Why are many English words derived from ancient Greek?

Question

Many Greek words were preserved because their literature was so influential on Western culture.
Ancient Greece and ancient England were very close trade partners.

Greek plays were translated into English, but the translation in the ancient world was not always perfect.

Answer 1

Many English words are derived from ancient Greek primarily because of the significant influence of Greek culture, philosophy, science, and literature on Western civilization. Here are the reasons that align closely with your points:

1. Influence of Greek Literature and Philosophy: Ancient Greek literature, philosophy, and scientific works have had a profound impact on Western thought. As scholars engaged with these texts during the Renaissance and beyond, they borrowed terms and concepts from Greek to articulate new ideas in various fields, including science, mathematics, medicine, and the arts.

2. Preservation of Greek Knowledge: Many Greek texts were preserved through translations and commentaries, especially during the medieval period, when scholars in the Islamic world translated Greek works into Arabic, and then back into Latin and other languages. This preservation helped transfer a vast amount of Greek vocabulary into English.

3. Academic and Scientific Terminology: Many of the Greek words that made their way into English are related to academic and scientific concepts. As disciplines such as philosophy, physics, and biology developed, Greek roots were often used to coin new terms (e.g., "philosophy" itself is derived from the Greek words "philos" meaning love and "sophia" meaning wisdom).

While the idea of ancient England being close trade partners with ancient Greece is not accurate in the same historical sense as the influences mentioned above, interactions did occur later, especially during the Roman period when Greek culture was prominent in the Mediterranean.

Regarding translations, while Greek plays and texts were translated into English, the statement that translations in the ancient world were not always perfect highlights the complexities of language conversion rather than directly explaining why English borrows from Greek.

In summary, the rich legacy of Greek thought and its integration into Western scholarship and culture is the primary reason for the incorporation of many Greek words into the English language.

Answer 2

which one

Answer 3

The most accurate reason among the options you provided is:

"Many Greek words were preserved because their literature was so influential on Western culture."

This reflects the significant impact of Greek literature, philosophy, and science on the development of Western thought, leading to the incorporation of Greek vocabulary into English.

Answer 4

How can we tell that Greek theater was very influential to Western culture?
It wasn't; Western culture does not rely much on Greek theater.
Because the words in English that rhyme are of Greek origin.

Because all Western theater uses the exact same plot as the surviving Greek plays.
The themes and styles of Greek theater survived despite the lack of original copies.

Answer 5

The most accurate statement regarding the influence of Greek theater on Western culture is:

"The themes and styles of Greek theater survived despite the lack of original copies."

Greek theater introduced foundational themes, dramatic structures, and styles that continue to resonate in contemporary theater, literature, and other art forms. Elements such as tragedy, comedy, and the use of conflict and character development have had a lasting impact. While not all Western theater uses the exact same plots as Greek plays, many are inspired by the themes and dramatic conventions established by the Greeks.