● Greek Music is my Romance Language

Anna Noumtinis Bilingual Journalist

Greek is not a Romance language. The Romance languages are Italian, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Romanian and Catalan, all languages derived from Latin. They have a smooth, rhythmic flow when spoken, whereas Greek is more abrupt. However, Greek, like the others, is a part of the Indo-European language family. Half the time we, as Greeks, sound like we are telling each other off; otherwise, we speak so quickly that it is hard to identify where one word ends, and another begins. Even as a fluent Greek speaker, the language is direct. This is especially true in the phrases we use, such as “κάτσε καλά,” meaning “calm down,” but with a direct translation of “sit good.” Another example is “Θα φας ξύλο,” meaning “I’m going to beat you,” but with the direct translation of “you are going to eat wood.” I doubt the French are often telling their friends they are going to eat wood.

When spoken, Greek is not a romantic language at all. In song, however, there is no language more romantic to me. Greek music is so rhythmic, and usually includes an instrumental break, even in the newer pop releases. A lot of Greek songs make you want to dance, or at the very least sway, which is what I love about them! I cannot sit still when I listen to Greek music; the rhythm just takes over, and I forget all my worries and upsets. Although the instrumentals and rhythms play a part in the romantic atmosphere the songs create, the lyrics are the most important part of the experience. A perfect example of a beautiful and symbolic lyric is found in “Gela Mou” by Petros Iakovidis, which means “laugh for me.” In this song, Lakovidis sings about his lover’s laugh and her smile, and pleads with her to smile for him, because her smile takes away all his pain. The appreciation for the little things, like a smile, and the feelings you get when you see someone you love are such romantic concepts. This upbeat song focuses on the small details that are often forgotten when you first meet someone who attracts your attention. Another song I really like is by the group Blaze, called “στο παράθυρο σου,” which roughly translates to “by your window” or “outside your window.” As someone who is constantly on the go, this song hits close to home. Between work, school, and family obligations, I don’t have a lot of free time, not unlike the person this song is about. The group sings about how they are willing to wait all day by their lover’s window just to see them for a second; it doesn’t matter how long it takes. It is so romantic that the band can understand their lover is busy and pressed for time, but they are willing to wait all day to see and be with them, even for just a second. If there’s one thing to take away from this song, it is that love is worth the wait, and that in love, you must be patient, even if it means waiting around all day. Yet another romantic Greek song that I adore is by Konstantinos Argiros, titled “Afou se vrika de s’afino,” which means, “I finally found you, I’m not leaving you.” The title itself is already very cute, but the lyrics in this song make it a thousand times better. Argiros speaks to his significant other, promising to tell her she can do anything, even when she thinks she cannot do it. He will wake up early in the morning when she’s just starting her day to encourage and reassure her that he will always be there when she needs. As the song continues, he reiterates that he is not going to leave her, even if she’s going through a rough patch. I think there is a lot of symbolism when he says, “I finally found you,” because letting someone see you at your lowest is a show of vulnerability. Being open with others allows them to see you for who you truly are. I believe that this is represented when Argiros shares how he is still in love with her, expressed through the line “I finally found you,” as she finally lets him see her true self. These are just a few songs on my very long playlist of Greek music. The words of these love songs showcase the true romanticism of the language, which is filled with so much symbolism and depth. Many Greek words and expressions carry additional emotion, especially in music, where songs take all the little moments and gestures, and apply them to love and life. I think the small moments are just as important as the big ones, because they teach us to appreciate all the quirks and pieces that make up the heart and soul of a person.

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