Introductory Ancient Greek Language/Lesson 2: Difference between revisions
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== Breathing Marks Explained == | == Breathing Marks Explained == | ||
Every Greek word that begins with a vowel will have something called a breathing mark. These look like apostrophes and can be either rough or smooth. | Every Greek word that begins with a vowel (α,ε,η,ι,ο,υ, and ω) will have something called a breathing mark. These look like apostrophes and can be either rough or smooth. | ||
If the breathing is rough then it is an apostrophe curved in the opposite direction. | '''Rough Breathings''' | ||
If the breathing is rough then it is an apostrophe curved in the opposite direction (ἑ,ἁ,ἡ, etc...) If a breathing is rough then the word is pronounced as if there were an /h/ in front of it. Thus, the Greek word for 'sleep' ὕπνος will be pronounced as [hupnos]. | |||
'''Smooth Breathings''' | |||
If the breathing mark is smooth (ἀ,ἐ,ὀ, etc...) then it is shaped exactly like an apostrophe and comes either slightly before the vowel or directly above. Smooth breathing marks simply mean there is no /h/ pronounciation. | |||
'''Exception''' | |||
These are present only when vowels are the first letter of the word except in the case of the letter rho (ρ). If rho is the first letter of the word then it always has a rough breathing mark. This is why most English derived words such as rhinoceros, rheumatism, and rhododendron have the /rh/ in front. | |||
You may notice the second mark after the breathing mark. | '''Accent Marks''' | ||
You may notice the second mark after the breathing mark in the word ὕπνος. This is an accent mark and you should just ignore it for now. | |||
Revision as of 04:31, 16 December 2006
Breathing Marks Explained
Every Greek word that begins with a vowel (α,ε,η,ι,ο,υ, and ω) will have something called a breathing mark. These look like apostrophes and can be either rough or smooth.
Rough Breathings If the breathing is rough then it is an apostrophe curved in the opposite direction (ἑ,ἁ,ἡ, etc...) If a breathing is rough then the word is pronounced as if there were an /h/ in front of it. Thus, the Greek word for 'sleep' ὕπνος will be pronounced as [hupnos].
Smooth Breathings If the breathing mark is smooth (ἀ,ἐ,ὀ, etc...) then it is shaped exactly like an apostrophe and comes either slightly before the vowel or directly above. Smooth breathing marks simply mean there is no /h/ pronounciation.
Exception These are present only when vowels are the first letter of the word except in the case of the letter rho (ρ). If rho is the first letter of the word then it always has a rough breathing mark. This is why most English derived words such as rhinoceros, rheumatism, and rhododendron have the /rh/ in front.
Accent Marks You may notice the second mark after the breathing mark in the word ὕπνος. This is an accent mark and you should just ignore it for now.