Pah-POOTS-yah

Trip Start Sep 07, 2008
1
16
148
Trip End Dec 09, 2008


Loading Map
Map your own trip!
Map Options
Show trip route
Hide lines
shadow

Flag of Greece  ,
Friday, September 12, 2008

Tonight the whole group went to a taverna for the welcome dinner. The conversation turned toward language and translation. Beautiful Basil, who was raised in the northeastern Greek region of Thrace and began studying English at the age of seven, proclaimed that her favorite English words were "vulnerable" and "chocolate," because, as she said, "the sounds fill up the mouth." My theory is that these words sound so unusually full to her because all the sounds are formed at the front of the mouth, whereas more Greek sounds are formed at the back of the mouth. For instance, English speakers say "Ahhhhhhhh," but Greeks say "Accchhhkk" from the throat.

My student Spencer said that his least favorite-sounding word in English was "moist," and Program Director's least favorite was "quarrel."

Personally, I think my favorite-sounding Greek word is "papoutsia" (shoes), and my favorite-sounding English word is "puffy." My least favorite-sounding English word is my own name when my husband says it, because if he's not calling me by my special nickname, I know I'm trouble.
Slideshow Print this entry Athens hotels

Comments

tricksie
tricksie on Sep 15, 2008 at 04:35PM

I'm really enjoying your blog!
And had to add that my favorite words (in English) are puma and gecko. :) (This is Sarah S. from SOU, btw.) Thanks for sharing so much of your Greek life with us all...

ellensiem
ellensiem on Sep 16, 2008 at 02:49AM

Tomorrow
Hey Alena,

I'm happy to hear from you. Will miss you at the faculty breakfast tomorrow. Let me know if you'd like me to send you some of the coffee...

Ellen

tiara316
tiara316 on Sep 16, 2008 at 06:45AM

Re: Tomorrow
> Let me know if you'd like me to send you some of the coffee...

I don't miss the coffee, but if you could Fed Ex me some of those little pinwheel hors d'oeuvres campus catering always offers, that'd be great. ;->

Add Comment