How to Use Reported Speech in Greek: A Guide for English Speakers

Understanding Reported Speech in Greek

Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, is used to convey what someone else has said without quoting their exact words. In Greek, reported speech involves changes in verb tenses, pronouns, and sometimes word order, similar to English but with its own unique rules.

Direct vs. Reported Speech

In direct speech, we quote the exact words spoken, usually enclosed in quotation marks. For example: He said, "I am happy." In reported speech, we paraphrase what was said: He said that he was happy. Greek follows a similar pattern but requires specific verb tense changes and pronoun adjustments.

Key Changes When Using Reported Speech in Greek

When converting direct speech to reported speech in Greek, pay attention to the following changes:

• Verb tense shifts (usually backshifting)
• Pronoun changes to match the new subject
• Changes in time and place expressions
• Use of the conjunction "ότι" (that) to introduce reported clauses

Verb Tense Changes

Greek verbs in reported speech often shift to a past tense form. For example, present tense verbs in direct speech usually become imperfect or aorist in reported speech.

Pronoun Changes

Pronouns must be adjusted to reflect the perspective of the reporter rather than the original speaker.

Using "ότι" to Introduce Reported Speech

The conjunction "ότι" (that) is commonly used to introduce the reported clause in Greek.

Examples of Reported Speech in Greek

Here are some examples illustrating how direct speech is transformed into reported speech in Greek:

1. Direct: «Είμαι χαρούμενος.» (I am happy.) → Reported: Είπε ότι ήταν χαρούμενος. (He said that he was happy.)
2. Direct: «Θα έρθω αύριο.» (I will come tomorrow.) → Reported: Είπε ότι θα ερχόταν την επόμενη μέρα. (He said that he would come the next day.)
3. Direct: «Μου αρέσει το βιβλίο.» (I like the book.) → Reported: Είπε ότι του άρεσε το βιβλίο. (He said that he liked the book.)

Tips for English Speakers Learning Greek Reported Speech

Understanding reported speech in Greek can be challenging due to verb tense and pronoun changes. Here are some tips to help:

• Practice identifying verb tenses in direct speech and their corresponding forms in reported speech.
• Pay close attention to pronoun shifts to maintain correct meaning.
• Learn common time expressions and how they change in reported speech (e.g., σήμερα → εκείνη την ημέρα).
• Use "ότι" to introduce reported clauses consistently.
• Listen to native speakers and practice forming reported speech sentences aloud.