How to Speak Greek Perfectly

Let me teach you how to say hello in Greek.

To say hello to one person, you say YIA SOY.

To say hello to more than one person, you say YIA SAS. This is pronounced like Yesses.

Truth be known, I know no Greek. Because I know no Greek, during my time in Athens, I was kind of like a little child, a mute one. I just followed along not understanding anything until someone kindly explained. This meant, however, that I was given extremely good care. I was helped across streets. My food was cut for me. Everything was done for me! You would think I was slow-witted.

I would like to give you an idea of how astute I was with the Greek language. Actually, I was quite remarkable.

You, of course, are familiar with Calamari. the Greek word for eel. That is what eel is called in restaurants in U.S so I know this Greek word. Actually, in Greece, it is spelled with a K, but in U.S., anyway, it is spelled with a C.

Greece, which is so hospitable to strangers, has a language that is not so amenable. It turns out there is a word similar to Calamari. It is Calimera (Kalimera) which is how you say Good morning. I still am not sure of the difference in pronunciation between the two.

I must confess, I rushed to greet people in the mornings to show off my language skills. “Calamari,” I’d shout. I’d answer the phone saying brightly, “Calamari,” I would say it not once but twice: “Calimarii! Calamari!” (Eel! Eel!)

But I’ve told you how kind everyone in Greek is, so everyone said Calimera back to me.

God bless the people of Greece.