Re: Beginners: how are you learning? how is it going?
Posted: June 5th, 2015, 1:28 am
I realize this thread is quite old, but wanted to inquire a bit into this subject.
Several years ago I was reading a heavily exegetical work edited by Kostenberger & Schreiner. The authors kept using syntactical references (I didn't even really know what syntax was at the time ) to the infinitive verb + οὐδὲ + infinitive verb construct. Every time I would come to a Greek word I would just read over it & attempt to figure out the word via context.
Finally, I said, "Okay, I'm going to at least *try* to learn greek & just see how it progresses." So, I started listening to Mounce on-line & bought his book BBG. I learned the vocabulary, how to read the language (though not always able to translate), and made much progress in understanding the relationship between mood-tense, the function of the nominative case vs. the accusative, genitive, dative, vocative (though still not clear on how to distinguish the vocative from, say, the dative .
I worked through Mounce's BBG up until I learned the article paradigm - then I burned out (I know - too feint-hearted 'eh ? ). During this time I also took classes from Mounce's free courses on-line, which really helped as well. Then, I read about the book entitled "Greek for the Rest of Us" by Mounce. I purchased & read it (as well as following along in some classes) & really learned a lot from this book.
I have all of the standard grammars & lexicons: Wallace's GGBB, BDF, Dana & Mantey, Mounce, BDAG, LXX, NET Full-Notes, Louw-Nida, etc., etc....all of which have really helped.
Conclusion of the matter for me? Slowly still learning as I go along & to be honest, it can be overwhelming at times (been working through verbs in Mounce's Greek For the Rest of Us & when I got to the augments I felt that old sinking feeling again that perhaps this is just too much for me. The further I progress the more I realize that you have to pay attention to every single letter in word - not to even mention the significance of word-order (syntax) in translation-proper.
Then there is the ever nettlesome question of how to distinguish between a 1st or 2nd Aorist (or even how to recognize an Aorist?), the approximately 12-20 different forms of the genitive, the varying forms of the dative, etc., etc. Yes, to be honest I lose the heart sometimes, but, still, there is something very intriguing about Koine' to me & I try to read at least a little from the GNT every day or so.
The rewarding part is that recently while on a plane I picked up my iPad & just started reading a Greek text in I Cor. (with no tools) & was able to accurately translate the whole passage without ANY assistance ! Felt very rewarding - but, to be honest, it does get overwhelming when working through verbs & syntax. But, this forum is an unbelievable help (also just acquired the Discovery Bible with the in-depth word definitions by Drs. Gleason Archer & Gary Hill, which is also helpful).
Funny thing is, several times before preaching I've been introduced by well-meaning men as a "Greek-scholar" !? I wince in embarrassment, knowing how laughable that is to *anyone* with a cursory knowledge of Koine'. Tks. for letting me vent my frustration .
Several years ago I was reading a heavily exegetical work edited by Kostenberger & Schreiner. The authors kept using syntactical references (I didn't even really know what syntax was at the time ) to the infinitive verb + οὐδὲ + infinitive verb construct. Every time I would come to a Greek word I would just read over it & attempt to figure out the word via context.
Finally, I said, "Okay, I'm going to at least *try* to learn greek & just see how it progresses." So, I started listening to Mounce on-line & bought his book BBG. I learned the vocabulary, how to read the language (though not always able to translate), and made much progress in understanding the relationship between mood-tense, the function of the nominative case vs. the accusative, genitive, dative, vocative (though still not clear on how to distinguish the vocative from, say, the dative .
I worked through Mounce's BBG up until I learned the article paradigm - then I burned out (I know - too feint-hearted 'eh ? ). During this time I also took classes from Mounce's free courses on-line, which really helped as well. Then, I read about the book entitled "Greek for the Rest of Us" by Mounce. I purchased & read it (as well as following along in some classes) & really learned a lot from this book.
I have all of the standard grammars & lexicons: Wallace's GGBB, BDF, Dana & Mantey, Mounce, BDAG, LXX, NET Full-Notes, Louw-Nida, etc., etc....all of which have really helped.
Conclusion of the matter for me? Slowly still learning as I go along & to be honest, it can be overwhelming at times (been working through verbs in Mounce's Greek For the Rest of Us & when I got to the augments I felt that old sinking feeling again that perhaps this is just too much for me. The further I progress the more I realize that you have to pay attention to every single letter in word - not to even mention the significance of word-order (syntax) in translation-proper.
Then there is the ever nettlesome question of how to distinguish between a 1st or 2nd Aorist (or even how to recognize an Aorist?), the approximately 12-20 different forms of the genitive, the varying forms of the dative, etc., etc. Yes, to be honest I lose the heart sometimes, but, still, there is something very intriguing about Koine' to me & I try to read at least a little from the GNT every day or so.
The rewarding part is that recently while on a plane I picked up my iPad & just started reading a Greek text in I Cor. (with no tools) & was able to accurately translate the whole passage without ANY assistance ! Felt very rewarding - but, to be honest, it does get overwhelming when working through verbs & syntax. But, this forum is an unbelievable help (also just acquired the Discovery Bible with the in-depth word definitions by Drs. Gleason Archer & Gary Hill, which is also helpful).
Funny thing is, several times before preaching I've been introduced by well-meaning men as a "Greek-scholar" !? I wince in embarrassment, knowing how laughable that is to *anyone* with a cursory knowledge of Koine'. Tks. for letting me vent my frustration .