Modern Greek refers to the form of the Greek language that evolved from Medieval Greek or Byzantine Greek and is used today by approximately 13 million speakers. This form of Greek is the official language of Greece and one of the official languages of Cyprus, alongside Turkish.
The transition from Ancient Greek to Modern Greek was a gradual process that took place over centuries. Key historical phases include:
Modern Greek has several notable features:
Modern Greek uses the Greek alphabet, which has remained relatively unchanged since antiquity, although some letters have changed in usage or form:
The standardization of Modern Greek was a contentious issue, culminating in the adoption of Demotic Greek over Katharevousa in 1976. Demotic Greek reflects the spoken language, while Katharevousa was an archaic, purist form with elements from Ancient Greek.
Modern Greek is used in education, media, literature, and daily communication. It has a rich tradition of modern literature, with notable authors like Nikos Kazantzakis and Odysseas Elytis.