Reviews (6)

A brilliant buy - worth every cent!
Prior to having received the book, I was a little worried that it would be too easy. I had previously studied German and found that the books I had been using for that were too simple and very limited.
Good, basic book
Why do I get the feeling that Mr. Eyster is reviewing a totally different book? He claims that lesson 2 (out of 40) is impossibly difficult for a beginner.Well, MY copy of the book has only 18 lessons, not 40, and lesson two has a simple dialogue about where people live and what they like to drink, and some fairly basic grammar.
Teach yourself helps!
So far it's working. The cd's help out alot, because you can go back over and over again. The book is writen so everyone can understand. I would recommend. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio Adult: Language    2. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    3. Foreign Language Study    4. Serbo-Croatian    5. Slavic Languages    6. Foreign Language Study / Serbo-Croatian   

Subjects:  1. Bosnian    2. Bosnian language    3. Croatian    4. Croatian language    5. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    6. Foreign Language Study    7. Grammar, Comparative    8. Language    9. Serbian    10. Serbian & Croatian    11. Serbo-Croatian    12. Slavic Languages    13. Slavic Languages (Other)    14. Foreign Language Study / Slavic Languages    15. Grammar & vocabulary   

Subjects:  1. Croatian language    2. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    3. Foreign Language Study    4. Language    5. Serbo-Croatian    6. Slavic Languages    7. Spoken Croatian    8. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    9. Croatian    10. Foreign Language Study / General    11. Language learning: audio-visual & multimedia   

Features

• Audiobook

Reviews (3)

No real alternatives
Ok. Pimsleur won't get you very far, is expensive as hell, and is somewhat cumbersome to work with. So the rest of this review will be about how in hell did I get to giving it five stars. There are several ways to go about when wanting to learn a language in an audio-only manner. You can get the "Learn in your car" from Penton Overseas. You can get the audio-only course from Living Language. Or you can take Pimsleur. From the lot, Pimsleur would be the ONLY decent answer for the utter beginner, with the other options, you will find yourself replaying the tapes a couple of times. Does any language course that is a self learning course worth this kind of money? No. That's why we have the next paragraph. Pimsleur is the best
After trying manytape language series in several different languages over the years with minimal success I landed upon the Pimsleur Method. Absorbing the high cost of the comprehensive Ukrainian I eagerly began my lessons. It absolutely exceeded my expectations. I did supplement it with a dictionary and grammar book but those pale in comparison to the value I recieved from the tapes. The product must be diligently used in compliance to the prescribed regimen on a daily basis, if done, you will learn. My Ukrainian contacts were very pleasantly suprised by my grasp of the language and I am frequently complimented on my pronunciation. I wish that Pimsleur had a follow up course to this first level. You end up with only basic skills after the 30 days but fully confident that you can learn more. Ukrainian: Pimsleur Comprehensive
If Pimsleur can teach me a language, they can teach anyone. And, they are teaching me. Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio - Language    2. Audio Adult: Language    3. Foreign Language Study    4. Serbo-Croatian    5. Slavic Languages    6. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    7. Foreign Language Study / Slavic Languages   

Reviews (1)

Not for beginners
Although the first couple of lessons on the CD are OK for beginners, the CD rapidly progresses to complex dialog. The CD would probably be more useful with the companion book or as an adjunct to another course in Slovak. By itself, it is not helpful. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    2. Foreign Language Study    3. Language    4. Miscellaneous    5. Serbo-Croatian    6. Foreign Language Study / Miscellaneous    7. Language self-study & phrasebooks    8. Slovak   

Reviews (3)

It helped my whole family
Hi, I'm thirteen and moved to the former Yugoslavia with both my parents, one of whom started a job here last year.The language is pretty complicated but this book makes it relatively easy to understand and learn. My whole family used it and still uses it.

An interesting method of learning a difficult Slavic language
I would respectfully disagree with the reviewer who objected to the use of Cyrillic in this more-than-adequate learner's text.As those who have studied the disintegration of Serbo-Croatian into its successor, ausbau languages (languages that are largely mutually intelligible but have separate grammars, orthographies, and speech patterns for the purposes of foraging national identities) of Croatian, Serbian, Bosnian, and perhaps Montenegrin can point out, Serbs today tend to use Cyrillic far more than the Latin alphabet, and at least the barest understanding of Cyrillic is requisite for anyone interested in learning this South Slavic language.It's a bit disconcerting to switch from one alphabet to another, but it's not a terrible way of approaching a language written in two scripts.
Catwoman
The first half of the first chapter sounds good and you feel you will learn some of the basics to get you by and then they throw Cyrillic at you.The rest of the dialoges are all written in Cyrillic making it impossible to follow while listening to the cd.This is not the cd and book to get if you are going as a tourist.Maybe if you plan on living there - but not to quickly learn a few words and phrases for a visit.Would not recommend it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio Adult: Language    2. Dictionaries - General    3. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    4. Foreign Language Study    5. Serbo-Croatian    6. Slavic Languages    7. Foreign Language Study / Serbo-Croatian   

Reviews (1)

Very usefull indeed!
In this review I'll try to provide a brief overview of
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Subjects:  1. Dictionaries - General    2. English    3. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    4. Foreign Language Study    5. Language    6. Self-instruction    7. Serbian language    8. Serbo-Croatian    9. Slavic Languages    10. Textbooks for foreign speakers    11. Foreign Language Study / Serbo-Croatian   

Features

• Audiobook
• Unabridged

Reviews (1)

Great starter kit
This is the best way to learn a language from the beginning. This method allows you to retain the most info. The only bad thing is that its only 10 lessons. This isn't a popular language so they didn't come out with a volumn 2. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Foreign Language Study    2. General    3. Language    4. Serbo-Croatian    5. Slavic Languages    6. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    7. Foreign Language Study / General   

Features

• Audiobook

Reviews (9)

Pimsleur's Croatian Compact
Excellent pronunciation of the language in pronunciation booklet, and good review of conversations on discs for all 10 lessons. However,a booklet of new words in Croatian with English translation used in each lesson needs to accompany each spoken lesson dialogue.

Good but no cure all
A word of note on the Pimsleur technique.Essentially it comprises three speakers; a narrator, a male speaker, and a female speaker. The course is split into 10 half-hour lessons.And, if the recommended timeframe, of one class per day, is adhered to, should take you 10 days to complete.You will no doubt review the lessons at least once, and therefore the commitment each day will generally be a solid hour of listening.
A taste is all you get
I have to give Pimsleur Croatian program five stars for the excellence of the product, but as good as the course is it may not be for you. The Pimsleur method is the only self-taught system I have ever used that actually works.The method of verbalizing, constant review and slowly working in new words and grammatical uses is effective and enjoyable.The pronuciation lessons are so good that my Croatian friends were amazed, although they quibbled that I was learning a Slavonian accent instead of a Zagreb accent. Within this excellence lies a major problem with this one-volume set.It is not nearly enough.The Pimsleur method, as is any really effective method, is time consuming.The ten half-hour lessons only add up to five hours of instruction.Repeat every lesson and still you only have ten hours.This barely scratches the surface.At the end of this course you will really only know a few words and phrases, not nearly enough to even communicate on a survival level.If you are looking for a course so as to learn enough Hrvatski (Croatian) to communicate basic travel needs, it's not here.If you are looking for a course that gives you a solid understanding of some basic Croatian words and grammar as well as excellent, contemporary pronunciation, then this is the place to start.But I guarantee you will be left wanting more.Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio Adult: Other    2. Foreign Language Study    3. Self-instruction    4. Serbo Croatian language    5. Serbo-Croatian    6. Serbo-Croatian language    7. Sound recordings for English speakers    8. Spoken Serbo-Croatian    9. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    10. Foreign Language Study / Serbo-Croatian   

Features

• Audiobook

Subjects:  1. Audio - Language    2. Foreign Language Study    3. Language    4. Serbo-Croatian    5. Slavic Languages    6. Foreign Language Study / Slavic Languages   

Reviews (2)

A good way to brush up on Hungarian
I took one term of Hungarian in college, and I've been to Hungary a few times (but only for a few days each time).So I tried getting this book to relearn some of the language before going back to Hungary this year.It helped me do just that, and I was able to converse with plenty of non-English speaking Hungarians.This is a well-written book.
Excellent New Hungarian Phrasebook!
Well, I am a native speaker of Hungarian myself, so I was quite curious to see this book.
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Subjects:  1. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    2. Former Soviet Republics    3. General    4. Hungarian    5. Multi-Language Phrasebooks    6. Reference    7. Serbian & Croatian    8. Travel    9. Former Soviet Union, USSR (Europe)    10. Hungarian (Magyar)    11. Language self-study & phrasebooks   

Subjects:  1. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    2. Serbo-Croatian    3. Language teaching & learning material & coursework   

Reviews (3)

Not worth the money
I don't understand why the author would identify this book as "Bosnian" when there doesn't seem to be much effort to include words specific to the region. It might as well be called "Very Basic Serbo-Croatian".

STAY AWAY!
This dictionary is poorly edited (with numerous typos), incomplete (random information that does not reflect the needs of a basic speaker) and, in parts, embarrassingly childish (the introduction suggests, among otherbizarre comments, that Bosnian may be too difficult to bother to learnwell? ). Bosnian Language
This book is a decent introduction into Bosnian language, which is one of the South Slavic languages. Sometimes the author is out of touch with some recent development in the language, but the overall impression of thedictionary is very good. This book is a useful tool for a beginner or atraveler. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bosnian    2. Bosnian language    3. Conversation and phrase books    4. Dictionaries    5. English    6. English language    7. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    8. Foreign Language Study    9. Polyglot Dictionaries    10. Polyglot Phrasebooks    11. Serbo-Croatian    12. Slavic Languages    13. Bilingual dictionaries   

Reviews (12)

Too small
This dictionary is of decent quality but is too concise to be of any use other than carrying with you as an emergency aid while in Croatia.

Bullet-stopper!
I was in a course to learn Serbian-Croatian and we were given this dictionary. One of my teachers used to say that this was only good for a bullet-stopper. If you are a serious student of Serbian/Croatian/Bosnia I would recommend one of the Morton Benson dictionaries and the Magner introductory course to the languages.

Excellent resource.
This is unsurpassed for a pocket dictionary.I have found few English/Croatian dictionaries to be as accurately translated oras in depth.Not perfect, but highly recommended -- and easy to carry around with you. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Language    2. Multi-Language Dictionaries    3. Reference    4. Serbian & Croatian    5. Bilingual dictionaries   

Reviews (1)

Caveat Emptor!
While this may in fact be an excellent resource, be advised that despite "complete course" in the title, and "384" pages in the product description, this is only the c.d.You still have to buy the book seperately (something I might have realized if I had taken notice of the specified dimensions and shipping weight in the product description).Therefore order a la carte and pay approx. $58 for book and cd, or order the "package edition" w/ audio cassetes for $56.95-current availability of the "package edition is 1-2 months-the cd arrived in less than a week and the "book only" is listed as being available to ship w/in 24 hours. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio Adult: Language    2. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    3. Foreign Language Study    4. Serbo-Croatian    5. Foreign Language Study / Serbo-Croatian    6. Literary & Linguistic Reference Works   

Reviews (13)

A good start, but book seems unfinished
I agree with most comments in all other reviews especially "gwilym".I have been using the book on and off for a few years while I am trying to learn the language.I too, wish to learn the Bosnian variant, and find that the book is definitely more "Croatian" in its use of vocabulary.However, considering the disolution of Yugoslavia is still fairly recent and not many newer books exist, I was very glad to have use of this book.It is quite easy to follow and the different stories provide useful vocabulary.
Vrlo Dobro
This is a great book for the beginner and those who need to brush up on their skills.Well organized, easy to follow with lessons/homework at the end of each chapter.

Destroyed by lazyness
This could be a very good book for learning Croatian. As said below, the idea with each chapter consisting of three dialogues concerning tourism, business and a soap opera is very good since it enables the learner to cope with different situations. On the whole, the grammar is presented in a clear way and after finishing the course the learner should have a good grasp of Croatian grammar. Still, somewhere along the line someone got lazy - either the author or the people at lay out. Read more

Subjects:  1. English    2. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    3. Foreign Language Study    4. Language    5. Serbo-Croatian    6. Serbo-Croatian language    7. Slavic Languages    8. Textbooks for foreign speakers    9. Croatian    10. Juvenile Nonfiction / Foreign Language Study    11. Language & Linguistics    12. Language self-study & phrasebooks    13. Serbian    14. Slavic (Slavonic) languages   

Subjects:  1. Bosnian    2. Bosnian language    3. Croatian    4. Croatian language    5. Education    6. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    7. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    8. Grammar, Comparative    9. History: World    10. Language Experience Approach    11. Serbian    12. Serbian & Croatian    13. Serbo-Croatian    14. Slavic Languages    15. Slavic Languages (Other)    16. Sociolinguistics    17. Grammar & vocabulary    18. History / Russia (pre- & post-Soviet Union)   

Reviews (4)

Just Enough Serbo-Croat
This book is designed to help you get around a Serbo-Croat speaking environment with ease.I think the book is capable of providing the basics needed to get around.I would recommend this book for foregin travelers.

Thank god !
Some one came out with this book! This is a life saver I have been together with a serbian for 5 years and have not completely learned the language. I am leaving for Bosnia in 4 days to meet my in laws and thisbook has everything I need to know! It's more that enough to get by, and Ihave purchased several books in the past for a ton more $$$ and didn't gethalf of what I got out of this book for $4.00. It's a must if yuou aregoing to FRYOG !

Learning for my child,my husband and my vacation to Bosnia
I think this book is the best book ever for getting to know the basics for this language. I know several words in serbian already but I will be meeting my in laws for the first time and I need to know more than everydaywords and enough to get by . I have purchased several learning books for aton more money than this book for the language and this has been th mosthelpful. They have the pronunciation in English and it's exactly the way Iknow it's suppose to sound due to looking at the words I already know ! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Eastern    2. General    3. Study Guides    4. Travel    5. Croatia    6. Foreign Language Study / Serbo-Croatian    7. Language teaching & learning material & coursework    8. Serbia    9. Serbo-Croatian    10. Travel & holiday guides   

Subjects:  1. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    2. Foreign Language Study    3. Language    4. Serbian & Croatian    5. Serbo-Croatian    6. Slavic Languages    7. Croatian    8. English    9. Foreign Language Study / Serbo-Croatian    10. Language self-study & phrasebooks   

Reviews (19)

Review of TY Serbo-Croat
I found this book very easy to teach myself the basic language. It is easy to use and well-laid out. It does not bombard you with loads of new words in the units yet it provides just enough new material to get your head around. I'm going to Bosnia in a few weeks and I am confident that the book has provided me with a sufficient amount of material to get by.I recommend it to those of you trying to grasp the language!

stress/accent mystery
As a student of Russian and SC, I have to say that as to grammar etc., this book is quite good.I do have a problem with calling the book "TY Serbo-Croation" when it's mainly Croation with a few notes on Serbian.Prof. Magner's book covers the differences MUCH better.He also covers the accent/stress system much better.The TY book has no indications whatsoever as to which syllable to stress. In a language where stress is mobile (can be any syllable) this kind of lack of information is almost criminal.

Unclear for grammer sticklers
I have studied several languages and used several language guides, but this is really the worst.From a grammatical standpoint, this book is a nightmare to learn from.Each chapter opens with a dialogue that no new speaker of Croat would know, thus confusing the reader.the vocabulary lists provide words that are already declined or conjugated into particular cases or persons without listing root (for example in the case of nouns the vocabulary list might provide a dative for noun without informing you of its nominative.)The exercises at the end of the chapters are insanely easy, providing no real challenge to what one has learned.This may be my personal preference, but I like to learn a language by studying its mechanics and not simply learning phrases.Although this book does lack any sense of rhythm, it is not impossible to learn from it, it just takes a little more work.Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio - Language    2. Audio Adult: Language    3. Dictionaries - General    4. Foreign Language Study    5. General    6. Language    7. Serbo-Croatian    8. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    9. Foreign Language Study / Serbo-Croatian