Greek is the official language of Greece and Cyprus. It is spoken throughout the world wherever there are Greek communities. It is one of the languages of the European Union and an Australian community language.
Greek is shaped by over 3,000 years of historical, linguistic and cultural continuity. It gives expression to an eventful history and to a rich and varied modern culture. It also encapsulates two great historical traditions; the Classical and the Byzantine.
The heritage of ancient Greece forms the basis of Western civilisation and has been integral to European thought. It continues to influence such fields of human endeavour as the arts, architecture, literature, philosophy, politics and the sciences. Many concepts in these fields derive from the classical period, and many others are labelled with terms derived from the Greek language.
The heritage of Greek Byzantium has particularly influenced Russia, various Balkan countries and countries around the eastern Mediterranean, and the Black Sea. It helped give impetus to the Renaissance in Western Europe. Today, the Byzantine influence is most visible in the art, architecture, music, ritual and theology of Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
Greek is one of the most widely used languages in Australia. Historically, Greeks have made and continue to make a significant contribution to the development of Australian society.
The study of Greek contributes to the overall education of students, particularly in the areas of communication, cultural understanding, literacy and general knowledge. The ability to communicate in Greek may, in conjunction with other skills, also enhance vocational opportunities in fields such as the arts, banking, diplomacy, education, law, medicine, shipping, social services and tourism.
As seen on the VCAA website on the 22/03/15. Link available here