Final answer:
Standard, or Classical, pronunciation of Greek is called Erasmian (in contrast to Modern Greek pronunciation).
The correct answer is A) Classical, Erasmian, Modern. Erasmian is the reconstructed classical pronunciation of Greek used academically, contrasting with the Modern Greek pronunciation used by today's Greeks.
Step-by-step explanation:
The standard, or classical, pronunciation of Greek is called Erasmian (in contrast to Modern Greek pronunciation). Option A) Classical, Erasmian, Modern is the correct answer. The Erasmian pronunciation is a reconstructed form of ancient Greek pronunciation, named after the Dutch humanist Desiderius Erasmus, who proposed a method of teaching Greek pronunciation in the Western world. It is used primarily by academics and students studying classical Greek language and literature.
The Modern Greek pronunciation is how the language is pronounced by speakers in Greece today, which has evolved significantly from its ancient roots. The differences in pronunciation are vital for understanding the historical context of the language and for the accuracy of modern readings of ancient Greek texts.
Similarly to the distinction in Greek pronunciation distinctions, English has standard and nonstandard dialects, with the former being associated with formal education and used in academic settings. As mentioned by orators and scholars from the past like Cicero, the correctness and pleasantness of one's speech and delivery play an important role in communication, much like the standards applied to modern English and classical languages like Greek.