What the
Continental Congress
thought about
the Greek Language
________________
On the subject of the Greek language, periodical writer George Bailey had this to say in his article, “Greece and Turkey: The Second Round” (The Reporter, 33:14-18 S 9 ’65):
“Shortly after the American Declaration of Independence, a motion was introduced in the Continental Congress to adopt Greek as the national language. Many of the Founding Fathers considered Greek to be the most fitting form of expression for the direct successor in spirit to the Athenian Republic. The motion was defeated by one vote. Benjamin Franklin, one of the dissenters, explained that he considered it more practical for the Americans to keep English and let the British learn Greek.”
[Edit. note. In this instance, Benjamin Franklin appears to have fallen short of the mark: Notwithstanding his respected right to dissent, it seems that rather than to rely upon well elaborated reason he resorted to misplaced sarcasm to support his explanation. This, by necessity, begs the question whether Americans should not be enriched with a wider and more versatile education. Practicality is never at risk in an educated environment.]
To know the Greek language enriches the meaning that words attempt to convey—not only because of the alphabet that the Greeks created by animating the static markings of Phoenician shopping lists. Parallel to the conceptual essence of that alphabet, the Greek language to a great extent is a logical wording system that flows with the natural psychological and thought patterns of the user. Learned the correct way (including basic grammar), the Greek language is apt to remain vivid in the mind for a long time even after years of non-use. Retention is based on the logical content and essence of the words rather than on the memorization of sounds or word images: Its words describe meanings, rather than meanings describe words—like labels that are memorized, or computer formats and mathematical formulas. That is, Greek words are the creation of the inner person in the way that one reacts, feels, and thinks about the environment; and they are applicable in practical as well as in abstract circumstances. Greek words are not borrowed to be attached to a particular need in a colorless and uneventful way—the way a pot maker seeks to attach a handle to a pot. Greek words are rich, creative, and expressive of life. Small wonder, when the Greeks came to meet him, Jesus knew time was at hand that his message would be spread: “The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified” (John 12:23).]
Greek words are poetry uncomposed.
____________________________________________
NOTE:
Historical allegations are not facts
when supported by repeated allusions to what things
seem to be.
Such an occasion is
observed in a newspaper article by the title, Greek Katharevousa: Just a
Legend [katharevousa or
καθαρεύουσα refers to
literary
Greek].
The said article was published on the first page
of issue 396, vol. 8 of May 14, 2005 of the
National Herald {Εθνικός
Κήρυξ).
The article attempted to debunk as mere legend the
rejection of Greek at the time of the language debate by the Continental
Congress. Furthermore, it is noted that the article is a simple repetition
of just one more earlier opinion by a writer on the
subject, namely, Lewis Menchen (1880-1956) according to the article, and does
nothing to produce any primary source evidence that may affect the account of
the event one way or another.
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