What is Greek diglossia?

Greek diglossia refers to the historical coexistence of two forms of the Greek language: Demotic, the everyday spoken language, and Katharevousa, a learned, formal version used in official and literary contexts. This duality persisted in Greece until the late 20th century.

How did Greek diglossia impact education in Greece?

Greek diglossia created significant educational challenges by forcing students to learn and navigate both Katharevousa (formal Greek) and Demotic (vernacular Greek), leading to confusion and additional cognitive load. This bifurcation often resulted in lower literacy rates and hindered effective communication and learning progress in schools.

How did Greek diglossia influence Greek literature?

Greek diglossia, with coexistence of Katharevousa and Demotic Greek, influenced Greek literature by creating a dynamic where writers chose between formal and vernacular styles. This divergence enriched literary expression and allowed authors to reflect different social, cultural, and political nuances.

When did Greek diglossia end?

Greek diglossia formally ended in 1976 when Demotic Greek was declared the official language of Greece, replacing Katharevousa.

What are the historical roots of Greek diglossia?

Greek diglossia roots back to the Hellenistic period when Koine Greek spread as a common language. Over centuries, a divide formed between the archaic written form, Katharevousa, and the evolving spoken vernacular, Demotic. This linguistic duality was formalized in the 19th century, persisting until the adoption of Demotic as the official language in 1976.

What were the political reasons behind the adoption of Katharevousa?

To facilitate trade and economic growth

What role did Classical Greek play during the Classical Period?

It was the language of art, philosophy, and science, forming the foundation for later variations.

Greek diglossia: Definition & Examples

Greek diglossia

Greek diglossia refers to the historical coexistence of two forms of the Greek language: the high variety (Katharevousa) and the low variety (Demotic). Katharevousa was used for formal writing and official purposes, while Demotic was used in everyday conversation. This linguistic dualism persisted until the late 20th century, when Demotic became the standard modern Greek language.

Get started

Definition of Greek Diglossia

Greek diglossia refers to the coexistence of two forms of the Greek language: High and Low. This phenomenon has played a significant role in Greek linguistics and culture.

High Greek (Katharevousa)

The High form of Greek, known as Katharevousa, is a purified version of the language. It was introduced in the 19th century as an attempt to cleanse the modern Greek language of foreign influences and align it more closely with classical Greek.

Katharevousa was used primarily in formal settings such as literature, government documents, and education.
It incorporated many elements from ancient Greek, making it more complex and less accessible to the average person.

Katharevousa literally translates to 'purified language'.

Low Greek (Demotic)

The Low form of Greek, known as Demotic, is the everyday spoken language of the Greek people. It evolved naturally over centuries and is simpler and more accessible than Katharevousa.

Demotic Greek is used in casual conversations, popular literature, and media.
In the latter half of the 20th century, Demotic Greek was recognized as the official language of Greece.

For instance, the word for 'book' in Demotic Greek is βιβλίο (vivlio), while in Katharevousa, it is βίβλος (vivos).

The conflict between Katharevousa and Demotic Greek led to the Greek Language Question (Γλωσσικό Ζήτημα), which was a central issue in Greek politics and culture for nearly two centuries. The debate revolved around whether the official language of Greece should be the more classical Katharevousa or the more popularly spoken Demotic. In 1976, Demotic Greek was finally legislated as the official language of Greece, ending the language dispute.

Historical Context of Greek Diglossia

Greek diglossia is deeply rooted in historical and cultural developments. Understanding its context helps you appreciate the interplay between the High and Low forms of the Greek language.

Ancient Greece and the Classical Period

During the Classical Period, Ancient Greek was the language of art, philosophy, and science. It formed the foundation for later variations of the Greek language.

Classical Greek was uniform and standardized, allowing for the flourishing of literature and thought.
This period saw the works of Homer, Plato, and Aristotle, establishing a linguistic legacy.

Classical Greek had various dialects, but Attic Greek became the most standardized form.

Hellenistic and Roman Periods

In the Hellenistic and Roman periods, Greek evolved into Koine Greek, a more simplified and widespread form used across the Mediterranean and Near East.

Koine Greek was accessible and practical, serving as the lingua franca of the region.
The New Testament of the Christian Bible was written in Koine Greek, spreading its influence further.

For example, whereas Classical Greek might use complex grammar, Koine Greek was simpler, making it easier for common people to learn and use.

Byzantine Empire and Medieval Period

During the Byzantine Empire, Greek culture and language saw a revival. Classical Greek influenced scholarly and religious texts, while the common people spoke a simpler form.

This era reinforced the division between High Greek (used in churches and courts) and Low Greek (spoken by the populace).
The influx of foreign words from Latin, Slavic, and Arabic marked this period.

Byzantine Empire: The eastern continuation of the Roman Empire, preserving Greek and Roman traditions until the fall of Constantinople in 1453.

Ottoman Empire and Modern Greece

Under Ottoman rule, Greek language fractured further. Regional dialects flourished, and the divide between Katharevousa and Demotic established itself firmly.

Katharevousa emerged as a means to rescue Greek from Turkish influences.
Post-independence, Greece struggled with linguistic identity, balancing tradition and modernity.

The influence of national independence movements in the 19th century cannot be underestimated. These movements emphasized the use of a purified language—Katharevousa—to rekindle Greek heritage and identity. However, this also highlighted social divides, as not everyone could access or utilize Katharevousa easily.

The linguistic divide became a symbol of wider cultural and social divisions in Greece.

Causes of Greek Diglossia

Understanding the causes of Greek diglossia requires exploring both linguistic and sociopolitical factors. These factors have shaped the distinct separation between High Greek (Katharevousa) and Low Greek (Demotic).

Historical Influences

The historical developments in Greece have significantly contributed to Greek diglossia. The following points highlight essential historical influences:

The Byzantine period saw the coexistence of Classical Greek for formal use and simpler Greek for daily communication.
The Ottoman occupation further stressed the need for a purified language to preserve Greek identity.

The fall of Constantinople in 1453 marked a significant turning point in Greek linguistic history.

Cultural and Social Factors

Cultural and social dynamics have also driven the bifurcation of the Greek language. Consider these points:

Katharevousa was adopted by the educated elite, aiming to revive the Classical Greek tradition.
Demotic Greek was the language of the general populace, evolving more naturally over time.

For example, newspapers and official documents were often written in Katharevousa, while folk songs and daily conversations used Demotic Greek.

Political Motivations

Political motivations also played a critical role in solidifying Greek diglossia. Key motivations include:

The desire to unify the nation by reconnecting with classical heritage post-independence.
The need to strengthen national identity amidst foreign rule and influences.

In the context of Greek nationalism, adopting Katharevousa was seen as an effort to cleanse the language from Ottoman and other foreign influences. This move not only aimed to revive Greek cultural heritage but also to instill a sense of pride and identity among Greeks. Intellectuals and national leaders believed that a language closer to Classical Greek would serve as a unifying force for the newly-established Greek state.

Educational Policies

Educational policies have also influenced Greek diglossia:

Katharevousa was the language of education for many years, leading to its formal acceptance.
Shifts toward educational reforms in the 20th century aimed to incorporate Demotic Greek to make education more accessible.

Educational reform: Changes made to the education system to improve its effectiveness and accessibility.

Examples of Greek Diglossia

Greek diglossia presents itself through various examples, reflecting the linguistic divide between Katharevousa and Demotic Greek. These examples demonstrate how language usage differs across formal and informal contexts.

Greek Diglossia Explained

Greek diglossia is characterized by the coexistence of two language forms: Katharevousa (High Greek) and Demotic (Low Greek). This phenomenon can be observed in several domains.

Domain	Katharevousa	Demotic
Government Documents	Used extensively for formality	Rarely used
Literature	Formal literary works	Popular literature, folk tales
Education	Historical educational texts	Modern educational materials
Media	Formal articles, news	Television shows, daily conversations

Consider the word for 'school':Katharevousa: σχολείον (scholeion)Demotic: σχολείο (scholeio)This simple difference illustrates the historical and linguistic divide.

The use of different forms of Greek can sometimes lead to confusion or social tension. For example, a person using Katharevousa in a completely informal setting might be perceived as overly formal or out of touch with everyday language. Conversely, using Demotic in a highly formal document could be seen as inappropriate. This highlights how deeply ingrained linguistic norms are within Greek society.

The Greek constitution, originally written in Katharevousa, is an example of formal usage in governmental contexts.

Greek diglossia - Key takeaways

Greek diglossia: Coexistence of High (Katharevousa) and Low (Demotic) forms of Greek language.
Katharevousa: High form of Greek used in formal settings; attempts to cleanse language of foreign influences.
Demotic: Low form of Greek, everyday spoken language; recognized as official language in latter half of 20th century.
Historical context: Influenced by periods like Byzantine and Ottoman, where High and Low forms were used.
Causes of Greek diglossia: Linguistic, sociopolitical, cultural, and educational factors shaping language separation.

Greek diglossia

StudySmarter Editorial Team