If you sit long enough in Plaka, Athens, you will probably hear this modern myth, or urban legend. You may even hear it elsewhere in Greece. You will be informed that the Greek language was almost adopted by the US Senate at its inception in the 18th century (perhaps your informant will be more specific and say in 1776) but it lost out to English by only one vote. The same claims, equally false, have been made for the German language.
Origins of this Urban Legend
There was a lot of anti-British feeling in America in the 18th century, and understandably, some American patriots did not want to be associated with the language of the ‘oppressors’. They campaigned for the adoption of Hebrew, on the grounds that it was the language of God: for French because it was the language of freedom and for Greek because it was the language of democracy. However there was never a vote on which should be the official language of either the Senate or the United States of America.
One man, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, is reported to have advocated that the Americans retained the use of English, while the British should start speaking Greek.
Twentieth Century Greek Origins of This Modern Myth
Students of the University of Athens have reported that this story was told them by one of their professors, who had written a book in which he recounts this myth. The book was written after the Greek Civil War, which followed the Second World War. After this came the junta, and the argument goes that as Greeks needed to feel a sense of pride in their more modern achievements, then they should be told good things about their influence in the world. The book was written in Greek and has not been translated, apparently.
This myth has been debunked by none other than Professor David Crystal (1987) in The Cambridge Encyclopaedia of Language and by Dennis Baron (1990) in The English Only Question. However the myth still persists.
A Second Urban Legend
This involves the Greek language. The same person who told you the ‘one vote’ myth may well proceed on to the next, which is that Greek is the oldest language in the world and has the best system of grammar and the most words. To decide for yourself if this is true or not, turn to the Encyclopaedia of Language mentioned above.
Take it All with a Pinch of Salt
When you hear these tall tales, take them for what they are worth, it is just a way of passing the time. The person telling you these tales may just be winding you up, or perhaps they actually believe what they are saying is true. The best advice is to try to change the subject and laugh about it. Some Greeks are very patriotic, and take offence easily if they think their country is being criticized in some way.
These two modern myths are quite amusing when you know the truth of the matters. Urban legends are just that; there’s always a grain of truth in them and some people want to believe in them. So let them, if it makes them happy.
Sources
- Dennis Baron. (1990). The English Only Question. Yale University Press.
- David Crystal (ed.) (1987). The Cambridge Encyclopaedia of Language. Cambridge University Press.
- Lynne Evans. (07/24 /2010). “If You Visit Athens Walk Down Kidathenaeion Street”. Suite101 Greece travel.
Lynne Evans - I have a BA(hons) in English and American Lit, and a MEd in TEFL and multicultural education.I have been a consultant in the fields of ...
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