uncarnetmaisvirtuel:

Each time I struggle with ancien greek I remember Michel de Montaigne. He lived during the Renaissance, in France. He was the mayor of Bordeaux, one of the famous philosophers of his time (well known for the Essays), and also probably one of the best latinists (latin was his mother tongue, because his father wanted the best for him. But yes, that’s hardcore).

This man was brilliant (he would disagree with that, tough, he was prettry modest), and yet, when he mentions ancient greek in the Essays, it’s often to say that he doesn’t understand it at all. Or, alternatively, to criticize how it was learned (seriously. There are funny moments where he make lists of all the irregularities students are supposed to know and the (corporal) punishment they received if they where unable to recite everything, and THAT’S RIDICULOUS), or to say latin is clear and pure whereas greek is a mess. Not to mention he quotes latin authors in their tongue all the time, but greek authors in greek? Almost nothing (There are some quotes, but he prefers to explain the philosophers’ ideas in french).

So, if the only thing you can stutter in front of a greek text is “uh?”, please remember that Montaigne, one of the greatest spirits of France, was like “uh?” too. 

can i add 

i met a very talented philologist, aka a guy whose job is to work on ancient manuscripts, and he jokingly said that i should study philology too. i laughed and said, “oh god no – im way too awful at greek!” and he said, in all seriousness: “oh, me too. actually, we’re all way to awful at greek.” 

so, yeah. greek is just…….. like that