Greek dialect

Standard Modern Greek

Also known as: Demotic Greek

The Athens-based standard of modern Greek, derived from the Demotic vernacular and codified in the late 20th century.

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Frequently asked questions

What language is Standard Modern Greek?

Standard Modern Greek is a dialect of Greek.

Which region is Standard Modern Greek associated with?

Standard Modern Greek is part of the Europe region on DialectAtlas.

Is Standard Modern Greek known by other names?

Yes — Standard Modern Greek is also referred to as Demotic Greek.

What are the other dialects of Greek?

Greek also includes Cypriot Greek, Cretan Greek, Pontic Greek, Tsakonian, Cappadocian Greek, Griko, Mariupolitan Greek. Each variety has its own vocabulary, pronunciation, and cultural context.

Other Greek dialects

See on the atlas →
Pontic Greek

Romeyka · Pontiaka

The Greek variety historically spoken along the Pontic coast of the Black Sea, brought to mainland Greece by refugees of the 1923 population exchange. Its Anatolian-resident form (Romeyka) survives among Muslim communities near Trabzon.

Tsakonian

Tsakonika

The only living descendant of ancient Doric Greek, spoken in a few villages of the Peloponnese around Leonidio. Critically endangered; structurally distinct from all other Greek varieties, which descend from Attic-Ionic.

Griko

Italiot Greek · Salentino Greek

The Greek of southern Italy, spoken in two enclaves in Salento and Calabria. A direct descendant of the Magna Graecia varieties; one of the oldest continuously-spoken Greek varieties outside Greece.