The influence of Greek on the English language
The Greek language has had an important influence on the English language. A significant portion of the English lexicon is either taken directly from Greek, borrowed from Greek indirectly through other languages like Latin, French or German or is formed out of the various parts of common Greek words. Ex: Antique, idol, dialogue, geography, grammar, architect, economy, encyclopaedia, telephone, microscope...
Christianity
Many Anglo-Saxons were converted to Christianity after 597 (when Saint Augustine landed in Britain). To express religious ideas previously unknown to the Anglo-Saxons, they imported many words directly from the original New Testament such as "church" from Greek kyriake, "pertaining to the Lord", "ecclesiastical" from Greek ekklesia, originally an Athenian assembly, and also "apostle," "monk," "prophet" etc. Other words were derived from Latin, the language of the Christian Church in Western Europe at the time. Many of these words had in turn been derived from Greek. For example, English angel, derived from Latin angelus, was first derived from Greek angelos, meaning "mes
Renaissance [1500–1625]
During this period, the study of classics was stressed. The classicists of that time intentionally tried to enrich the English language by borrowing from such classic languages as Greek and Latin. For example, about 19 percent of Hamlet's soliloquy (Hamlet, Act III, Scene i) by William Shakespeare is from the classical languages Latin and Greek.
Many scholars took pride in using Greek letters. Examples: acme, apotheosis, acronym, pathos, phone, xylophone
The Alphabet
The most obvious imprint Greek has left on English involves the alphabet. Many letters in English have been borrowed from ancient Greek; for example, the English letters “a” and “b” are variations on the Greek letters “alpha” and “omega." Indeed, the word 'alphabet' is formed of the first two letters of the Greek alphabet, 'alpha' and 'beta'. And while most of the English alphabet has its origins in ancient Latin, a good deal of the Latin alphabet is a transliteration of Greek. For example, the “ch” combination in English is copied from Latin, but the Latin form was an interpretation of the Greek “chi." Many words in English, like chemistry and charisma, are formed from this coupling (combination) of letters.
Directly Borrowed Vocabulary
1. The influence of Greek vocabulary on English can be seen in technical, academic language.
Examples: diagnosis, analysis, synthesis, antithesis and method.
2. The names of academic disciplines are often formed by combining the Greek word “logos” with another Greek word.
Examples: “Logos” means the study of something.
Geology combines “geo," (Earth) with “logos” to mean the study of the Earth.
Modern science
Science as a whole often uses Greek when forming words to express new ideas. Many medical terms, occupations, and college courses are directly derived from the Greek language.
Examples: A Pediatrician (Greek paidos, child) a doctor who works with children
A hypodermic needle is so-called because it goes under (Greek “hypo”) the skin (Greek “derma”).
Even the title of a doctor of female ills, gynaecology, is from Greek “gyne” means “woman”.
Chemistry is also greatly influenced by Greek. Around half of the periodic table is Greek in origin.
Examples: arsenic, calcium, copper, helium, hydrogen, iodine, magnesium etc.
Recent additions: psychoanalysis, psychiatry and geriatrics (the science of aged persons)
Indirectly Borrowed Vocabulary
Greek heavily influenced Latin, which was the dominant language of cultural exchange in Europe for centuries. Approximately half of all English words come from Latin and a substantial portion of those have their ultimate origin in Greek. Much of what English has borrowed from French and German also came from Greek through the medium of Latin.
Examples: "magnify," “bonus" “allegory”, “anaesthesia”, “chaos”, “cycle”, “drama”, “epoch”, “metaphor”, phenomenon and “fame” [Greek Latin English]
Grammar
The structure of the English language borrows heavily from Greek. English grammar is largely copied from German, which has been heavily influenced by Greek. Even the term “grammar” is Greek which means, "that which pertains to writing in Greek."
The most elemental grammatical concepts in English like subject, predicate, noun, pronoun, "verb," "adverb," adjective, "article," preposition "conjunction," and "interjection." are also basic to Greek.
Morphemes
Many English words are formed of parts of words (morphemes [the smallest unit of meaning in a language]) that originate from the Greek language.
Examples:
· phobia (fear of), as in arachnophobia – the fear of spiders
· micro (small), as in microscopic – so small it's hard to see
· demos (people) as in democracy – government by the people
Many terms of government
The ancient Greeks have supplied many facets of the first-world governments of the modern world. When one talks of monarchies and democracies, he is using words derived from Greek. "Treasurer," "chambers," and "parliament" are from Greek. Even the word "government" itself is from Greek. Foundational modern notions like democracy are inventions of ancient Greece.
Prefixes and suffixes.
1. Many conjugations of the word “auto” (prefix) are all originally Greek.
Examples: “autocracy,” “autonomy,” “autobiography” and “autograph”
2. Words that start with 'ph-' prefix are usually of Greek origin. Example: philosophy, physical, photo, phrase, philanthropy.
3. Suffixes such ‘-ism’ ‘-ize’ and ‘-ist’ all derive from Greek but can be added to words with all kinds of origins. In transforming the status of a word from verb to noun, or verb to adjective,
English expressions derived from Ancient Greek culture
Greek mythology has been very influential in Western culture, particularly its art and literature.
1. To have an 'Achilles heel' ( to have a weakness or vulnerable point)
Explanation: Achilles was a Greek hero and central character in Homer's epic poem, The Iliad. He was only vulnerable at his heel. Example sentence: I'm trying to eat more healthily, but chocolate is my Achilles heel.
2. The 'Midas touch' (a near-magical ability to succeed at anything one undertakes)
Explanation: The expression originates from a story of King Midas, who is remembered for his ability to turn everything he touched into gold. Example sentence: My brother's business is so successful, he has the Midas touch!
3. The idiom ‘crocodile tears’ has its roots in Greek antiquity. (to describe insincere expressions of sorrow)
Explanation:
The phrase comes from the popular ancient belief that crocodiles weep while eating their victims. Example sentence: The president shed crocodile tears while allowing the war to go on.
Thus the Greek language plays a significant role in its influence on the English language.
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