5 comments about Teach Yourself Danish Complete Course Package (Book + 2CDs) (TY: Complete Courses).

1. Overall this is a very good book: it explains the grammar clearly, it has many reading passages, accurate cultural information, and effective excercises.
   You can complete this package in around 6 months with daily studies.
   
   One of the things I especially liked was that the dialogues cover a very wide range of scenarios, from having dinner with people to going to see the doctor - so you build up a very practical vocabulary.
   
   It is essential that the beginner gets the cd's that accompany this book, because Danish, as well as Swedish and Norwegian, do not follow logical pronunciation patterns.
   For example, the Danish letter 'e' can be pronounced as: 'i' as in "fit", 'ur' as in "fur", 'ae' as in "fang", 'e' as in "bed", 'ew' as in "few", 'ai' as in "eye"...even though the spelling is exactly the same in all cases.
   There is no specific rule that determines how it is pronounced in a given situation, it all depends on the word itself, so the pronunciation of a word containing 'e' has to be memorized accurately.



2. well i got this book with cds to help me learn danish so i could speak to my friend in her native languge..well she even said that the way they teach new people danish is crap... I dont understand what is going on I end up having to have her explain everything they are saying in the book so a waste of money..she is just teaching me online... i learn more just talking to her.. the book is alittle help but not recomended for you if your just learning and never spoke or heard danish...



3. The approach is terrific. There are some typos and a few missing word definitions but all in all I have found it most helpful in learning danish and I am not that great at learning languages.



4. I became interested in learning Danish to further explore my Danish roots. This has been the best guide to help me with that. The language is very useful, and there are a lot of phrases and vocabulary so you'll have to pace yourself so that you don't become overwhelmed. Danish is comparable to English in that the way it is spelled differs from how it is pronounced. Without the audio, you will not be able to speak Danish. The audio is essential. However, the audio does sometimes go a little slow. Real life Danish is a little faster and so you'll need to expose yourself to it to get used to the speed. But this is definitely a great book to have if you intend to actually learn Danish.



5. My father is Danish, and this spring when I went to visit my Danish family, I promised myself I would learn some Danish. Every day in the car to and from work I did the "sound it out" exercises, and at night I would do the book work. I learned Danish pretty well (speaking and understanding at least, not really with the writing), and impressed my family!
   
   I would definitely encourage using this system! It's great for anywhere and you can learn fairly quickly, as long as you dedicate yourself to it.

5 comments about Dutch, Basic: Learn to Speak and Understand Dutch with Pimsleur Language Programs (Simon & Schuster's Pimsleur).

1. Outstanding introductory CD course to this language. Pronunciation is made clear as well as slow and repetitious language building. Speed for building pronunciation and vocabulary is quite fast due to the recap beginning at the start of each new successive lesson. A definite recommend.



2. This is a really great product, I had a really big improve after I use it. Besides it explains the context from the phrases, it also explains how the pronunciation should be. Great product! I will buy the now Conversational Dutch!!



3. After failed attempts with other lessons that promised "be where you want to be" yet required a workbook, or launched straight into conversations with your dentist, Pimsleur's Basic Dutch is a true, commuter-friendly beginner's Dutch on CD.
   
   The (well-priced) package contains 5 CDs, with 2 lessons per CD, lasting about 30 minutes each. The lessons build upon one another, increasing vocabulary, understanding of sentence structure, and confidence. The male and female characters converse with each other, and the listener, teaching syntax and cases through phrases you'd actually use during travels. You're also exposed to regional pronunciations, (my Dutch husband says the guy is from the south), so a heads-up on a bit of variance there.
   
   Pimsleur's approach is as fun as the language is challenging, and the lessons really work. You find yourself trying to beat the speaker to the Dutch translation, and laughing at the guy's insistence to have lunch at his house. It's the perfect way to make the most of a daily commute, and my Dutch in-laws are impressed with my rapid progress and accurate pronunciation, so I highly recommend this product.



4. I've used this program in Japanese, Spanish, and now Dutch. For the other two languages, I bought Japanese I - 3rd Ed.: Learn to Speak and Understand Japanese with Pimsleur Language Programs (Comprehensive) and Conversational Spanish: Learn to Speak and Understand Spanish with Pimsleur Language Programs (Simon & Schuster's) (Spanish Edition), but i only needed the very basics for Dutch.
   
   With the Pimnsleur method, not only did it provide a good foundation for learning more complex sentences, but I have received compliments from native speakers on my accent, which was important to me.
   
   It may not seem like much, but if you at least make the effort to learn to say, "I'm sorry, I don't understand. Do you speak English?" you get treated much better. I've been traveling overseas my whole life, and an American who makes the effort to learn a few phrases makes a better impression than an American who expects everyone to speak English.
   
   If anything, I recommend the basic programs, in case you find yourself stranded overseas due to an unexpected emergency.



5. These cd's are very basic and don't teach you very much. They go very slow. It's ok if you just want to learn how to say how are you and such.

5 comments about Berlitz Greek Phrase Book & Dictionary (Berlitz Phrase Book).

1. This is split up for types of conversations you need. Not easily looked up unless you study the book.



2. I bought this book when I arrived in Greece almost 10 years ago, which is when it was published. I'm not Greek and at that time didn't understand a single word or even how to read the alphabet, so I couldn't write an informed review about whether it was helpful. When I used it in Greece, it seemed that people only understood me half of the time, and I couldn't figure out why. I ended up purchasing another phrase book sold in Athens, and that went much better.
   
   Now that I know Greek, I can say for certain that this book is in need of an update...and badly. Many of the words are uncommon ways of expressing a word and not the way people really communicate with each other, i.e., 'artopoleio' is an traditional word used for bakery. People will still understand what you mean if you say that, but they'll giggle a little because we all say 'fournos' in modern-day Greece. Further, the phrase book includes Greek for 'shopping mall.' Ten years ago, there was no shopping mall so that entry was useless, and even now there are less than a dozen (most in Athens, of course). Aside from that, it's difficult to find the right phrase because of the way it's organized.
   
   I understand it's difficult to choose a Greek phrasebook. There aren't that many on the market, Berlitz is a trusted name and, if you don't know Greek, there's no way to know whether it's good or bad. It'll still get you by, there are just others out there that are better.



3. It looks like a great help....shows Greek words and phrases in Greek letters with translation into English, pronunciation of response phrases, all organized by subject/category.
   We'll know more when we get to Greece, in 3 weeks!



4. I am so glad that I was able to find this book since I had looked in so many shops. I find it extremely helpful for my trip



5. This book makes sense for the vacationing traveller to Greece. There's no time to learn the language, but Berlitz gives you conversational phrases that you can commit to memory. My Greece trip has not happened yet, but I know this book will be helpful as it has sentences in the Greek letters, English translation, and Greek-in-English translation, arranged by subject. All I need to do is point to the sentence, and I'll be understood. Also, the book is pocket-sized, and color-coded. Andeeo! (Goodbye)

5 comments about 201 Dutch Verbs: Fully Conjugated in All the Tenses (201 verbs series).

1. One of the many books I have purchased while learning Dutch and by far the most useful. Having many commonly used verbs fully conjugated in all the tenses at your fingertips, takes out a lot of stress! I feel as though it's my secret weapon and an absolute Godsend! Great reference at the start of the book too!! Best buy!!



2. That's really amazing book that will help you to avoid tricky moments in Dutch language (and there is a lot of them).
   
   Together with this book i would also recommend to buy grammar book
   "Essential Dutch Grammar ". Also from Henry Stern.
   
   This two books are perfect combination for beginners and intermediate level users (can I say it like that?). This books are in my collection and i for sure not gonna sell it in next 10 years.



3. There are very few resources for learning Dutch and even fewer good resources. However, this book is a must, it has grammar elements in the front, goes through the verbs, and then ends with a list of 1500 verbs. If you are truely serious about learning Dutch this is a book that needs to be included in your studies.



4. Agree with all the other reviewers, this is a vital reference for learning Dutch. Of particular benefit are the complete listing of separable verbs, which is one of the more difficult areas of Dutch grammar for English speakers to learn.



5. A warning. This book does not have the same size font as the "501 Verbs" books that you find in other languages (eg, "501 Spanish Verbs," "501 German Verbs," etc.) The text in "201 Dutch Verbs" is extremely tiny. If you're over the age of 30 or so, you'll need a magnifying glass to make use of this book.

5 comments about Beginner's Danish with 2 Audio CDs (Danish Edition).

1. This book really got me going with a language that I thought I would never learn.
   It is clearly structured and takes me by the hand as I explore not only the language but also the culture of a Danish family. The dialogues are down-to-earth and very relevant for any student, in the classroom or at home. And I feel like I got to know the family by the end of the book!
   I hope there will be a second follow-up book, so I can take the Danish I have learned even further.



2. There isn't exactly a plethora of Danish language learning books out there, and quite a number of those are `ho-hum.' However, this is one I can recommend if its style of instruction fits your style of learning--that is, if you are serious about learning the language and you are willing to put in the study time. If that's the case, you should like this book.
   
   I suppose those folks who study languages for kicks all have their favorite products. I know I certainly have mine, and I can say that the Hippocrene Beginner's Series language books published within the past few years (before that, watch out!) have been extremely helpful. They aren't perfect, but I just can't say enough good about them. I have the Hippocrene Beginner's Norwegian, Danish, Swedish, and I should be receiving the newly published Icelandic within a few days. All of them (hopefully including the Icelandic) are similarly formatted and pedagogically sound (not perfect, but way better than most).
   
   With Beginner's Danish, you get a cultural/language/history introduction of around 24 pages, alphabet and pronunciation section, 13 lessons, a glossary (about 50 pages), and two well-recorded CDs. Each lesson contains a dialog, list of vocabulary and phrases, grammar, footnotes of additional grammar and cultural/language info, and exercises. Although there should be more in the exercise sections, they aren't bad considering what typical books provide. I would estimate the glossary to be perhaps 1000 words--not all words and phrases in the text are included in the glossary, however. I'd say the total is somewhere between 1200 and 1500 phrases and words in this book. The CDs are nicely done. There is a pronunciation section, which with Danish is absolutely vital! Danish sounds are rough for English speakers and they tend to drop the ends of words as the French do. The recordings for each lesson typically contain a recital of the wordlist (critical in Danish!), the expressions, and the dialog/conversation. Sadly, not all dialogs are included on the CD--I suspect this is due to Hippocrene's desire to keep the Beginner's series books containing 2 CDs consistently.
   
   I will admit that I am a bit biased to the way I learn best, which is rather traditional grammar/exercise heavy (mainly because it saves time and I am not easily bored with academic material). But, having said that, I think this book does an admirable job of providing grammar and exercises that are vital to a time efficient language learning experience, yet not doing so in an overbearing way. It doesn't slam you with an overwhelming amount of grammar or number of vocabulary words. At the same time, the book offers the advantages of more modern techniques by including the audio and realistic audio segments. (A tip: don't discount the value of the audio segments and conversations. Being so `grammar centered,' I have tended to deemphasize audio until recently when I bought an Assimil French course and realized just how helpful it is. Practically memorize the dialogs. You'll be amazed at how helpful they are.)
   
   Anyway, this book is a good place to start on your Danish `trek.' Good luck in your adventure!



3. If you want to learn the Danish that is spoken in Danish homes today, especially among young people, this innovative text book is for you. The stories are engaging and the situations are so true-to-life that the reader gets a real feeling of what it is like to be in Denmark. And the dialogues on the CD are so well read that you feel like you are eavesdropping. The book also includes an informative introduction to Danish history, language and culture -- and a pronunciation guide to help with the challenges of speaking Danish.
   
   I'm not sure whether an absolute beginner will find the first chapters a bit difficult, since it doesn't start with an oversimplified "See Jens, see Jens run" kind of conversation. But for those read for an immersion in the Danish language of today, it is highly recommended. Nete Schmidt has extensive experience teaching Danish to non-Danes, and brings all her skills to play in this excellent text.



4. This audio course was not helpful formy purposes. I wanted to learn utilitarian phrases, nouns, and verb conjugation in my car or at home while doing chores. The audio CD does not provide the English translation, so while I could learn to pronounce words, without the book open in front of me, I had no idea what I was saying.



5. The material shipped was good. However, since it had CD included, the packaging could have been better. One of the CDs got damaged in the shipping

5 comments about Essential Dutch Grammar.

1. This isn't a very good grammer book. I get slowed down by the complicated and concise language. Probably the best thing to say about this is that it is overly concise.



2. I think that this book is an asset for the elementary level. Grammar is explained very clearly and really sets one up to begin reading and constructing sentances in Dutch. The concise format of the book was also extremely helpful for reviewing rules and constructions before quizzes.



3. This book is a perfect example of a good thing delivering to its promises.
   
   If you want to a understand the most important elements of the Dutch grammar, buy this book. If you want to know Dutch grammar at a level beyond intermediate, then you need extra material.
   
   However, "Essential Dutch Grammar" not only presents the simple things in a simple manner, it summarizes the most frequently used mechanisms of the language.
   
   So, with this book you get the most for the least.



4. Yes, ofcource I can recommend this product to a begginner(should atleast know how to prononce a letter/word) in Dutch language.The speciality of this book is that you can learn Dutch language by practising the sample sentences and phrases given in the book.It also includes the commonly used words in our daily life with the explanation of different rules for framing a sentence in Dutch.
   
   The only problem that I faced was the unavialability of a CD/mp3 to listen to the words and sentences gien in the book. That why I mensioned in the begging that the begginner should atleast know how to pronunce a letter in Dutch.
   
   Overall I evaluate it as a good product and true value for money.
   
   Thanks and regards,
   prasanth



5. This books is an eye-sore, however it is the best you can buy. It is a skeletal introduction yet thorough explanation of grammar.. This book taught me how to speak fluent Dutch.
   
   This book, and all of the books in this series, are best for people who have maybe learned a second language before or have a natural understanding of grammar. For me, I already knew how to learn a language, so all I needed was condensed instructions on how to understand and reproduce the grammar.
   
   If you are like me, and you learn by actually doing the language (watching videos on the net, reading foreign websites, talking to friends), then this book is a MUST. It is really the only thing you will need. If you are someone who must have formal courses or lessons or need to do multiple exercises before things click or have never studied another language before or just someone who does not generally have a "knack" for languages, use this in conjunction with a formal language instruction book. If you need further practice or elaboration on one of the points in the book, just go to googleBooks and steal some exercises from some online Dutch grammar books or go to websites that have exercises.

3 comments about Langenscheidt Universal Dutch Dictionary: Dutch - English / English - Dutch (Langenscheidt Universal Dictionary).

1. This pocket dictionary really will fit in your pocket! It has a flexible plastic cover which should wipe off easily if need be. It also has blue headwords. It appears to be as comprehensive as one would expect for this size. It includes both American and British usage (the American usage is indicated by Am). The introduction and guide to pronunciation are in both languages. There are also 22 pages at the back with information for English travelers: Dutch basic (travel) phrases, abbreviations, a mini-grammar including irregular verbs, numerals, and how to tell time. It also has metric conversions including a thermometer showing both Fahrenheit Centrigrade/Celcius in English and Dutch. (The pocket dictionaries for some other languages have all of this information for both languages; Langenscheidt apparently left the English information out of the Dutch edition so the total page count would be the same as for the other dictionaries (a cost-saving move on their part).)



2. This dictionary seems like it would be useful to travelers who need an easy-to-carry, quick reference for common words, but it is of very limited use in translating genealogical records.



3. Very handy. Easily fits in your pocket.
   Also has a useful phrases section at the end.

5 comments about Berlitz Japanese Phrase Book & Dictionary (Berlitz Phrase Book).

1. Hey,
   
   I've had to travel to Japan a couple times for work and have both this and the Lonely Planet phrasebook. While the Lonely Planet version has more stuff on how to speak in japanese I found it extremely difficult to use when I was on the street, in a store, or at my hotel trying to communicate. The berlitz is sectioned out pretty well and one thing I really appreciated which the lonely planet didn't is how to ask for a drink on the rocks. I still keep the Lonely Planet one with me when I travel over there but leave it at the hotel. When I go out and wonder around the country I'm never without my Berlitz guide. It has a little less content but I find the content is both more useful and a lot easier to get through when trying to talk with the locals.



2. I like the simplicity of the book. It is arranged in sections according to use and then also arranged alphabetically within the glossary. The only down fall for the book is that it does not have a glossary alphabetized in Japanese with the English word or phrase following it.



3. It's a bit too big, but it can be used inside or out, and it's nice. yes, it does smell a bit at first, but it goes away after awhile. it's a bit noisy too, but this can be worked around.



4. 
   
   I lived in Japan for a couple years (1962-64) in the Yokohama area and after returning home wished to stay in contact with the limited Japanese I knew. Much like 'Blackthorne' in SHOGUN, I wanted something small, something useful, something that I could use for reference. Well on March 30, 1996, I came upon this useful little tome. No matter what use you make of it, it will certainly be helpful.
   
   Is it the best out there, available, I really cannot say as this is only thing I use. One small complaint I have, someone who has been to Japan may be looking for the Japanese expression into English, rather than English to Japanese, and it will not be found in this guide. All look ups are keyed English-Japanese, rather than the other way round. Guess that is why they made Japanese-English dictionaries though. Whatever, would help if someone said 'yama' in Japanese and you could quickly look it up to see it means 'mountain', or 'hana' meaning either 'nose' or 'flower' without thumbing through the book unsuccessfully.
   
   But with that small crank aside, I love this book and use it very often. If returning to Nippon, would not want to be without it.
   
   Semper Fi.



5. I had this book a week now and I've used it several times already! Very helpful!!!!

4 comments about Dutch: Lonely Planet Phrasebook.

1. A phrasebook to a perennial European favourite that's changing rapidly. This simple pronunciation guide offers intuitive navigation for finding the right phrase. It includes a two-way dictionary packed with 3,500 words.



2. I have several Dutch phrasebooks and this is the latest one I bought and the best. I would say if it isn't the best it is one of the best dutch phrasebooks out there. I recomend this book for people moving to the Netherlands or even if they are staying for a short stay. Yes, most all Dutch can speak a good amount of English but you get really far with them if you at least try to speak Dutch. There is a food section that I found helpful several times when the waiter or waitress doesn't know what the item is in English. It also includes and English-Dutch dictionary in the back. It has great phrases from going to the bank to hanving sex with them written out in Dutch and then again in English. Make sure to purchase for you trip to The Netherlands.



3. I bought a lightly used copy of this phrasebook in anticipation of moving overseas next year. The book is well-organized and features lots of background information within each chapter - about the different types of cafes and restaurants you're likely to encounter, for example, or popular holiday traditions.
   
   Pick up a copy and it should serve you well. Happy travels!



4. This is a well organized phrasebook with useful language content and enjoyable cultural asides, for example explaining the origins and celebration of Sinterklaas. I would not hesitate to recommend it to someone interested in learning Dutch or simply visiting the Netherlands for a short time, particularly if they plan on traveling outside of Amsterdam.
   
   Key features:
   * Short introduction to Dutch grammar. This should be read to gain an understanding of the basic structure of the Dutch language, but bear in mind this is a very brief grammar introduction included to familiarize readers to the content that follows.
   * Both Flemish (Belgian Dutch) and Dutch versions of common words are noted where differences exist.
   * A culinary dictionary dedicated solely to food and dining related words.
   * Well organized, color coded sections with side labels for quick reference.
   * Included English-Dutch and Dutch-English dictionary in the back. The entries do mention whether the Dutch word is a 'de' (gendered) or 'het' (neuter) noun, indicated by a gray 'n' for neuter words.
   
   Overall this phrasebook serves its purpose well. There are a few instances of words that are not commonly used and some phrases in the social section that are rarely used in English, let alone Dutch, particularly on the pick up lines and romance pages. However these are easily spotted and fun to read aloud to a Dutch friend for a laugh.
   
   Some advice on using this or any phrasebook: You're not going to have time once you're in a situation to flip through and find what you need unless it's simply looking up a word, so review the applicable section for an upcoming situation ahead of time.
   
   Finally, bear in mind that almost everyone in the Netherlands understands at least basic English, and the majority both understand and speak English quite well. This is particularly true in Amsterdam, where many people will speak English to you by default. You will also find most menu cards in Amsterdam to be in English. However this is not to say you will not encounter plenty of Dutch on other signage and in other situations, making this book handy to have in any situation.

5 comments about The New World Spanish/English, English/Spanish Dictionary (El New World Diccionario español/inglés, inglés/español) (Spanish and English Edition).

1. I am using this dictionary for my Honors Spanish IV class. Every basic word and more appears to be wonderfully covered. Clear and detailed, with translations and definitions, this dictionary is totally worth it.



2. This is my favorite Spanish/English dictionary. My copy of many years fell apart, and I'm happy to have a new updated copy.



3. Nice and compact pocket dictionary. Very complete. Good for travelling or for quick desktop reference.
   It has pronunciation phonetics both for english as for spanish. Now i'm looking to put a cover on it, as the paperback edition is quite delicate. Then it has a list of prefixes and postfixes for both languages as well as the usual irregular and regular verbs lists.



4. I used this book during a study abroad program in Costa Rica. Without this book I would have had a bunch of trouble writing and understanding Spanish. The book describes the different uses for many of the words and explains how it is used as "slang". I would highly recomend this translation book over any other I have used.



5. The Spanish/English dictionary is most helpful in learning the Spanish language and is usefull in my Spanish class as a reference book.The book was more than I expected and am delighted with my purchase.