The official language spoken in Greece is Greek, specifically Modern Standard Greek, which is used by about 99% of the population
. Modern Greek is a direct descendant of Ancient Greek and has a rich history spanning over 3,400 years
. It includes several regional dialects such as Cretan, Cappadocian, Pontic, Maniot, Thracian, and Tsakonian, with Tsakonian being a distinct dialect descended from ancient Doric Greek
. In addition to Greek, various minority languages are spoken in Greece, including Albanian, Turkish, Russian, Romani, Bulgarian, Macedonian, Armenian, and Aromanian
. English is widely spoken as a foreign language, especially in business and tourism, with about half of the population having some proficiency
. In summary:
- Official language: Modern Standard Greek (spoken by ~99%)
- Regional dialects: Cretan, Cappadocian, Pontic, Maniot, Thracian, Tsakonian
- Minority languages: Albanian, Turkish, Russian, Romani, Bulgarian, Macedonian, Armenian, Aromanian
- Common foreign languages: English (widely spoken), German, French, Italian
Greek uses its own alphabet and has a complex verb system and flexible word order, reflecting its long linguistic evolution from ancient times to the present
