The First Written Language
The earliest form of written Greek language is associated with the Minoan Knossos Palace on the island of Crete, where the Linear A script was used. Although Linear A remains largely undeciphered, it represents a significant milestone in the history of Greek writing. By the 12th century BCE, a new script known as Linear B was developed by the Mycenaean civilization. Unlike its predecessor, Linear B has been successfully deciphered and reveals a language that was written from left to right, a practice that continued into the 9th and 8th centuries BCE. Remarkably, this early script shares striking similarities with the modern Greek language.
The Classical Period
During the Classical period, the Greek language evolved into various dialects, each associated with different city-states. Among these, the Ionic and Attic dialects were the most influential. Athens, having established itself as the political, economic, and cultural heart of the Greek world, saw the Attic dialect rise to prominence as a common language. This linguistic influence spread even further after the conquests of Alexander the Great, with Attic becoming widely spoken across the vast territories of the East. The blending of dialects during this time gave birth to the Hellenistic Koine, a common language that would later serve as the official language of the Roman Empire and the foundation for Medieval and Modern Greek. The New Testament’s original language, Koine, played a pivotal role in the evolution of the Greek language through the Byzantine era.
Katharevousa and Dimotiki
As Greece transitioned into a modern state in 1829, the issue of which language should be used in administration and education became pressing. After four centuries under Ottoman rule, Greece had developed an oral culture with no standardized written language. The idea of reviving the ancient Attic language appealed to many philhellenes, who saw it as a way to reconnect with Greece’s illustrious past. However, practical considerations made this vision unattainable. Greek scholar Adamantios Korais proposed a compromise: modernize the spoken language of the time. This suggestion led to the creation of Katharevousa, a purified form of Greek that aimed to bridge the gap between ancient and modern language.
The 20th Century Language
The 20th century saw the Greek language debate take on significant political implications. The tension between the proponents of Katharevoussa and those advocating for Dimotiki, the vernacular Greek, escalated to the point of street riots. Many viewed Katharevoussa as a tool of oppression, used to deny the common people access to education and public life. Under the dictatorship of Papadopoulos, this debate intensified, reflecting broader social and political divisions. The issue was finally resolved in 1976, when the post-dictatorship government adopted Dimotiki as the official language for education and administration. Despite this standardization, Greece’s regions continue to boast rich oral dialects, each with its unique local accent, preserving the country’s linguistic diversity.
