How to Train in Greek Translation
Learning any new language to become proficient enough to be able to translate it takes time, diligence and a form of confidence alongside the certainty of your goal. You may have heard people reply to something they find confusing with the phrase, "It's all Greek to me". That makes it sound like Greek is too hard to learn. It's not. It's a finite set of alphabet characters like most languages and by going step by step through the learning process, you can begin to read, write and speak in Greek. Practice makes perfect, some also say, so designate a certain period of time to study every week until you are fluent in every way.
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Instructions
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Choose whether you wish to learn ancient Greek or modern. Ancient is useful for scholarly research purposes, but modern will let you communicate with Greek-speaking people. It will also move you toward the skills necessary to translate for those who do not speak the language, whether for work, tourism applications, in travel or for pleasure and socializing.
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Sign up for a Greek class at a local college to work towards a Master's Degree in the language.
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Set your goal dates for learning the Greek language if you wish to learn independently. Divide it up into increments, such as learning to read and write the alphabet by July 1, learning basic grammar by September 1 and learning to write and read fluently within nine months. Prep for translator position within one year. Lay these out in doable terms. Don't rush it. Fluency is not typically gained in a couple of weeks.
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Purchase your materials or sign up for online courses. Books, audio tapes and some video programs are available. Start simply with a basic Greek language book and then work your way into audio tapes. Some audio tapes have accompanying books, so if you find those, begin there.
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Work through the stages of each book and audio tape, learning in increments. Practice daily on each lesson appropriate to your level until you are able to read the language flawlessly. Once you have mastered reading, move into the writing stages. Listen to Greek audio files or tapes and write down what is being said in Greek. Read it back to yourself, aloud, while listening to the same tapes to see how it matches up.
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Attend a class where others are also studying Greek. Start with a beginners' group if you can find one, even if you have a head start on things like grammar and common phrases. Interacting with other students is hugely beneficial and conversations will develop with more ease in time.
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Locate a Greek Orthodox Church and join one of its programs. Ask the priest or an administrator for guidance toward your goal. Being able to read and understand a divine liturgy will aid your work. When you can translate it from the original Greek, you're on your way. You can also find easy ways to network and socialize with the Greek community through the church or through online sources, including social networking sites.
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Practice continually with the language until you are adept at reading anything that you find or which is given to you. Master the language through reading books written in Greek, as well as plays by Sophocles, Aristophanes and Euripides. Translate a play from original Greek into your language, or from the English into Greek. Compare your efforts to existing translations.
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Get on Skype and practice your communication skills, speaking only in Greek. Find new contacts in Greece through social websites who might be open to practicing with you.
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Travel to Greece if you have the resources and either take a full-length translator course or practice your language skills while living in smaller towns where English is rarely spoken. The islands are good for this as well, not to mention quite pleasurable experiences all round for cultural exposure.
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Tips & Warnings
Greek biblical classes can be useful for some people regarding translator purposes, especially if you aim for scholarly research.
Take your time. There's no rush. If you take a college or university class, follow the customary scheduling. If you learn alone, consider contacting a professor at a college where Greek is offered and ask for a course outline as a means to guide you.
Know your sources for online work efforts - make sure the programs are reputable before investing.
Learn the slang and colloquialisms with care so you don't offend people inadvertently during your studies.
Resources
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