Great book! This is an excellent source for learning the Iraqi dialect. The mp3 files are most helpful in supplementing the reading passages. The authGreat book! This is an excellent source for learning the Iraqi dialect. The mp3 files are most helpful in supplementing the reading passages. The author repeats each word/phrase twice. Each chapter comes with a dialogue which is broken down into vocabulary and expressions. There is a grammar lesson and 'Colloquial Idioms' that are unique to the Iraqi dialect. At the end of each chapter there are review lessons and exercises to help you retain the material.
The words/expressions are all written in the Arabic form and in a transliterated form for those who cannot read or write Arabic.
If you speak Modern Standard Arabic already, you will fly through this book with no trouble. To a beginner, learning to read and write may be a challenge.
I would highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to go beyond Standard Arabic and wishing to learn dialect. Thanks! ...more
This is one of the few language toolkits for Iraqi Arabic with a booklet, an audio CD, and supplementary flashcards. The booklet starts out with greetThis is one of the few language toolkits for Iraqi Arabic with a booklet, an audio CD, and supplementary flashcards. The booklet starts out with greetings, places, foods, clothes, medical emergency, and then goes into military terms, commands, and weapons. All items in the book are written in the Arabic alphabet and transliterated for those who cannot read it. The audio CD repeats each word/phrase twice with a native speaker. The flashcards are an overview of the phrases/words presented in the booklet.
Great compact learning tool for those on the go and who need quick reference material! The booklet presents real Iraqi dialect and expressions so you WILL be able to communicate more effectively with Iraqis in a global conversation. I wish the publisher would make one for Kurdish-Sorani or Kurdish-Kurmanji, that would be heplful for foreigners/aid workers in the northern regions of Iraq.
This is one of the few language toolkits for Persian-Dari with a booklet, an audio CD, and supplementary cards. The booklet starts out with greetings,This is one of the few language toolkits for Persian-Dari with a booklet, an audio CD, and supplementary cards. The booklet starts out with greetings, places, foods, clothes, medical emergency, and then goes into military terms, commands, and weapons. All items in the book are written in the Perso-Arabic alphabet and transliterated for those who cannot read it. The audio CD repeats each word/phrase twice with a native speaker. The cards are an overview of the phrases/words presented in the booklet. If you have a background in Farsi, that knowledge will help tremendously.
Great compact learning tool for those on the go and who need quick reference material! I would recommend it. Thanks!...more
This is one of the few language toolkits for Pashto with a booklet, an audio CD, and supplementary cards. The booklet starts out with greetings, placeThis is one of the few language toolkits for Pashto with a booklet, an audio CD, and supplementary cards. The booklet starts out with greetings, places, foods, clothes, medical emergency, and then goes into military terms, commands, and weapons. All items in the book are written in the super modified Perso-Arabic alphabet that Pashto uses and transliterated for those who cannot read it. The audio CD repeats each word/phrase twice with a native speaker. The cards are an overview of the phrases/words presented in the booklet. Great compact learning tool for those on the go and who need quick reference material. I would recommend this. Thanks! ...more
This is the first Uyghur (or Uighur) phrasebook I've seen out there. A great start to learning your basic phrases in Uyghur to include greetings, shopThis is the first Uyghur (or Uighur) phrasebook I've seen out there. A great start to learning your basic phrases in Uyghur to include greetings, shopping, travel (airport, hotel, changing money), medical issues, and a general reference section. The phrases are presented in the modified Arabic Uyghur alphabet with a transliteration underneath. The book however does not give a stand-alone Uyghur alphabet in the beginning with its unique sound equivalents.
From my research, Uyghur looks like a distant cousin of the Uzbek language with many similarities in vocabulary and grammar.
1. Hello/How are you? Uyghur: ياخشىمۇسىز (pronounced 'yaxshumisiz') Uzbek: Yaxshimisiz
2. I am fine Uyghur: مەن ياخشى (men yaxshi) Uzbek: Men yaxshi
3. Thank you Uyghur: رەھمەت (rahmat) Uzbek: Rahmat
If you already can read and write Arabic, Dari/Farsi, or Kurdish-Sorani you will have a faster advantage at learning. YouTube has quite a few videos on learning the Uyghur alphabet. I highly recommend them as Uyghur has a somewhat complicated vowel system that can be difficult for English speakers. An important take away from the book is that is states that stress in the Uyghur language always falls on the last syllable. Thanks!...more
This is the best (if not the only) book and audio pack for learning Mongolian. The author of this one did an exceptional job at prepping this towards This is the best (if not the only) book and audio pack for learning Mongolian. The author of this one did an exceptional job at prepping this towards the beginner. The author teaches the modified Cyrillic alphabet and the unique sounds found in Mongolian.
The book does the standard Routledge Colloquial Series lessons with dialogue, vocabulary drills, and grammar. Also there are cultural explanations that are helpful to fully immerse yourself in the language.
I would highly recommend this to anyone wishing to learn this pretty and unique sounding language. Thanks!...more
This is for the serious Macedonian learner. From the get-go you're thrown into learning the modified Macedonian Cyrillic alphabet. This book is almostThis is for the serious Macedonian learner. From the get-go you're thrown into learning the modified Macedonian Cyrillic alphabet. This book is almost designed like a textbook with workbook exercises. The reading exercises and grammar segments are great for the independent learner. There is an audio CD for this course but I have not heard it. A helpful resource is the two-way glossary that is batter than what Hippocrene publishers has to offer currently.
The language similar to Serbian-Croatian with a little different accentuated sound. Here a few examples of subtle differences:
1. Good day Macedonian: Добар ден Bulgarian: добър ден Serbian: Добар дан
2. Good evening Macedonian: добро попладне Bulgarian: добър вечер Serbian: добро вече
Additionally there are three extra letters (Ѓ, Ќ, and S). These sounds, respectively, are Gye, Kye, and Dze.
I would highly recommend this (and the audio if you can get it). Thanks!...more
Routledge Colloquial Series is exceptional. This is a great primer for someone serious about Slovene. The book is basic and clear enough for a beginneRoutledge Colloquial Series is exceptional. This is a great primer for someone serious about Slovene. The book is basic and clear enough for a beginner and advances enough for some with working knowledge to brush up on their skills. The book follows the typical dialogue, vocabulary building exercises, and grammar.
Though part of Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (1945-1992), Slovene existed mutually with Serbian-Croatian and Macedonian. Slovene is close to Serbian-Croatian but distinct enough to stand as its own language.
I used this in 2010 for a Defense Language Proficiency exam and it helped me get a decent score. I would recommend the more up-to-date version of the book alongside the mp3 audio for the dialogue passages. Thanks!...more
This is a good way to learn Romanian. The book is designed for someone with no working knowledge of Romanian. The strutted sessions will take you beyoThis is a good way to learn Romanian. The book is designed for someone with no working knowledge of Romanian. The strutted sessions will take you beyond the basic beginner to an intermediate student. The text is standard Teach Yourself and has the dialogue, vocabulary sets, and grammar explanations. The accompanying audio is somewhat limited and I wished it gave more examples of native speaking Romanian. I would suggest this to anyone wishing to learn this pretty language. Thanks! ...more
This is a good start for someone new to Ukrainian. If you already know Russian or can read Cyrillic you will not have a problem getting through the leThis is a good start for someone new to Ukrainian. If you already know Russian or can read Cyrillic you will not have a problem getting through the lessons. The alphabet is taught in the beginning and eventually all the chapters are in Cyrillic. Ukrainian is relatively easier than learning Russian. The reason being is because Ukrainian is read/pronounced exactly as it is written, similar to Bulgarian and Serbian. Russian has various rules and stress inflections that can alter how a word is pronounced. This can be problematic to someone doing self-study.
For what the book offers, I am thoroughly impressed. I would highly recommend this to anyone serious in learning Ukrainian. Thanks! ...more
This is a good introduction to Hungarian self-study. Hungarian is a very difficult language and requires a lot attention. The book does an adequate joThis is a good introduction to Hungarian self-study. Hungarian is a very difficult language and requires a lot attention. The book does an adequate job of explaining grammar, pronunciation, and inflection. The accompanying audio is great and enables you to hear native speakers of such a unique language.
Having said that, it is not the best book because it moves very fast. Also as the chapters progress, they become choppy. At times I felt lost when trying to decipher the dialogue tables and felt the author left our vital vocabulary.
This is a good start and I'm sure there are better sources for learning Hungarian. Thanks! ...more
This is based off a standardization of Irish. The three main dialects are Ulster, Connacht, and Munster. The writing and audio dialogues are from speaThis is based off a standardization of Irish. The three main dialects are Ulster, Connacht, and Munster. The writing and audio dialogues are from speakers from County Galway and utilize the Connacht accent. This was told to me from an Irish-born priest in 2010.
A major example of this is:
1. How are you: The book uses: Conas tá tú? (this is a standardization mutually intelligible in all Gaeltacht areas)
Here are the variations of 'how are you?': Munster (southern Ireland): Conas tánn tú? Connacht (mid-western Ireland): Cén chaoi a bhfuil tú? Ulster (northwestern Ireland): Cad é mar atá tú?
The book I think is good but can be overwhelming at times. The book sometimes moves too fast and makes self-study challenging. Overall, I would recommend this to anyone interested in speaking, reading, and listening to Gaelige. Thanks! ...more
I started using this when it first came out in 2008. It is really good except for the audio. The native speaker does not speak at normal rhythm. This I started using this when it first came out in 2008. It is really good except for the audio. The native speaker does not speak at normal rhythm. This can make it difficult in hearing how the language should sound with proper inflection. Other than that, the grammar explanations (noun declinations, verb conjugations) and vocabulary builder drills are great. Each chapter has a specific language lesson introductions, travel, ordering food, at the doctor, on a trip. Within each chapter there's dialogue, vocabulary drills, and grammar.
I would highly suggest Routledge Colloquial Lithuanian because of the native speakers in the audio. Thanks! ...more
I first started using this to learn Serbian back in 2003. The book is a gradual learning curve and includes the modified Serbian Cyrillic alphabet. EvI first started using this to learn Serbian back in 2003. The book is a gradual learning curve and includes the modified Serbian Cyrillic alphabet. Eventually all the lessons are in Cyrillic. I feel Serbian is it's own language with its own distinct linguistic patterns. The accompanying audio CDs (now mp3 files) are extremely helpful in learning the specifics found in Serbian.
Here are a few examples:
1. I understand Serbian: разумем (razumem) Croatian: razumijem
2. milk Serbian: млеко (mleko) Croatian: mlijeko
3. bread Serbian: хлеб (hleb) Croatian: kruh
I would highly suggest this or Routledge Colloquial Series for learning any language. Each chapter has a specific language lesson introductions, travel, ordering food, at the doctor, on a trip. Within each chapter there's dialogue, vocabulary drills, and grammar.
This book is excellent at learning Bulgarian. The dialogue examples, the vocabulary, and grammar notes are exceptionally well. The audio files accompaThis book is excellent at learning Bulgarian. The dialogue examples, the vocabulary, and grammar notes are exceptionally well. The audio files accompanying the book are great but limited. I have used this extensively in prep for the Defense Language Proficiency Test throughout the years. I would highly recommend this or Routledge Colloquial Bulgarian to anyone wishing to learn Bulgarian. Thanks! ...more
This is the best Albanian textbook/work book I've seen out there. I read this when I was in foreign language training and one of my classmates was froThis is the best Albanian textbook/work book I've seen out there. I read this when I was in foreign language training and one of my classmates was from Pristina, Kosovo. He said it was great. He also pointed out there's Kosovar dialect throughout the book.
An example is the English word 'what'. In standard Albanian this is 'çfarë' but this book uses 'çka' which is mostly used in Kosovo.
"What are you doing?" Kosovar Albanian: Çka po bëj? (pron. chka po bey) Standard Albanian: Çfarë po bëj? (pron. ch-far po bey)
The book has dialogue segments with vocabulary tables. You don't realize how much extra vocabulary you pick up until afterwards. Throughout the the lessons there's grammar notes, cultural notes, and other stuff to help the serious learner. I have the original CD and it was at native speed with native speakers. I would highly recommend this to the serious Albanian student. Thanks!...more
This is a great self-study aid for learning Estonian. The book is smaller and less condensed in comparison to Colloquial Lithuanian (just under 500 pgThis is a great self-study aid for learning Estonian. The book is smaller and less condensed in comparison to Colloquial Lithuanian (just under 500 pgs.). The mp3 audio files are great at explaining the alphabet sounds, vowels/consonants, and unique letters found in Estonian. The book follows the standard dialogues, vocabulary drills, and grammar sections. The accompanying audio is extremely helpful.
The only book/audio pack to compete with this is 'Teach Yourself Estonian'. I would recommend both of these to any serious learner of this beautiful sounding language. Thanks!...more
I think is this is the only Latvian book and audio combination out there. Latvian is similar to Lithuanian and belongs to the Baltic language family. I think is this is the only Latvian book and audio combination out there. Latvian is similar to Lithuanian and belongs to the Baltic language family. Both languages have a unique and beautiful sound in my opinion.
Comparatively here is an example: Good morning,
Latvian: Labrīt Lithuanian: Labas rytas
The audio is superb and is spoken at native rhythm with native speakers. The book follows the usual listening passage/grammar/exercises. I would highly recommend this to anyone serious about learning Latvian! The book is smaller in comparison to 'Colloquial Lithuanian' but is still a great book.
You can never go wrong with the Routledge Colloquial Series books and audio. Thanks!...more
I think is this by far the best Lithuanian book/audio combination out there. I own various Lithuanian learning tools and the audio on this edition is I think is this by far the best Lithuanian book/audio combination out there. I own various Lithuanian learning tools and the audio on this edition is superb and is spoken at native rhythm. Lithuanian is similar to Latvian and they both belong to the Baltic language family.
The book follows the usual listening passage/grammar/exercises. The book is accurate and up-to-date with words like 'email' and internet addresses, etc.
I would highly recommend this to anyone serious about learning Lithuanian! Thanks!...more
This is a good but limited reference resource to learning Azerbaijani. This is not a bad book at all and will help accelerate your learning. This has This is a good but limited reference resource to learning Azerbaijani. This is not a bad book at all and will help accelerate your learning. This has the standard Hippocrene layout with a brief grammar introduction, the two-way dictionary, and phrasebook. The phrasebook has the standard chapters of greetings, food, shopping, etc. It is a smaller learning tool but I would still recommend. Thanks!...more
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