Insight or Perspective: If we lose the language we lose everything!

·

By Eleni Elefterias.

(PART 1)

A lot has been written about the need to preserve our Greek language and culture in Australia.

Many Greek associations, even those set up from before the great influx of migration on the 1950’s and 1960’s, have as part of their constitutions the main goal being the preservation of Greek language and culture.

However, as the years go by it is the Greek language that is suffering the greatest loss. Why does this happen?

Over the next few weeks this column will specifically look at Greek education in Australia from pre-school to University level and beyond and discuss some important issues such as the relationship of language and culture to identity.

What subsequent generations of Greek Australians born in Australia, to which category I also belong, consider important to them is of utmost importance as is the attitude of first-generation Greeks as well. 

As Australian born Greeks our identity is made up of cultural and familial aspects which we decide to choose from. For some keeping the Orthodox faith is more important than keeping the language for example. For others, learning to speak is more important than learning to read. 

If you are interested in finding a way to keep the language alive and active for your children then I hope that this column will be of particular assistance to you. 

Why is it that when children are young many parents send them to Greek school to learn the basics. In Early Stage 1 (Kindy) and Stage 1 learning (Years 1 and 2) is a lot of fun but as they enter years 3 and 4 and beyond the excitement subsides and numbers start to dwindle?

What can we do about it? Next week I offer some explanation and advice. 

*Eleni Elefterias-Kostakidis is a teacher of Modern Greek and University lecturer. 

Read Eleni Elefterias’ column ‘Insight or Perspective’ in Greek, every Saturday in The Greek Herald’s print edition or get your subscription here.

greek film festival sydney new

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

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

Advertisement

Latest News

Kostas Sloukas praises Greek Australian fans as Panathinaikos arrive in Sydney

Panathinaikos BC touched down in Sydney this week for the second leg of the 7th Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament.

From family legacy to the Federal Court: A look into Justice Anastasis Liveris’ legal career

In an exclusive interview with The Greek Herald, the Greek Australian judge reflected on how he felt to achieve this major career milestone.

The Greek influence on Australian television

Among the many communities that helped shape TV culture were Greeks, whose presence both on and off screen left a lasting mark.

Critically endangered monk seal welcomes newborn on Karpathos island

The first Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) birth of 2025 has been confirmed on the island of Karpathos.

Campaigners celebrate as Milos luxury hotel project is halted

Environmental activists have welcomed the suspension of a controversial five-star hotel project on Milos’s world-famous “moon beach”.

You May Also Like

St George Greek Orthodox church in Rose Bay opposes council’s proposed heritage listing

The Board of St George Greek Orthodox Church in Rose Bay have opposed Woollahra Council's proposal to list the church for heritage protection

Candlelight vigil held in Victoria to mark centenary of the Asia Minor Catastrophe

A candlelight vigil at the steps of Parliament House of Victoria was held to commemorate 100 years since the Asia Minor Catastrophe.

Athens jumps 19 places in the global liveability index

The Greek capital city of Athens has jumped nineteen places in the Global Liveability Index 2022 to 73rd place.