2 comments about Lithuanian, Compact: Learn to Speak and Understand Lithuanian with Pimsleur Language Programs (Simon & Schuster's Pimsleur).

1. I should probably start out by saying that I've been an avid language learner for about fifteen years now. I know my faults, my high points, and what the best method FOR ME is when it comes to studying a language. I bought the Pimsleur Lithuanian program mostly to improve my pronunciation, but also to learn a few key phrases as I go along. (Anybody brave enough to start learning Lithuanian will notice almost immediately that there aren't very many materials on the market as of yet- but it seems to be slowly improving.) The Pimsleur programs are quite possibly the most boring, repetetive audio programs on the market. I'm on unit 7 as I write this, and after seven units, roughly 25 minutes long apiece, I have learned only about a dozen phrases and words total. Even as an absolute beginner in learning Lithuanian, I can hardly get through one lesson without losing my mind from the repetition. I can honestly picture myself sitting in a padded room someday mumbling "Is your pronunciation like the speaker's?- Listen again..." over and over again. After you finish the first lesson, at least half of each following lesson is review, which they throw in even when they're teaching you a new word or phrase, so in the end, you end up learning practically nothing new. For the 35 bucks I paid for this program, I don't feel like being able to say "Hi, how are you? Would you like to eat something?" after SEVEN lessons is worth my money or even my time. Anybody interested in learning Lithuanian at a faster pace should try www.slic.org.au-Language-LLL_index.swf where one can not only hear but also SEE what they're learning, and the lessons (24 in all- where you'll learn about eighty times the amount you would with Pimsleur) are informative and entertaining.
   On the plus side, though, I used Pimsleur Russian to learn some Russian about four years ago, and I can still remember most of it. Then again, I repeated it SO MANY TIMES while listening to the program...



2. I really like the pimsleur method. I knew a lot of the languag already, but Pimsleur's helped me to get a good hold of the correct grammar.

4 comments about Lithuanian Dictionary: Lithuanian-English, English-Lithuanian (Routledge Bilingual Dictionaries).

1. This English-Lithuanian Dictionary is very easy to use in translating from English to Lithuanian and I really like the abundant selection of words. There are also example sentences for almost every word. The introductions are written in English and Lithuanian, but the English instructions help the best and are more thorough. What I find very helpful is the middle section which has about 30 pages of notes on grammar. This is a quick and easy reference guide in case you forget the declension or conjugation of a word and then you won't have to look it up in another book. There is also a section on Geographical areas and Acronyms. If you are looking for a book with Dictionary, English AND Lithuanian instruction, and a short section on grammar reference, this book is for you. However, I must note that this Dictionary is for intermediate speakers and writers of the Lithuanian and English Language. If you are not familiar with the language, you may have problems understanding the dictionary and the concepts it is trying to convey.



2. If you're unaware of this language, then this really isn't for you. Otherwise for the intermediate lugan speaker, GO FOR IT. I have a Lithuanian Dictionary that I purchased in Lithuania, Its good. But this is MUCH better. This has both Lithuanian and English Dictionary in it. Great job to Bronius Piesarskas, Bronius Svecevicius. Knowing of the language they have performed a great task in putting this all down in print. Sveikas!



3. No criticism of the authors, but it would be fair to say that the dictionary could be much better.

   In essence, it is just an improved version of the Soviet-time Lithuanian dictionaries, compiled at the time when authors had little chance of travelling to an English-speaking country and had little familitarity with living language (you can still feel that most of the English vernacular relates more to Dickens than to modern life).

   There is evidence of badly lacking knowledge of anything remotely economic or scientific: you will be referring to specialized dictionaries very often. It is fair to say that the book is good for a student or a casual user; any professional translator or linguist should have low expectations to avoid disappointment.

   Significant work has been done improving the dictionary compared to previous editions, but not nearly enough. At the same time, publishing dictionaries is a notoriously expensive business, involving years of work by many people - something that no publishing house in Lithuania can afford at the moment. In the circumstances, it is the best dictionary available and it will have to do; there is still enormous room for improvement.




4. Routledge's LITHUANIAN DICTIONARY is a reprinting of the dictionary by Bronius Piesarskas and Bronius Svecevicius originally published by the Zodynas press in Vilnius in 1994. The material contributed for Routledge's edition comes to only a new cover, and a brief supplement by Ian Press on Lithuanian grammar which says no more than would the decent textbook you should already have.
   
   As far as dictionaries go, this is pretty comprehensive and well-edited, not the paltry list of one-to-one translations that one finds in e.g. Hippocrene dictionaries of smaller languages. I believe this is the best option for English speakers learning Lithuanian. HOWEVER, as the dictionary was originally written for Lithuanians learning English, one important matter is missing from the Lithuanian items: the accent. The accent is especially important for scholars of comparative Baltic or Indo-European linguistics, one of the larger audiences for a Lithuanian dictionary, and it's a real pity not to see the accent indicated here. Students of the Lithuanian language should ensure that they make sure the accent of newly-learnt vocabulary items from a native speaker.
   
   I strongly suggest avoiding the Routledge printing of this dictionary. It is a fragile paperback whose binding cannot lie flat and which will soon begin to crack. It is also very overpriced, something that one regrettably comes to expect from Routledge. There's a 2002 hardbound edition from Zodynas that is very durable and can be had from Lithuania for cheap if you can pick it up there or acquire it from a Lithuanian bookshop in the U.S.

No comments about A Comparative Grammar of the Sanscrit, Zend, Greek, Latin, Lithuanian, Gothic, German, and Sclavonic Languages 3 Volume Set (Cambridge Library Collection - Linguistics).

5 comments about Lithuanian-English/English-Lithuanian (Hippocrene Concise Dictionary).

1. I was looking for an inexpensive but fairly comprehensive Lithuanian-English English-Lithuanian dictionary. This isn't it. Although the dictionary claims to have 8000 terms in each language, many common English words, like "contrast" for example, aren't in here. The word "reveal" is listed only as a noun, no reference to the verb. Also there was apparently no attempt to have all of the Lithuanian terms which are given in the English section, listed in the Lithuanian section. Consequently the Lithuanian word "atrasti", given as a term for "reveal" (noun) is not listed in the Lithuanian section. There is a pronunciation guide at the beginning of the book which is helpful, especially because Lithuanian appears to me to be a pretty phonetic language, unlike English. There are no phrases, no grammar. Don't bother with this one.



2. I learned to speak Lithuanian in Lithuania and found this dictionary to be entirely disappointing. While the compact size is nice, there are infinitely better Lithuanian dictionaries available. There are a lot of mistranslations and some of the pronunciation keys are out in leftfield. This isn't a higher form of Lithuanian, just an out-moded form. The Bronius Piesarskas/Bronius Svecevicius is a much better distionary.



3. Very basic. Only the barest words with no variations. May be good for slight converstaional meetings, but don't try to translate anything.



4. I used this dictionary to try to have a conversation with native Lithuanians. It was very difficult. The translations are not consistent and sometimes just wrong. Looking up the word for "sick" in english actually gave me the word for "tired". However, the LT to EN translation for "tired" gave me the english word for "tired". It is helpful, but not something I would exclusively use for travel.



5. Blatant errors are to be found even in the 'Guide to Pronunciation' at the begininning of this volume. No extended explanations or examples of different usages. Very basic.

No comments about Teach Yourself Lithuanian (Teach Yourself Complete Courses).

4 comments about Eastern European 12 Language Phrasebook (Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Estonian, Hungarian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Slovenian and Ukrainian)(Phrasebooks S.).

1. This guidebook is a handy, compact reference for simple survival and simple courtesy-based conversation. It is suited for the traveler who intends to visit the countries that feature these 12 languages, but not for the student who is trying to learn one particular language. Alternatively, the book will serve well the student of a language who needs a quick reference for simple phrases, should he stumble.
   
   The book features simple greetings and situational phrases, such as at the airport or the restaurant, along with a brief history of each language. It also has a section devoted to telling time, which I found lacking, since it did not cover all the times of the day (just the times within 9 o'clock, and how to say "noon," "afternoon," and "evening," for example). One of the book's strengths is its phonetic pronunciations for each translated phrase. Although I found some pronunciations were incorrect (in the Lithuanian section), it will help you in a bind.



2. Well-organized list of phrases in twelve languages. It would be ideal for a trip through several different countries in eastern and central Europe, but if you were going to spend any serious time in a single country, you would want more. It has the drawbacks common to all phrasebooks -- the phrases may not be the ones you actually need. Because this one is so compact, there is no room for glossaries or any advice on customs or grammar.
   
   Still, it has a lot of phrases in a compact, easy-to-use package.
   
   I bought this for a short trip to Romania, where I socialized largely with Hungarian speakers. Didn't need it urgently, and so rarely tested it "under fire" -- doctor, train connections, etc. But it helped me learn a few basic phrases in two different languages at the same time, which allowed me to at least seem polite. (Of course, I kept using Romanian phrases among Hungarians and vice-versa, which defeated the purpose a little, but that's not the book's fault!)



3. This is a quick way to make your needs know as you travel through a number of countries which speak other languages especially Latvian, Estonian, Lithuanian and 9 others. The basic transliteration used in the book is the same throughout the book. Familiarity of the basic outline of the 350 phrases should be done, some of which are compounded therefore you have to count the words to point to the correct one. I don't know if an audio transcript has ever been done of the book-it would be useful!The book is pocket size and fits into the back pocket of my jeans. You may want to use a removeable tab to the language in demand for easier use



4. Item as described. I haven't used it yet, but will take it on a trip to Central Europe in a couple of weeks. I'm sure it will be helpful.

No comments about Vilnius.

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

1. Very good program for learning Lithuanian. My mother had learned Lithuanian from her parents and at school. She enjoys the program very much. This progam has been a great review for her.



2. I own a couple other Lithuanian books and while this one's layout is certainly not atricious, it's not the best. They make a concerted effort for the reader to understand the words and to be able to replicate them accurately, but it gets to the point where even the last sound file goes so slowly and painfully that I at least was ripping my hair out. Nevertheless, I was incredibly grateful for the sound, the presentation, and the fact that while it did need to be supplemented, it complemented all of my other books (Beginner's Lithuanian, in particular). And indeed, I'm very pleased with it so far.



3. First off, this course is for beginners who know their grammar. If you aren't familiar with noun cases and verb conjugations, this book is not your starting point -- "Beginner's Lithuanian" takes a step-by-step approach that would be more ideal. Short Lithuanian courses can also be found online, complete with audio, that can teach you the basics for a smoother transition into this course.
   
   If you have some prior knowledge of how the language works or feel comfortable with taking on unfamiliar grammar, then this course is ideal for you. The first two units alone are daunting with the amount of information packed into each one, but the truth is that the rest of the coursebook is organized the same way. It teaches an impressive amount of vocabulary that works both for getting by in tourist situations and for everyday conversation. Each unit begins with a list of vocabulary terms (not recorded), followed by four or five short dialogues (all recorded) followed by a mix of grammar notes, exercises (a number of which on the recordings), and cultural notes. An answer key to the exercises, a listening guide to the recorded exercises, an appendix on stress/pitch, and a short dictionary are supplied at the end of the book.
   
   I'd strongly recommend getting the full course, i.e. the book and CDs instead of just the coursebook itself. The native speakers speak carefully and intentionally through the entire course, often so slowly that it becomes annoying. This is done to ensure that you learn the correct pitch and vowel length of the words spoken -- take note of the slightest differences in pronunciation of noun endings and verb forms. Of the thirteen units, only the last one has the dialogues spoken at a normal rate of speech. Had this technique been incorporated a few units earlier in the course to teach learners how the language is actually spoken, it definitely could have been a five-star course. Understanding the faster pace of normal speech is a big gap to jump after this course.
   
   From this point, if you complete the course and want to continue studies, I'd recommend "Colloquial Lithuanian". It emphasizes both grammar and spoken language and as is slightly more advanced. The accompanying audio to the course teaches the normal rate of speech, so it can definitely prepare you for what you'll actually hear.



4. This book with CDs seems to be very useful. Very distinct pronouniciatin, not too fast and subsecuently easy to follow. Grammer well explained.



5. This was a huge disappointment. Because it comes with CDs, I expected it to be a CD-based course - one that would include the opportunity to listen to vocabulary words and conversations and repeat them. No such luck. Instead, the book chapters begin with a list of vocabulary words followed by conversations. The CDs just repeat the conversations in Lithuanian. You have to go back to the vocabulary lists in the book to translate them. I don't know how you can learn from that if you don't already know the language. The CDs begin with the alphabet and the pronunciation of various letters, which is slightly better than useless. I'm really shocked at the positive reviews this has gotten. If you're a flat-out beginner, look elsewhere.

3 comments about Lithuanian-English/English-Lithuanian Dictionary & Phrasebook.

1. A handy dictionary and phrase book for a beginning student of the Lithuanian language.



2. This is a good book for getting your point accross when there is a Lithuaian / Eighish gap.



3. I use 7 or 8 different Lithuanian dictionaries. Obviously, which one is "best" depends on what your task is. For very formal communications or for finding meanings for obscure words, my expensive two volume set is probably the best. But for day-to-day or carry-in-your pocket use, no one beats Jurgita Baltrusaityte. If you are going to vacation in Lithuania, I'd definitely take this one. Many of the other Lithuanian travel dictionaries are quite weak. Ms. Baltrusaityte has a very good section on proper verb forms and the different tenses. My more typical dictionaries do not cover grammar. We've run through four or five copies of this one because we keep giving it away when we encounter Americans in Lithuania. Well-worth the modest price.

5 comments about Beginner's Lithuanian (Beginner's (Foreign Language)).

1. I used this book to learn Lithuanian before going there to spend five years studying culture and traditions. Over time I have become familiar with (I believe) all alternatives for studying Lithuanian. Despite its age, this classic method still remains the best.
   
   There was one thing missing: recordings to go with the readings and exercises. But this is no longer so! Five hours of .mp3 files indexed to the full text can be downloaded at a nominal charge. IMHO these make the book much more suited for sustained self-study. There is also a free online Lithuanian-English dictionary:
   www.afoto.com/lith
   
   To hear a sample and see the interface between the book and the recordings, take a look at: afoto.com/lith/lith.htm
   
   Lithuanian is not an easy language to learn. But I found that by listening and reading regularly for half an hour mornings and evenings over a period of a year I was able to have basic conversations with people once there.
   
   There is one final reason to choose this book. While some reviewers here construe the text as hopelessly outdated, I have a different view. The authors are scholars with a long and sustained grounding in traditional Lithuanian life. As you immerse yourself in the stories and conversations you are also getting an intimate cultural encounter. This dimension is, as a rule, completely overlooked in more "modern" methods. It has been my experience that awareness of these "non-discursive" dimensions is what opened the doors to experiences and friendships I otherwise would have missed.



2. A must to try to grasp the Lithuanian language, one of 2 baltic languages left.



3. The is the reprint of "Introduction to Modern Lithuanian" that I have used for many years. Still the best text available. Also, get the Routledge "Lithuanian Dictionary," actualy three books in one.
   
   These two books will be an excellent "Lithuanian Language Library" at your
   fingertips.



4. Key to Exercises and AUDIO of Readings available (AUDIO FREE)
   Audio recordings of the readings of this wonderful book are available FREE OF CHARGE.
   Originally created in the Language Laboratory of the world-famous University of Rochester, they are now
   available via download from the University of Indiana Center for Language Technology and Instructional Enrichment.
   Search "Indiana University Language Laboratory Recording Archives Lithuanian"
   
   Key to Exercises for Beginner's Lithuanian and Introduction to Modern Lithuanian
   
   Finally available again, the KEY TO EXERCISES is available right from Amazon.com!!
   
   Beginner's Lithuanian is not only accessible to the average person, it is also a true monument to the Lithuanian language, being truly a grammar: a compendium of all the rules necessary to speak a language.



5. There are a couple of new books on the market for learning Lithuanian, but none of them offer any improvement over this one. Published in the 1960's, it's still the most thorough and engaging introduction available. The course is well-paced, the readings are full of interesting insights into Lithuanian life and culture, and all the details of the difficult stress and accent system are marked in the text. If you want to learn Lithuanian, at least invest in a copy of this book. It would have been nice to have an audio CD of the recorded texts, but that's where one of the more modern Teach Yourself or Colloquial courses can serve as a useful supplement.