Difference Between Koine Greek and Modern Greek

Koine Greek vs Modern Greek

About 15 million people around the world, especially in Greece and Cyprus, speak Greek.

The language of Greek has been developed through many centuries. Koine Greek was the language that was spoken during the post-classical antiquity (300 BC to 300 AD). Koine Greek was developed from the Attic dialect. It is said that Koine Greek was developed within the armies of Alexander the Great. Koine can be said to be the first supra-regional dialect in Greece and served as a colloquial speech for the Near East and eastern Mediterranean region during the Roman period. Koine can be termed as the immediate ancestor to modern Greek. This language is also called biblical, New Testament or patristic Greek as it was the language used in the New Testament and of church fathers.

The grammar and pronunciation of modern Greek has traces in Koine Greek. The period of Koine Greek can be called a period of transition. Though in the beginning, Koine Greek was identical to classical Greek, it can be seen that the language had more resemblance to modern Greek than the ancient Greek during the later periods.

When comparing the two Greek languages, Koine Greek was much more practical than academic. Though modern Greek is used now, it has elements of academic traces. Koine Greek has a simplified grammar, and the sentence construction was simple. While Koine Greek is considered to be the language of life, modern Greek can be termed as the language of the books.

There are some differences in the grammar between Koine Greek and modern Greek. In Koine, the future tense has been retreated, which means that alternative forms are not present. But in the case of modern Greek, the future tense is very prevalent. Modern Greek is basically based on demotic Greek and also has traits of katharevousa.

Summary:

1.The language of Greek has been developed through many centuries. Koine Greek was the language that was spoken during the post-classical antiquity.
2.Koine Greek was developed from the Attic dialect. Modern Greek is basically based on demotic Greek and also has traits of katharevousa.
3.The grammar and pronunciation of modern Greek has traces in Koine Greek.
4.There are some differences in the grammar between Koine Greek and modern Greek.
5.When comparing the two Greek languages, Koine Greek was much more practical than academic.
6.Koine can be termed as the immediate ancestor to modern Greek.

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