In honor of International Greek Language Day (February 9), Eleni Karantzola, professor of linguistics at the University of the Aegean (specializing in the history of the Greek language and language policy), joins the program Historical Walks with Marilena Katsimi to discuss the journey of the Greek language through time, from the pre-revolutionary years to today.
How has the Greek language evolved from antiquity to the present day, and how truly connected are modern Greek and ancient Greek? What does a common language mean for a people, and who decides what the official language of a state is? What is language, and how does it differ from dialect and idiom?
Why was the dominance of the demotic Greek the result of a debate lasting more than a century and a half? Why do children spend more hours learning ancient Greek than modern Greek? Can someone truly feel Greek without knowing the language?
Is the Greek language becoming poorer, or is it simply changing? In a world that is constantly evolving, why do some languages prevail while others disappear?
Through this journey, we discover that the Greek language, like any language, is not merely a means of communication—it is a carrier of identity, memory, culture, and historical continuities and discontinuities.
Broadcast: Saturday, February 15, 13:00-14:00 (Athens time)
Produced and presented by Marilena Katsimi
