DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.9840#0059
PECULIAR DIALECT OF CRETE.
11
hammedan, even when no connexion of the kind really
exists between them19.
Although I thought myself sufficiently acquainted
with modern Greek when I landed in Crete, yet I
discovered, the very first time I spoke with a Cretan
peasant, that I was still at a great distance from a
knowledge of his language : and so numerous are its
peculiarities that, for some weeks, I had to spend much
of my time in endeavouring to render myself familiar
with them. I thought it worth while to do this, since
most of the information, of any value, which I hoped
to obtain here, could only be acquired by intercourse
with those who know no other language than the
Cretan20.
Of other parts of Grece the observation that " their
dialects have not so marked a difference, as those of
distant provinces in France or England21,"1 is undoubtedly
true. But, on speaking, for the first time, with a Cretan
mountaineer, the Greek of Constantinople would be
almost in the situation of a person, who, while familiar
only with the Italian language, should attempt to con-
verse with an uneducated native of Milan or Ferrara.
Before leaving Khania, to travel through the island,
I will endeavour to determine whereabouts the ancient
Cydonia was situated. Homer speaks of the Cydonians,
19 "Good morning, gossip," is an expression which I have repeatedly
heard a Cretan Christian use, in speaking to a Mohammedan of his acquaint-
ance. The word "brother," so generally used by the Greek in addressing
his Christian brethren, is, I think, never thus bestowed on a follower of the
Prophet. On this gossipred or compaternity I shall have again to speak.
20 Several extracts, from three works of Cretan poets of the lfith and 17th
centuries, are given by Colonel Leake, Researches in Greece, pp. 101—127-
Detached portions of the Erotocritos are still known to the Cretan peasantry.
I found a copy of the poem at Khania. The common language of the island
has undergone a considerable change since those poems were written, in con-
sequence of the presence of Turkish Governors in the three chief cities, and,
perhaps, of Turkish settlers in their neighbourhood. Many Turkish words
are now found in it, and have even got into the mouth of the Sfakians, among
whom no Turk has ever dwelt, and who have had extremely little intercourse
with the cities.
21 Leake, Researches in Greece, p. H5.
11
hammedan, even when no connexion of the kind really
exists between them19.
Although I thought myself sufficiently acquainted
with modern Greek when I landed in Crete, yet I
discovered, the very first time I spoke with a Cretan
peasant, that I was still at a great distance from a
knowledge of his language : and so numerous are its
peculiarities that, for some weeks, I had to spend much
of my time in endeavouring to render myself familiar
with them. I thought it worth while to do this, since
most of the information, of any value, which I hoped
to obtain here, could only be acquired by intercourse
with those who know no other language than the
Cretan20.
Of other parts of Grece the observation that " their
dialects have not so marked a difference, as those of
distant provinces in France or England21,"1 is undoubtedly
true. But, on speaking, for the first time, with a Cretan
mountaineer, the Greek of Constantinople would be
almost in the situation of a person, who, while familiar
only with the Italian language, should attempt to con-
verse with an uneducated native of Milan or Ferrara.
Before leaving Khania, to travel through the island,
I will endeavour to determine whereabouts the ancient
Cydonia was situated. Homer speaks of the Cydonians,
19 "Good morning, gossip," is an expression which I have repeatedly
heard a Cretan Christian use, in speaking to a Mohammedan of his acquaint-
ance. The word "brother," so generally used by the Greek in addressing
his Christian brethren, is, I think, never thus bestowed on a follower of the
Prophet. On this gossipred or compaternity I shall have again to speak.
20 Several extracts, from three works of Cretan poets of the lfith and 17th
centuries, are given by Colonel Leake, Researches in Greece, pp. 101—127-
Detached portions of the Erotocritos are still known to the Cretan peasantry.
I found a copy of the poem at Khania. The common language of the island
has undergone a considerable change since those poems were written, in con-
sequence of the presence of Turkish Governors in the three chief cities, and,
perhaps, of Turkish settlers in their neighbourhood. Many Turkish words
are now found in it, and have even got into the mouth of the Sfakians, among
whom no Turk has ever dwelt, and who have had extremely little intercourse
with the cities.
21 Leake, Researches in Greece, p. H5.