Modern Greek is taught as a second language in Cyprus, but learners often struggle to understand the local dialect. Cypriot Greek, spoken among locals, differs significantly from the modern Greek used in formal settings.
The divergence is not due to evolution; rather, Cypriot Greek has preserved elements from ancient Greek, which has evolved more slowly on the island. Words and phrases have remained since the Achaean period, influenced by centuries of conquerors.
Historians assert that Cypriot Greek may be the only truly Greek dialect still in use today. Some scholars argue that it originates from Byzantine Medieval Greek rather than ancient Arcadocypriot Greek, as Cyprus was isolated from Greece from the 7th to 10th centuries due to Arab invasions.
Georgios Babiniotis, a Greek linguist, states that the dialect retains many features of ancient Greek, including the pronunciation of double consonants and the use of the final consonant 'n', which modern Greek lacks.
Vowel spelling in ancient Greek allowed for varied vocalizations, making the language musical. Cypriot Greek reflects this musicality, with locals noting its fullness compared to the crispness of mainland Greek.
Examples of ancient roots in the dialect include the word for salt: 'alati' in Greece, 'alas' in Cyprus, and 'als' in ancient Greek. The word for frog, 'vortakos' in Cyprus, has also survived since ancient times, differing from the modern Greek term 'vatrachos'.
Sentence structure varies as well, with Cypriot Greek adhering more closely to ancient grammar. For instance, the Cypriot sentence 'Eiden o vortakos ton killin tzai lalei tou en omorfos' translates to 'The frog saw the small donkey and told it that it's handsome' in English.
Regional variations exist within Cyprus, with dialects differing between Paphians and mountain dwellers. The Greek spoken on the island has absorbed influences from Turkish, English, Latin, Italian, French, and Arabic due to historical conquests.
While the younger generation increasingly adopts modern Greek and international communication styles, the richness of the Cypriot dialect remains a testament to its ancient heritage.