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Greek Loan Words within the Coptic language

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PeterH

posted on Mar 06, 2008 - 09:07 AM

Hi everyone,

From what I have read concerning the Coptic language, it is clear that it borrowed a significant number of words from the Greek language, most probably to allow the Egyptians to dissociate themselves from their pagan past. However, does anyone know or have a list of all the Greek loan words and their original Egyptian counterparts (with English translation if possible). Additionally, has anyone ever made an attempt to speak 'pure Egyptian' Coptic, particularly with the Bohairic dialect as from what I know the Sahidic dialect already utilises less Greek loan words than the Bohairic dialect.

God Bless

Joined: Oct 24, 2004 | Posts: 6
Location: Sydney, Australia

HopelessCase113

posted on Jun 27, 2008 - 06:41 PM

I recently discovered this same thing when I found out that there is a country called Laos...

so here are some words that are Greek loan words to Coptic:
Laos- group of people
Soma- body
ekeklisia- Church

I'll post more when I think of/come across them...

interesting topic..

Joined: Oct 11, 2004 | Posts: 227

Peter

posted on Jul 02, 2008 - 01:08 AM

There are hundreds if not thousands of loan words. I'm not sure if it is practical with the scope of this forum to come up with an exhaustive list. Though a quick rule of thumb any word that starts with the letter delta is a Greek loan word. There maybe a list somewhere online with many of the loan words, George (Remenkemi) would probably know for sure.

Use of Greek words was not to distance themselves from a pagan past, Coptic as a language and alphabet predates Christianity though was standardized/formalized by Pantaeus (despite stories of it being invented by him). (There having been papyri found with the Egyptian language written in greek as early as 5 bc). It is simply that Greek was the lingua franca of the time and if the word existed in greek which embodied the concept why invent a new one. Happens with English all the time.

I know HE Anba Mikhail has a translation of the Divine Litury devoid of Greek, though don't know if he has prayed using it.

Joined: Mar 18, 2003 | Posts: 423
Location: Jersey City, NJ

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Greek Loan Words within the Coptic language

PeterH

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