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Modern Greek, referred to by speakers as Greek, is a part of the Indo-European language family and derives from the Koine Greek that arose around the Byzantine period. Today, there are many dialects of Greek, most of which are mutually intelligible, and during most of the Modern period, Greek as existed as diglossia with spoken dialects existing alongside a more "pure" form of written Greek - Katharevusa. Modern Greek is spoken by around 13.4 million native speakers in around Greece, Cyprus, and a few other Greek centers around the world.

To read more about this really neat language, Click Here, and Here.

To hear the 1st paragraph of the 1st book, Click Here.

THe Modern Greek Harry Potter books are published by Psichogios Publications and translated by Máia Roútsou (book 1) and Kaíti Oikonómou (Book 2 - 7). The first edition Greek books use the 1st edition art first found on Bloomsbury UK; other editions are available featuring other cover art from artists such as Olly Moss, Michael Wildsmith, Kazu Kibishi. 

Ο Χάρι Πότερ και η Φιλοσοφική Λίθος

Harry Potter Modern Greek Philosphers Stone Ο Χάρι Πότερ και η Φιλοσοφική Λίθος Book 1
Modern Greek

ISBN: 9789602743485

Greek has been spoken in the Balkan peninsula since the third millennium B.C.E. is possible earlier. The earliest known example written Greek dates to around 1450 B.C.E. to 1350 B.C.E., making Greek the world's oldest recorded written language. Greek is divided into different periods, of which Ancient Greek is one; the two before the Ancient Greek period are Proto Greek and Mycenean Greek, which Koine Greek and Medieval Greek come after the Ancient period and precede Modern Greek. Ancient Greek fell out of use during the Middle Ages in Western Europe, but remained officially in use in the Byzantine world and was reintroduced to Europe wit the Fall of Constantinople and the Greek Migration. 

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was published in Ancient Greek by Bloomsbury in 2004. The book was translated by Andrew Wilson. I've had a lot of questions about why Bloomsbury would publish a book in a dead language, and the answer is a fun one. Jo and her publishers wanted to take the fear away from studying dead languages (Latin being the other one), as well as hopefully help bolster Classical language studies by presenting not only the (thought to be) first children's tale rendered into Ancient Greek but also provide a wildly mainstream popular tale for current scholars. Only the first book was translated; however, there are two different covers available - the first edition features Thomas Taylor cover art and the 2nd edition features Jonny Duddle.

Book Title: Ἅρειος Ποτὴρ καὶ ἡ τοῦ φιλοσόφου λίθος

 

To read more about Ancient Greek, Click Here and Here

To hear the 1st paragraph of the book, Click Here

ISBN: 9781582348261
ISBN: 9781408866160
Harry Potter Ancient Greek Philosopher's Stone Book 1 Ἅρειος Ποτὴρ καὶ ἡ τοῦ φιλοσόφου λίθος
Ancient Greek
Harry Potter Ancient Greek Philosopher's Stone 2nd Edition Illustrated by Jonny Duddle Ἅρειος Ποτὴρ καὶ ἡ τοῦ φιλοσόφου λίθος
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