Etymology is especially important in the Greek language because it helps us understand not only the meaning of words, but also the way Greeks have thought and expressed ideas throughout the centuries. Many Greek words are compound words, formed by combining two or more roots. Each part carries a distinct meaning, so when the parts are joined together, the resulting word becomes precise and rich in meaning. By studying etymology, we can break words down into their original elements and better understand their true sense. This also makes it easier to learn new vocabulary, recognize connections between words, and appreciate how greatly Greek has influenced many modern languages.
This is a very fun and interesting game – exercise!
Many words in the Greek language are combined words (σύνθετες λέξεις) and by breaking them to smaller pieces help us in the meaning and etymology of the word as well as in the creation of new words from their smaller pieces.
For example, we have the word ΛΟΓΟΤΕΧΝΙΑ, which we can break into two words ΛΟΓΟΣ(speech) and ΤΕΧΝΗ (art). From these two smaller words we can create new combined words. With the word ΛΟΓΟΣ we can create ΛΟΓΟΚΡΙΣΙΑ or ΨΥΧΟΛΟΓΟΣ. In the same way we can create with the word ΤΕΧΝΗ two new words: ΤΕΧΝΟΛΟΓΙΑ and ΚΑΛΛΙΤΕΧΝΗΣ.
Later, from the word ΛΟΓΟΚΡΙΣΙΑ (ΛΟΓΟΣ+ ΚΡΙΣΗ) we can continue to create new words with the same beginning ΛΟΓΟΣ-, like ΛΟΓΟΜΑΧΙΑ or we can use the second part of the combined word –ΚΡΙΣΙΑ and create new words, like ΥΠΟΚΡΙΣΙΑ.
Also, from the word ΨΥΧΟΛΟΓΟΣ (ΨΥΧΗ+ ΛΟΓΟΣ) we can continue to create new words with the same beginning ΨΥΧΗ-, like ΨΥΧΑΓΩΓΙΑ or we can use the second part of the combined word –ΛΟΓΟΣ and create new words, like ΒΙΟΛΟΓΟΣ.
So grab a dictionary and let your imagination thrive!