Yiannis Psycharis

Yiannis Psycharis (1854–1929) was a Greek author, philologist, and a major proponent of the Demotic Greek movement, which sought to modernize the Greek language by incorporating elements of the spoken vernacular. He is best known for his travelogue 'My Journey' (1888), which played a significant role in the linguistic debate in Greece about the use of a more simplified form of Greek, closer to the everyday language of the people, versus the archaic forms based on Classical Greek. Psycharis's work and advocacy were influential in the eventual acceptance of Demotic Greek in education and literature.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. Το Ταξίδι Μου

    This book is a seminal work in modern Greek literature, chronicling the author's transformative journey from France to his ancestral homeland of Greece. Through a series of vividly described travels across the Greek landscape, the narrative delves into the author's exploration of his cultural and linguistic roots, advocating for the demotic Greek language over the purist katharevousa. The journey is not only geographical but also deeply personal and intellectual, reflecting on the nature of Greek identity, the beauty of the Greek countryside, and the importance of connecting with one's heritage. The work has had a profound impact on the Greek language debate and is celebrated for its contribution to the shaping of modern Greek identity.

    The 3782nd Greatest Book of All Time