Panagiota P. Lampri Written by Yiannis Karaboulas, Teacher Book Review

Written by Yiannis Karaboulas, Teacher

The Epirote dialect is like a deep stream flowing through ancient stones and the silence of the mountains. It carries both the rasp of winter and the sweetness of a summer noon beneath the plane trees. Within it lie the strength of the land and the austerity of its speech, as though not a single word were superfluous unless it had first been kneaded by the winds of the Pindus Mountains. It is a language rugged yet tender, where every syllable recalls people who learned to speak sparingly, listen more, and feels more deeply. It resembles an old song that was never written down, yet has survived from mouth to mouth, keeping the memory of Epirus alive.

Our prolific fellow Epiriot, Panagiota P. Lampri, who was born in Rodavgi, Arta, and has published seventeen books, recently presented us—after years of painstaking effort—with her outstanding dictionary of the Epirote dialect, entitled "The Speech of the Epirotes – Nuances" (IPEIROTON LOGOS – APOCHROSEIS).

This monumental work serves as a bridge connecting the past with the present, giving voice and wings to the language of our homeland in a truly unique way. Across its 1,000 pages unfolds a world of 4,177 entries—words that never stand alone, but are accompanied by their derivatives, antonyms, and semantic relatives. They come alive in expressions and proverbs, playfully emerge in wordplays, and resonate in the verses of traditional folk songs, each revealing one or more facets of its meaning.

The Speech of the Epirotes is far more than a dictionary. It is a precious cultural document. It is intended both for scholars and for every reader interested in Greek tradition, offering a profound and meaningful encounter with the distinctive dialect of Epirus.

Most importantly, however, this remarkable work is not confined to the printed page. In addition to its printed edition, it is available free of charge in digital form, allowing it to spread its wings across the boundless light of the screen and become accessible to everyone through the following interconnected links:

https://free-ebooks.gr/storage/file/b9a50707-354b-45e0-bb7c-c8ef4de1b308.pdf

https://free-ebooks.gr/storage/file/3b19dbf4-3e59-45a0-a3c5-894b851400b7.pdf

Panagiota, your work reflects years of devoted and demanding labor, meticulous study, thorough research, and above all, a profound and selfless love for our homeland. I am certain that it will become a landmark reference and win the hearts of all Epirotes.

We are all deeply grateful for your invaluable gifts—not only we ourselves, but also the 4,177 entries that, from this day forward, will continue their journey through the thoughts and minds of Epirotes—and many others—and will never again be buried beneath the dust of oblivion.

May you always enjoy good health, for I am certain that you still have much more to offer?

May The Speech of the Epirotes enjoy fair winds and swift voyages, accompanied by favorable breezes and countless fellow travelers on its journey?

Finally, it is essential to mention that visitors to the author's digital sanctuary can freely discover many more of her books, writings, and reflections at:

https://users.sch.gr/panlampri/

Panagiota has always been generous of spirit, and her gifts overflow with kindness and generosity.