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Getting
to grips with Greek!
A special
feature by www.languageadvantage.com
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What a fantastic
start to the Olympics 2004! After Greece unexpectedly won the EURO
2004 cup, the Greeks must be feeling more than ready to face hosting
the 25th Summer Olympic Games this month. The Games run from 13
to 29 August 2004.
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the
historic home of the Olympics
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On the 9 July
2004, the Olympic flame returned to Greece, home of the very first
Olympic Games more than 2,700 years ago. The ancient Olympic Games
were held in Greece as early as 776BC and Athens hosted the first
modern Olympic Games in 1896. Some events will still use one of
the original marble stadiums from the 1896 Games, the Panathinaiko
while others will be lucky enough to compete on the site of Ancient
Olympia, where the games started nearly 3,000 years ago.
This year's
Games will prove to be an international vision of strength, determination,
power and great sportsmanship, with the underlying Olympic message
of peace and international understanding as nations put their differences
aside and participate together through sport. There are 28 Olympic
Sports ranging from equestrian to cycling to gymnastics and trampoline
at 35 venues across Greece. The Games also encompass the Paralympic
Games.
The goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute to building a
peaceful and better world through the Olympic Truce, which was honoured
for 12 centuries, making it the longest standing peace accord in
history. In the 20 and 21st centuries, the Olympic
Truce once again calls upon humanity to lay down its weapons
and work towards building the foundations of peace, mutual respect,
understanding and reconciliation - if only for the two week period
of the Olympic Games. In 1999, 180 countries of the United Nations
agreed to observe the Olympic Truce during the Sydney Olympic Games.
The Olympic Truce Foundation has now been established to work towards
achieving its goals.
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languages
at a global games
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Athletes are
participating from over 150 countries, tens of thousands of visitors
are expected from around the world to see the Games and millions
of viewers are watching it from the comfort of their home across
the globe.
The official
languages of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are French
and English. However, at IOC Sessions, simultaneous translation
is also provided into German, Spanish, Russian and Arabic. In the
event of any discrepancy between the French and English in the Olympic
Charter or any other IOC document, the French text prevails.
French has
been made the official Olympic language along with English and Greek
for the Athens 2004 Games. The thousands of volunteers who are working
at the Games must have knowledge of the Greek and French or English
languages. In fact, for the first time in all the Olympic Games'
history, the application form for being a volunteer was made available
in French online. All Olympic materials, press releases and even
signage at the Games will be in French. All employees have been
given a French language kit in order for them to learn the language
prior to the games.
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getting
to grips with greek
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The Greek language
is spoken by approximately 10 million people in Greece as the official
language. There are an additional 600,000 speakers in Cyprus where
it is also the official language. Beyond that, some 3 million people
elsewhere in the world claim Greek as their first language, including
Turkey, Albania, Canada and the United States. Greek has been one
of the official languages of the European Union since 1981.
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top
5 ways to learn Greek
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If you're going
over to Greece, either as a volunteer or to watch the Olympics,
then you really should make the effort to learn a bit of Greek.
At the very least it could be useful and may help you to get a couple
of beers and something to eat - and even find somewhere to stay.
And it's not too late - even now you can tuck your phrase book into
your hand luggage and have a quick peek while you're travelling
out to Greece.
Make your trip memorable and enhance your time in Greece by learning
the language and getting to know the culture. English is understood
in parts of Greece, but don't just speak English!
Here are our top 5 recommended courses for learning a bit of holiday
Greek before you go - or while you are there!
1. pigeon
Greek
2. teach
yourself instant Greek
3. quick
& simple pimsleur Greek
4. bbc
get by in Greek
5. teach
yourself Greek language, life & culture
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get
the Greek language advantage!
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If you're inspired
while you're out there, then get learning Greek when you return.
Have a look at our Greek language page to find the best and most
innovative ways of learning Greek
If you'd like to find out more about Greece and Greek:
Search for flights,
accommodation and car hire in Greece
Search
for Greek
music
Find out about
Greek
culture
Search
for a language
jobs using Greek
If you'd like to find out more about the Olympic Games and Athens
2004:
The website of the International
Olympic Committee
The website of the Athens 2004
Olympic Games
Also,
visit our Language Advantage Courses
for more of the best and most innovative language courses in the
world and Language Advantage Business
to get the competitive advantage through the language advantage!
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