Choice between two Greek Primers
I am trying to decide between "A Primer of Biblical Greek" by Croy Clayton and "Kairos: A Beginning Greek Grammar with Workbook and Answer Key" by Fredrick J. Long.
Can anyone comment on a good first choice? I've used Logos for several years (versions 3 through 7) and do a lot of word studies but would like to learn to read it in the original.
Thanks for any input you can provide.
Marc
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I know absolutely nothing on this front beyond a couple of overheard convos, but based on how helpful I've found Futato's Hebrew videos, I was going to go for Black's grammar because of his videos on http://dailydoseofgreek.com, but the most highly recommended intro I've seen is Mounce's - I'd be intrigued to see what people say.
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My professor was Dr. Plummer, who does the Daily Dose of Greek videos. He started using David Allen Black's "Learn to Read NT Greek" a couple of years ago. Dr. Plummer is very aware of Mounce's grammar, so I'm sure there's a reason he prefers Black's. When I took Plummer's courses, he was using Baugh's grammar; so that was my primary grammar. But I used Black's (in Logos) as a secondary resource and liked it a lot.
My $.02 ...
Donnie
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I am using Kairos, and supplementing with: Learn to Read New Testament Greek by Black.
Kairos is basic and easy to understand. It is quite brief in places. It frequently references: Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics by Wallace (classed as intermediate Greek). The problem I have seen is that the references are not active (when I click them, they take me to Faithlife website where am told I don't have the resource, though I actually bought it when I saw how frequently the references to it were, and have it in my library).
Black does not assume anything and so, explains things. There is also a good video of one teaching through Black on YouTube, I follow the videos too.
Just now after reading your post, I checked and found that I have the Primer you mentioned, but I have not used it yet so I cannot say much about it.
With personal study I have found that if one is consistent: do a little study everyday rather than hours of study once in a while, do the exercises without skipping any. You will be surprised at how quickly you make progress.
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The problem you are experiencing with links is because Wallace's grammar was first made by a third party, Galaxie, many years ago. Later when FL started doing Zondervan resources they redid Wallace's Grammer. So Kairos links to the Galaxie copy of Kairos and if you only have the version done by FL the links won't work.
Another issue FL have said in pa they would fix, but never have done anything about it.
Alexxy Olu said:I am using Kairos, and supplementing with: Learn to Read New Testament Greek by Black.
Kairos is basic and easy to understand. It is quite brief in places. It frequently references: Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics by Wallace (classed as intermediate Greek). The problem I have seen is that the references are not active (when I click them, they take me to Faithlife website where am told I don't have the resource, though I actually bought it when I saw how frequently the references to it were, and have it in my library).
Black does not assume anything and so, explains things. There is also a good video of one teaching through Black on YouTube, I follow the videos too.
Just now after reading your post, I checked and found that I have the Primer you mentioned, but I have not used it yet so I cannot say much about it.
With personal study I have found that if one is consistent: do a little study everyday rather than hours of study once in a while, do the exercises without skipping any. You will be surprised at how quickly you make progress.
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Thanks for the input! I'm leaning more and more toward Black given your comments and the others above.
Blessings,
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Thanks for the info (doc).
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James McAdams said:
...the most highly recommended intro I've seen is Mounce's - I'd be intrigued to see what people say.
I can't speak to the other grammars, but I have used Mounce. I worked through most of it once on a self-study basis, and then several years later had the opportunity to take a first-year Greek seminary class that also used Mounce. I found it very accessible. Of course, taking it in a class setting with a real professor and weekly quizzes to keep me honest was much more effective (and efficient) than self-study. That being said, I learned enough working though it by myself the first time to give me a big leg up on the class. (As I recall, where the wheels started coming off the bus for me the first time through was with participles.) For anyone who does use Mounce for self-study, I would strongly recommend getting (and using) the workbook that goes with it.
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I have created a full blown version of Dana and Mantey- works well within L7- its not available to share- but created it out of a WORD docx. This is the one I cut my teeth on so partial to it but Mounce and others have been a great help.
You can find a PDF version on line.
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We used Mounce for my greek class, and I still refer back to it for refreshers. I think it's a grammar someone can do on their own without a class. The cool thing is that there are word lists that Logos users have already created in the Faithlife group "Word Lists for Flashcards" that you can download to help you practice your vocabulary. Users have created the "Basics of Biblical Greek Vocab with Most Audio" word list that follows the chapters in Mounce. You can then use the Logos flashcard app to practice your vocab on your phone or tablet when you're not in front of your computer. This was so clutch for me because it was cumbersome carrying around all those flash cards with everything else I have to carry. Now I'm in a greek exegesis class and I can still use that to stay up on my vocabulary and even add to the list.
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