Influence of Greek Roots in English Learning. Essay Sample and References

Overview:

The influence of Greek roots on the English language is substantial and multifaceted, playing a significant role in various domains including vocabulary, grammar, syntax, and even in the realm of idioms and expressions.

 

Key Aspects and Points

• Vocabulary Influence: Many English words are derived from Greek, especially in fields like science, medicine, politics, and the arts. For example:
  • Scientific terms like “psychology” (from “psyche” and “logia”) and “thermodynamics” (from “therme” and “dynamis”).
  • Political terms like “aristocracy” (from “aristos” and “kratos”) and “oligarchy” (from “oligos” and “archos”).
  • Artistic terms like “tragedy” and “comedy” originate from Greek words “tragos” and “komos”.
  • Everyday language includes words like “panic”, “kudos”, and “character”, which have Greek origins.
  • Musical terms like “melody” (from “melodia”) and “symphony” (from “symphonia”) are also Greek in origin​​​​​​.
• Grammatical Impact: Greek has influenced English grammar and syntax. Greek’s inflected structure, where the grammatical function of a word is indicated by its ending, has impacted how English forms verb tenses and noun declensions. Additionally, Greek prefixes and suffixes are commonly used in English to create new words or modify existing ones, such as “tele-” (distant), “micro-” (small), and “anti-” (against)​​.
• Mythological and Literary Influence: Greek mythology and literature have left a significant mark on English. Many words and phrases have origins in Greek mythology, like “nemesis”, “hubris”, and “eureka”. Phrases and idioms like “Achilles’ heel” and “Trojan horse” are derived from Greek epic poems “Iliad” and “Odyssey”​​.
• Everyday Phrases and Idioms: Common expressions in English often have Greek origins, reflecting the lasting impact of Greek mythology and history. Examples include “Midas touch”, “Herculean task”, “Pandora’s box”, and “Achilles’ heel”​​.
• Widespread Lexical Influence: It’s estimated that over 150,000 English words are derived from Greek. This widespread influence is evident not only in specialized fields but also in everyday language, underscoring the deep and enduring connection between Greek and English​​.

In essence, the Greek language has significantly shaped English, embedding itself into various aspects of the language and culture, making it a key component of English language learning and understanding.

Suggested sources and references:

• Kavaklı, N. (2016). Intrinsic Difficulties in Learning Common Greek-Originated English Words: The Case of Pluralization. In Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies (Vols. 12, pp. 110-123). Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/62435da3db3e1d933fae0c186ea28eee129af9a0
• Akarslan, K., & Bedir, H. (2019). The effects of teaching word roots on the long term retention of English vocabulary (Vol. 1, pp. 1-11). https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/baebf1c0834ce295001a5dd51bcf7dfcea19d708
• Huelin, L. (2023). Designing Vocabulous: a Case Study in Classics, EdTech and English Literacy. In Journal of Classics Teaching. Journal of Classics Teaching. https://doi.org/10.1017/s2058631023000661
• Obdalova, O., Minakova, L., & Soboleva, A. V. (2020). Developing Academic Skills via Greek and Latin Vocabulary Teaching (pp. 376-386). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-47415-7_40
• Yagenich, L. On the Classification of Veterinary Medical Terminology in Modern English (pp. 342-351). https://doi.org/10.31862/2073-9613-2020-1-342-351
• Kelly, R. (1991). The Graeco-Latin Vocabulary of Formal English: Some Pedagogical Implications. In RELC Journal (Vols. 22, pp. 69-83). RELC Journal. https://doi.org/10.1177/003368829102200105

Suggested reading:

• Retter, S. (2018). English: Learning with Root Words. Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. http://books.google.com/books?id=Vxq0tgEACAAJ&dq=Greek+roots+in+English+learning&hl=&source=gbs_api
• Rasinski, ., & Timothy, . (2017). Greek and Latin Roots: Keys to Building Vocabulary. Shell Education. https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=MkM7DgAAQBAJ&source=gbs_api
• Green, H., & Green, T. (1994). The Greek and Latin Roots of English. Ardsley House. http://books.google.com/books?id=dtBEPgAACAAJ&dq=Greek+roots+in+English+learning&hl=&source=gbs_api
• Zaslavsky, R. (2016). The Latin and Greek Roots of English Words Keyed to Selected and Targeted Vocabulary. Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. http://books.google.com/books?id=1iPwjwEACAAJ&dq=Greek+roots+in+English+learning&hl=&source=gbs_api
• Fitzpatrick, J. (2004). Greek and Latin Roots, eBook. Creative Teaching Press. https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=6yWuE8nVc28C&source=gbs_api

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