Greek language teacher with MA in Linguistics is looking forward to meeting you and introducing you to the fascinating world of the Greek language!

Find out more about Marina

• Do you speak this language fluently because of your origins or because a teacher inspired you to learn?

  Greek is my native language. Nonetheless, I strongly believe one should explore further his native language like he would do with a foreign one! Greek has many hidden treasures, as long as you are passionate and know where to search. And that should be one of the most important missions of a teacher!
  
  If someone inspired me, that would be my parents, who came to Greece many years ago and learnt Greek as a second language, the same way I teach now Greek as a second/foreign language to students like once were my parents!

• Can you name a living, historical or fictional character that you think is the emblematic representative of the language's culture?

  A big part of a language's culture is strongly connected to music. That's why, in my opinion, the musicians Manos Hatzidakis and Mikis Theodorakis are among the most important representatives of Greek culture. They have both composed some of the most beautiful and deeply meaningful songs/melodies Greece has to offer, together of course with numerous extremely important artists, like Markos Vamvakaris, Vasilis Tsitsanis, Giorgos Zabetas, Stelios Kazantzidis, Manos Loizos, Stavros Xarchakos, Nikos Gatsos, just to name a few. Try listening to the songs Mia poli magiki, Ta pedia tou Pirea, Odos Oniron, Omorfi poli, and you should know what I am talking about!
  
  We shouldn't forget to mention also Melina Merkouri, a Greek actress, singer, activist, and politician who strongly advocated the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Athens. “I hope to see the marbles back in Athens before I die; but if they come later, I shall be reborn”

• Is there a typical word, phrase, tradition or behaviour in the language that you particularly like?

  Κάθαρση, μεράκι, νόστος, αρμονία, ζωή. These would be some of my favorite words. Κάθαρση (katharsi) means mental and moral purification. Μεράκι (meraki) would be translated as passion for something, doing something with love and care. Νόστος (nostos) means returning home after a long absence. Αρμονία (armonia) is of course harmony, concordance, balance. And nothing needs to be said about ζωή (zoi), life!
  
  Two of my most favorite Greek proverbs would be Το καλό πράγμα αργεί να γίνει (to kalo pragma argi na gini), meaning that something good takes time to happen, and Τα πολλά λόγια είναι φτώχια (ta pola logia ine ftochia), many words is poverty, talk is cheap.

• Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  Greek is among the oldest languages in the world, which makes it amazingly wise and rich! So many ways to say the same thing, so many choices to express the deepest feelings, such a remarkable flexibility in the word order! Greek is surely a language worth learning and speaking!

• 5) What is the main difficulty in learning this language and what can help the process of learning?

  One of the most difficult parts of Greek language is the grammar, especially concerning the conjugation of nouns and verbs. But everything seems easier if you have fun while learning! That's why I focus on preparing and using many different types of games, like hangman games, quizzes, and memory games, together with a wide variety of audios and songs, which are extremely helpful in both revising the grammar and learning new vocabulary.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your language learning or your days at school.

  As is the case in all languages, the lyrics of songs are very often misheard, with hilarious results! When I was young, at school, we sang a song called Το ναυτάκι του Αιγαίου (to naftaki tou Egeou = the little sailor of Aegean sea), but all I heard was Το αφτάκι του Αιγαίου (to aftaki tou Egeou = the little ear of Aegean sea), and I couldn't help imagining a sea full of ears!
  
  Another hilarious fact was me insisting that the correct form was πέντερα (pendera) instead of πέντε (pende = five), following τέσσερα (tesera = four)!

• How has travel or a specific trip helped you to increase your skill and knowledge of the language?

  Having travelled to many places in Greece, I have always paid attention to the different ways people speak, creating different idioms or even dialects (for example, the dialect of Crete or Cyprus). I believe this to be one of the most interesting parts of a language, since we are all taught and used to speaking/hearing the form spoken in the capital city. Getting in touch with the various idioms and dialects of Greek, my knowledge of the language was significantly increased, and, most importantly, I had the chance to break down some of my stereotypical beliefs about what's right and what's "wrong" in a language.

• What makes you a Superprof in language?

  Having graduated from the Faculty of Greek Philology of the University of Athens, and holding a master's degree in Linguistics, my love for the languages in general and the Greek language specifically was "completed", surrounded by scientific terms and proof. Many "whys" finally got answers, and new ones were born! As I teach, I also keep being taught and exploring all the hidden treasures and the limitless capabilities of the Greek language!