An ode to the Greek language by a teacher’s daughter

·

My mother, the teacher, always reminded me we left Istanbul, where I was born, to come to Australia, for the sake of our language.

Her first teaching gig at Kontoskali, Turkey, where she later became a principal. Her ex-students, now grown up, had a fan page for her on Facebook.
She taught Modern Greek to students at Kensington Primary School, and particularly enjoyed teaching other nationalities the Greek language

In Turkey back then, speaking Greek meant hushed tones; and cautious glances over our shoulders lest we be called giaours (non-believers). Despite this, for generations the Greek language survived – possibly as an act of defiance.

In our home, language was everything. My father’s Istanbul flavour of Greek was laced with centuries of Byzantine echoes. His heavy ‘l’ sound, clashed with my mother’s strict, formal instruction and efforts to be succinct – never forgetting all they had taught her at the Arsakeio Teachers Academy during the three years she lived in Athens. She also recalled Athenians labelling her τουρκόσπορη (Turkish seed) but that just made her more resolute – to succeed regardless of whether she was a ‘tourkospori’, ‘giaour’ or, later, ‘wog’.

Her 1980 class at St Spyridon College, with Fr Steven Scoutas.

She was a teacher, a guardian of the polytonic system when it was still fighting the slow death of nuance. She mourned the day I partied at no longer having to learn those nasty accents – psili, daseia and perispomeni. Abolished finally, though she still made me learn them regardless in the hope that this decision would be revoked.

Damiani (Noula) Sinanidis nee Apistola outside Arsakeio Teachers Academy where she was called tourkospori but got to meet Queen Freideriki and King Constantine who was dating Aliki Vouyiouklaki at the time.

She hated “Gringlish” with a vengeance, that lazy mix of Greek and English, fearing we’d lose our native tongue if we weren’t careful.

Her fears seemed unfounded at the time, but – as in most things – she was infuriatingly right.

A language untended fades, slipping through the cracks of generations.

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

From Metallica to Maritime: The many lives of Greek shipping tycoon Harry Vafias

Though Greek shipping tycoon, Harry Vafias, spends much time working, it certainly isn't a case of 'all work and no play.’

‘I want them to know their word matters’: Peter Georgiou stands against gender violence

Peter Georgiou, a real estate agent from Rushcutters Bay and father of four-year-old twins Leila and Lola, believes change begins at home.

Thessaloniki’s Byzantine walls to shine with new light project

Thessaloniki’s iconic Byzantine Walls are set to be illuminated under a major cultural initiative announced by the Greek Ministry of Culture.

Greek World Heritage Cities face rising climate threats

Iconic Greek cities—Athens, Thessaloniki, Corfu, Rhodes, and Patmos—face serious climate threats, according to a new UNESCO-backed report.

Are apps like Duolingo enough to learn Greek, or do we need a tutor?

For many people who want to learn conversational Greek, an app, can be a very useful addition to your program.

You May Also Like

NSW Premier was aware of concerns about Eleni Petinos MP months before sacking

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet admits he was made aware of concerns about ex-minister Eleni Petinos in the months before she was sacked.

Teachers in elite Sydney schools use private Pfizer hubs as those in hotspots remain at risk

Teachers in elite Sydney schools have been vaccinated using private Pfizer hubs while those in hotspots remain at risk.

Pfizer’s Greek CEO, Albert Bourla, wins $1 million Genesis Prize for vaccine development

Greek Pfizer CEO, Albert Bourla, has been awarded the Genesis Prize 2022 for his efforts in leading the development of a COVID-19 vaccine.