This was a great introductory dictionary into learning hanja. The Korean language has about 70% of ots linguistic origins from Chinese. These Chinese This was a great introductory dictionary into learning hanja. The Korean language has about 70% of ots linguistic origins from Chinese. These Chinese characters are transliterated with Korean characters and minus the tonal system. This book explained the Korean writing system, history of Chinese characters, and explained the stroke order & radical system for Chinese character systemization. There were 1,800 basic characters that build on the stroke order.
My only negative abiut this was the old style phonetics that I don't see in Korea, except in some small villages. These were "hang¨±l" instead of today's writing: hangeul. But its an easy obstacle to climb over once you get going in Korean.
Chinese characters are very elaborate and build on the morphology of the language and thats another language book unto its own. But this was a good beginner level book for basic understanding. I would recommend it to the beginner student to Hanja and Chinese character origins in the Korean language. Thanks!!...more
The only Chechen language resources I own are Chechen-English English-Chechen Dictionary and Phrasebook by Nicholas Awde and Muhammad Galaev and a colThe only Chechen language resources I own are Chechen-English English-Chechen Dictionary and Phrasebook by Nicholas Awde and Muhammad Galaev and a collection of online resources I've gathered over the years. Having said that...this book is absolutely OUTSTANDING. [image] [image] I learned more in just the first two chapters than I have in my collective independent study since 2008. I gained a solid understanding of the alphabet reinforced with the online audio files provided. Each chapter is realistic dialogue (written in Chechen Cyrillic, transliterated, and with the audio), grammar lessons, building vocabulary culture notes, and exercises (with answer key in the back) to boost my comprehension.
Kheda Garchakhanova has a @chechen_courses Instagram account that I stumbled across that advertised this book and I bought it off Amazon. This book IS THE CHECHEN language book to own! Highly recommended! Thank you!...more
This was an excellent lexicon for Biblical study. There were 8,673 Hebrew words of high frequency use from the Old Testament and approximately forty-pThis was an excellent lexicon for Biblical study. There were 8,673 Hebrew words of high frequency use from the Old Testament and approximately forty-pages worth of Aramaic words (taken from Daniel, Ezra, Jeremiah, and Genesis).
The words are in alphabetically order. Each word had the (if in existence) equivalent from the Arabic, the Aramaic, the Syriac, the Assyrian, and the Greek. Each entry gave the English translation, multiple grammatical and syntaxes variations (transitive verb, imperative, indefinite, proper name, masculine/feminine plural, etc.), and locations when used in the Old Testament.
Words that jumped out to me with Arabic-Hebrew equivalents were the following. These words are spelled with equivalent characters and pronounced almost exactly the same:
1. house, home ??? = ?????? "beit"
2. big, large ???? = ??? "kabir, kabr"
3. ship, boat, vessel ????? = ????? "safina"
4. king, ruler ???? = ??? "melek, melekh"
5. Lebanon ????? = ????? "lubnan, lebanon"
Overall I found this Biblical Hebrew lexicon very useful and interesting because it gave a lot of information for each entry. I would recommend this to anyone interested in Middle Eastern languages and Old Testament study. Thanks!...more
This is an excellent introduction to the Urdu language. I own the learning series Pastho, Uzbek, Dari, and Tajiki by the same publisher (Georgetown UnThis is an excellent introduction to the Urdu language. I own the learning series Pastho, Uzbek, Dari, and Tajiki by the same publisher (Georgetown University Press) and these are great. This is an elementary introductory level of the language and you will definitley have a well-rounded familiarity with the language before even getting half-way through the book. These books have lessons that include grammar, listening exercises, vocabulary and sentence recall, dictation and transcription which are all great ways to becoming a well rounded speaker, reader, writer, and listener in the target language.
In particular to this book, you will learn how to read the nastaliq script unique to Urdu. It is a little more difficult to read in comparison to Arabic/Pashto/Dari but the book is repetitive enough to reinforce what you learn. In my opinion Urdu is a very pretty sounding language that flows nicely and softly. Urdu and Pashto are probably my favorite sounding languages.
I would highly recommend this publisher to anyone interested in learning a foreign language. The books are a bit pricey but the audio is free and is performed by native speakers at a normal speaking tone.
This is an excellent introduction to the Dari language. I have done self-study in Pashto, Uzbek, and Tajiki by the same publisher, Georgetown UniversiThis is an excellent introduction to the Dari language. I have done self-study in Pashto, Uzbek, and Tajiki by the same publisher, Georgetown University Press, and these are great. This is a great elementary introductory level of the language and there is an intermediate second volume. Dari is a member of the Persian family which includes: Farsi (spoken in Iran), Tajiki (spoken in Tajikistan), and now Dari, which is spoken in Afghanistan. By ear, I cannot distinguish Farsi from Dari yet in normal conversation, but my Afghan coworkers can instantly.
The three languages share mutual intelligences but are considered languages by many linguists. While Fasri and Dari use a somewhat modifed Arabic script; Tajiki uses the Cyrillic alphabet that it adopted during its time under the Soviet Union.
These books have lessons that include grammar, listening exercises, vocabulary and sentence recall, dictation and transcription which are all great ways to becoming a well rounded speaker, reader, writer, and listener in the target language. I would highly recommend this publisher to anyone interested in learning a foreign language. The books are a bit pricey but the audio is free and is performed by native speakers at a normal speaking tone.
This is an outstanding two-part book set on the Pashto language. I have done self-study in Tajiki and Uzbek also by the same publisher, Georgetown UniThis is an outstanding two-part book set on the Pashto language. I have done self-study in Tajiki and Uzbek also by the same publisher, Georgetown University Press, and these books are amazing. The lessons are laid out nicely and gradually progress into an intermediate level speaker, reader, writer, and listener in the target language.
The lessons started out with the alphabet, the sounds, dictation exercises, listening and transcriptions, and more. Daily activities, school, family, doctors visits, and much more are taught in these two volumes.
I was stationed at Ramstein Air Base as a Pashto translator during the US withdrawal and subsequent evacuation from August to October 2021. I used the language 10-12 hours a day and I wish I had these as refreshers during that time. Instead I had help from some Afghan friends there and Defense Language Institute (DLI) familiarization kits online to supplement what I had learned years ago.
Pashto is such a beautiful language and such a friendly sounding language. The grammar and syntax are confusing sometimes but add to the mystique of the Pashtun people and their culture and language.
I would HIGHLY encourage anyone interested in learning a foreign language to check with Georgetown University Press languages. The online audio to go with the book (free), the lessons, the cultural notes, and exercises are superior to any other language publication I know.
This is an excellent introduction to the Uzbek language. I have done self-study in Tajiki and Pashto by the same publisher, Georgetown University PresThis is an excellent introduction to the Uzbek language. I have done self-study in Tajiki and Pashto by the same publisher, Georgetown University Press, and these are great. This is the elementary introductory level of the language and there is an intermediate second volume. These books have lessons that include grammar, listening exercises, vocabulary and sentence recall, dictation and transcription which are all great ways to becoming a well rounded speaker, reader, writer, and listener in the target language.
I would highly recommend this publisher to anyone interested in learning a foreign language. The books are a bit pricey but the audio is free and is performed by native speakers at a normal speaking tone.
This book is designed to aid in passing the HSK 1 exam. HSK is Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi which is an exam for non-native speakers of Chinese outside of maThis book is designed to aid in passing the HSK 1 exam. HSK is Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi which is an exam for non-native speakers of Chinese outside of mainland China. The exam can be taken anywhere and is governed by the Ministry of Education of the Peoples' Republic of China. There are 6 levels of examination to test for proficiency. There is vocabulary (words and characters), listening, reading, and writing. HSK 1 requires the memorization of 150 words/174 characters, 20 listening questions in a 15-minute period, 20 reading in a 17-minute period, but no writing at this level. [image] [image] [image] This book is a detailed immersion-style with 15 lessons. The book is written in Chinese/English with transliterated pinyin and the accompanying audio. The lessons have tones, stroke order, radicals, and you develop the language relatively quickly. It starts with greetings and basic grammar to more complicated sentences and grammar (adverbs, modifiers, pronunciation rules, etc.). I would like to take the HSK 1 exam sometime next year just for fun. I would recommend this for anyone wanting to further their Chinese language skills and/or for passing that exam. Thanks!...more
This is a workbook for writing Mandarin Chinese characters based on the HSK 1 exam. There are two characters you learn per page. Each character is broThis is a workbook for writing Mandarin Chinese characters based on the HSK 1 exam. There are two characters you learn per page. Each character is broken down by stroke order for you to rapidly learn. There are 60 tianzige boxes to for each character to help you with stroke order and spatial awareness to create legible Chinese characters.
This book has 174 basic character practice, compound word practice, and flashcards you can cut-out. I like this book because it's self-paced and forces you to practice correct writing. Highly recommended for beginning Chinese students. Thanks! ...more
This is a great starting point for anyone wishing to learn Mandarin Chinese. The author presented the language clearly and concisely. The author givesThis is a great starting point for anyone wishing to learn Mandarin Chinese. The author presented the language clearly and concisely. The author gives a good well-rounded approach to learning. You're going to learn a lot of vocabulary but there is a method to the madness. Shaolan Hseuh starts with an introduction to include how to use the book. She presents a unique system of building block, compound, and phrase. This helped me learn the basic word and then learn newer compound words around the first word. It really is a well-developed learning scheme. [image] [image] [image] Each chapter is arranged by topic: family, people, numbers & counting, weather, animals, foods, descriptions, colors, health & well-being, travel, cities, and much more.
I would highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to learn Chinese, especially for visual learners. Thanks!...more
This the only Sorbian dictionary for English speakers that I have seen. Sorbian, also known as Wendish or Lusatian, is a Slavic language spoken in LusThis the only Sorbian dictionary for English speakers that I have seen. Sorbian, also known as Wendish or Lusatian, is a Slavic language spoken in Lusatia, the southeastern-most part of Germany. Although surrounded by German speakers for centuries, the Sorbs have preserved their language. This dictionary covers the Upper Sorbian written language, mainly spoken northwest of the city of Bautzen. [image] I searched through to find common words that most other Slavic languages all share. I was surprised to see a lot of them. Here are several mutual words and you can see the morphology they have.
brother and sister Sorbian: bratr a sostra Polish: brat i siostra Serbian: §Ò§â§Ñ§ä §Ú §ã§Ö§ã§ä§â§Ñ (brat i sestra) Bulgarian: §Ò§â§Ñ§ä §Ú §ã§Ö§ã§ä§â§Ñ (brat i sestra) Russian: §Ò§â§Ñ§ä §Ú §ã§Ö§ã§ä§â§Ñ (brat i sestra) Ukrainian: §Ò§â§Ñ§ä §Ú §ã§Ö§ã§ä§â§Ñ (brat i sestra)
This was a great introduction to the Yucatec language of the Yucatan Peninsula and northern Belize. The originating Proto-Mayan language has been siteThis was a great introduction to the Yucatec language of the Yucatan Peninsula and northern Belize. The originating Proto-Mayan language has been sited as the dominant regional tongue as early as 2000 B.C. Over time Yucatec, or 'Mayan' emerged as an a separate branch around 1000 B.C. Today the language remains in use as the 'Yucatecan' branch and encompasses various dialects, regional variations, and can be slightly altered from village to village. [image] John Montgomery presents the language clearly here in both a two-way dictionary and a phrasebook. He starts off with pronunciation, spelling, and explains the complex vowel system (15 different vowel conventions). He then does an excellent job at explaining the complicated grammar, verb conjugations (transitive, intransitive, completives/incompletives, subjective, passive, irregular), nouns, prepositions, plurals, demonstratives, possessives, etc. I think this is probably the most intricate language system I have ever come across (and I have studied dozens of languages). Additionally, Maya utilizes auxiliary verb constructs and phrase/discourse markers that further complicate the language.
Besides the grammar, modulation of tone and pitch gives Maya a marked singsong quality best learned by imitation. This rhythmic, mellifluous characteristic makes Maya one of the most attractive Native American languages still spoken today. Syncopated vowels, stress and intonation to create vowel 'shapes', gemination, ejectives, and glottal stops all add to the beauty of the language.
A modern example can be found in Mel Gibson's "Apocalypto". The entire movie was filmed in Yucatec Maya. I would recommend this to anyone interested in Native American languages or anyone interested in languages. Thanks!
This is another standard Teach Yourself language aid. The Afrikaans language is a neat sounding language in my opinion. It evolved from the Dutch vernThis is another standard Teach Yourself language aid. The Afrikaans language is a neat sounding language in my opinion. It evolved from the Dutch vernacular of Holland (Hollandic dialect) spoken by the largely Dutch settlers (and then by the native Africans who associated with them) in South Africa, where it gradually began to develop distinguishing characteristics in the course of the 18th century. Afrikaans is now considered its own language and has distinct morphology, grammar, and spelling that differs from standard Dutch.
1. How are you? Afrikaans: Hoe gaan dit met jou? Dutch: Hoe gaat het met je?
2. I am fine/well, thank you. Afrikaans: Ek is oukei, dankie. Dutch: Hoe gaat goed met mij, dank je.
3. Good morning Afrikaans: Goeiemore Dutch: Goedemorgen
4. Good night: Afrikaans: Goeie nag Dutch: Goedenacht
The book is broken into the usual lessons to include greetings/introductions, going on a trip, eating & shopping, etc. Each chapter has an audio dialogue related to the topic that is helpful. The vocabulary lists, grammar explanations, and basic review exercises are helpful at learning the language. I would recommend this publisher or the Routledge Colloquial series if you or someone is serious about language self-study. Thanks! ...more
This is a really good book and audio program to Estonian self-study. The audio is essential for learning to hear and replicate the Estonian language. This is a really good book and audio program to Estonian self-study. The audio is essential for learning to hear and replicate the Estonian language. The lessons in the book clearly present grammar explanations (noun declinations, verb conjugations) and vocabulary builder drills are great. Each chapter has an audio dialogue related to the specific lesson to include introductions, travel, ordering food, at the doctor, on a trip, etc. Within each chapter there's dialogue, vocabulary drills, and grammar.
I would highly suggest Routledge Colloquial Estonian because of the native speakers in the audio. Thanks!...more
This is a good way to learn Finnish. The book is designed for someone with no working knowledge of Finnish. The structured sessions will take you beyoThis is a good way to learn Finnish. The book is designed for someone with no working knowledge of Finnish. The structured sessions will take you beyond the basic beginner to an intermediate student. The text is standard Teach Yourself to include the dialogue, vocabulary sets, and grammar explanations. Each chapter is a different theme like greetings and introductions, eating, going out, going on a trip, etc. The accompanying audio is good and a necessity to learning this pretty language. I would suggest this to anyone wishing to learn this unique sounding language. Thanks!...more
This is a neat little dictionary. The author gives an introduction on the Gypsy language and its dialects. This dictionary reflects the vocabulary of This is a neat little dictionary. The author gives an introduction on the Gypsy language and its dialects. This dictionary reflects the vocabulary of two Bulgarian Gypsy dialects: the Sofia Erli dialect and the Sliven dialect, used by the Christian Gypsies of Bulgaria. Erli dialect is widespread throughout Europe and Sliven is the oldest single-dialect in Bulgaria. Next the author gives the alphabet and phonetic explanation unique to the Gypsy language.
This is a concise and small dictionary with minimal phrases found in the translation entry. Here are few examples of words and phrases:
Gypsy: romano Gypsy way, Gypsy tradition: romanipe What is your name? Sar si to alav? How are you? Sar sinyan? good: lacsho bad: bi-lacho
Overall this was a unique little book for a rare language. I wish the author would make something more intensive with grammar and workbook exercises, vocabulary drills, and audio. I would recommend it if you're into studying languages and cultures. Thanks!...more
Paiboon Publishers consistently makes excellent textbook/workbooks for learning Southeastern Asian languages. This language has a rather complex alphaPaiboon Publishers consistently makes excellent textbook/workbooks for learning Southeastern Asian languages. This language has a rather complex alphabetical system I think is challenging. Each chapter touches on a few letters and vowels for gradual progressive learning of the language. There are vocabulary lists, converstion pieces, and some grammar notes within each chapter.
Lao is very similar to Thai in terms of using a modified Khmer alphabet and having tones. In addition, the language has tonal indicator marks (that I still don't completely understand). I found learning Lao very fun and musical because of tonal distinction; the language is almost musical. I definitely suggest the CDs for this book.
Honestly I recommend anything from this publisher to include Vietnamese, Thai, and Burmese for Beginners. These self-study courses are aimed for people with little to no exposure to the language. Thanks!...more
Paiboon Publishers did another excellent job making this workbook for learning Cambodian. This language has a rather complex alphabetical system I thiPaiboon Publishers did another excellent job making this workbook for learning Cambodian. This language has a rather complex alphabetical system I think is challenging. Each chapter touches on a few letters and vowels for gradual progressive learning of the language. There are vocabulary lists, converstion pieces, and some grammar notes within each chapter.
Cambodian differs from other languages in the region (Lao, Thai, Vietnamese) because there are no tones. The audio CDs sold by the publisher are clear and easy to hear. Due to complexity and the lack of tonal distinction, I definitely recommend the audio because repetitive listening can help tune your ear to the language.
Honestly I recommend anything from this publisher to include Vietnamese for Beginners and Lao for Beginners. These self-study courses are aimed for people with little to no exposure to the language. Thanks!...more
Paiboon Publishing did a great job creating something for the beginner. This is perfect for any beginner with zero knowledge of Vietnamese. The authorPaiboon Publishing did a great job creating something for the beginner. This is perfect for any beginner with zero knowledge of Vietnamese. The author does a great job of presenting the sounds, tones, alphabet, vocabulary lists, sentences constructions, grammar, and conversations. Each chapter has review exercises to reinforce what you learned. The audio CDs that go with the book are clear and each word/phrase is easy to hear!
If you want to learn Vietnamese and have no knowldge of the language at all. Great for beginners and self-study. The book is clearly laid out and neatly presented. I would definitely suggest for Vietnamese self-study. Thanks!...more
The book breaks down each letter/character of the Panjabi alphabet with a picture and an example of the word. You are able to trace the word and see how exactly to reproduce the character.
This is a small book (48 pgs) and is ideal fro anyone at any age involved in self-study of the language. I would recommend it. Thanks!...more
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