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Language In addition to Greek, people employed in the tourist trade generally speak some English, French or German and it is relatively easy to get by in Athens without attempting to say anything more complicated than moussaka or retsina. However, anyone who wishes to elevate him- or herself above the humble tourísta should attempt to learn at least a few basic phrases in Greek. The language itself deserves this mark of respect; not only is it beautiful, but it is also one of the foundation stones of almost all other European languages. Moreover, getting around the city is much easier once the Greek alphabet has been mastered. In the twentieth century, Greek suffered from a bitter struggle between Dhimotikí (popular Greek) and KatharÉvoussa (cleansed Greek). The latter was introduced by the first rulers of independent Greece, who sought to recreate the purity of their classical past by reinstating long-defunct vocabulary and grammar. Dhimotikí, the form of the language that had naturally evolved over Greece's long history was repressed and KatharÉvoussa became the official language of government, business and the professions. In recent years, however, Dhimotikí has reasserted itself as the national language and is used in all forms of life with the exceptions of the church and the legal profession. Phrases Yes - NÉh No - Óhi Hello - Giásou Goodbye - Andío sas Please - Parakaló Thank you - Efharistó My name is ... - Meh lÉne ... How are you? - Ti kánis / ti kánete? I'm very well - Kalá ímeh I feel ill - Ímeh arostos How much does it cost? - Póso káni? Do you speak English? - Miláte anglika? I don't understand - Dhen katalavÉno Cheers - Giamas Where is ...? - Pou ine ...? Entrance - Issodos Exit - Exodos Open - Aniktó Closed - Klistó Toilets - ToualÉtes Doctor - Iatrós Hotel - Ksenodhohío Restaurant - Estiatorio/ taverna Beer - Bira Wine - Krasi Menu - Kataloghos Today - Símera Tomorrow - Ávrio Monday - DeftÉra Tuesday - Tríti Wednesday - Tetárti Thursday - PÉmpti Friday - Paraskebí Saturday - Sábato Sunday - Kiriakí One - Éna Two - Dhío Three - Trís/tria Four - TÉseres /tÉsera Five - PÉnde Six - Éksi Seven - Eftá Eight - Okhtó Nine - Enyá Ten - DhÉka Twenty - Íkosi Thirty - Triánda Forty - Saránda Fifty - Penínda Sixty - Eksínda Seventy - Evdhomínda Eighty - Ogdhónda Ninety - Enenínda One Hundred - Ekató One Thousand - Hílies |
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