Language World

India

Useful and user-friendly, August 4, 2001
Reviewer: A reader from North Hills, NY USA
The books in the newer series of Lonely Planet phrasebooks are all excellent, because the authors make the assumption that the reader is an educated and literate individual, who wants to know something more about the target language than just a list of supposedly common phrases. There is a tremendous amount of information packed into this handy little book. Contrary to what another reviewer said, the book makes a very clear distinction between Hindi and Urdu words. The sections on script and grammar are well done. Overall, it is probably the best Hindi/Urdu phrasebook available.

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The Rough Guide Hindi and Urdu phrasebook is a highly practical introduction to the major languages of India. Laid out in clear A-Z style, it uses key-word referencing to lead you straight to the words and phrases you want – so if you need to book a room, just look up ‘room’. The Rough Guide gets straight to the point in every situation, in bars and shops, on trains and buses, and in hotels and banks.

The main part of the Rough Guide is a double dictionary: English-Hindi/Urdu then Hindi/Urdu-English. Before that, there’s a section called The Basics, which sets out the fundamental rules of the language and its pronunciation, with plenty of practical examples. You’ll also find here other essentials like numbers, dates, telling the time and basic phrases.

Forming the heart of the guide, the English-Hindi/Urdu section gives easy-to-use transliterations of the Hindi/Urdu words, and to get you involved quickly in two-way communication, the Rough Guide includes dialogues featuring typical responses on key topics – such as asking directions. Feature boxes fill you in on cultural pitfalls as well as the simple mechanics of how to make a phone call, what to do in an emergency, where to change money and more. Throughout this section, cross-references enable you to pinpoint key facts and phrases, while asterisked words indicate where further information can be found in The Basics.

The Hindi/Urdu-English section is in two parts: a dictionary, arranged phonetically, of all the words and phrases you’re likely to hear (starting with a selection of slang and colloquialisms); then two compilations (Hindi then Urdu), arranged by subject, of all the signs, labels, instructions and other basic words you might come across in print or in public places.

Finally the Rough Guide rounds off with an extensive Menu Reader. Consisting of food and drink sections (each starting with a list of essential terms), it’s indispensable whether you’re eating out, stopping for a quick drink or browsing through a local food market. yatra sukhad rahe! (H) khariyat se jayehave a good trip! have a good trip!

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Platform: Mac OS, Windows 95 / Me / 2000 / XP / NT / 98
Media: CD-ROM
Features:

• Award-winning program selected by the U.S. State Department, the Peace Corps and NASA
• Over 800 real-life color pictures and phrases spoken by native speakers
• Curriculum with 12 activities in each of 22 lessons (ages 6 and older)
• Develops all key language skills: Listening Comprehension, Reading, Speaking and Writing
• Previews, tests and automated tutorials that "learn" where you need extra help

Now you can learn a new language with the award-winning method used by the U.S. State Department to train diplomats. Proven effective by NASA astronauts, Peace Corps volunteers, and millions of students worldwide, the Rosetta Stone Language Library teaches new languages faster and easier than ever before.

We all learn our childhood language by associating new words and phrases with the world around us. The Rosetta Stone method replicates this process by presenting vivid, real-life images to convey the meaning of each new phrase. Instead of translating, memorizing, and studying rules of grammar, you actually learn to think in the new language. Vocabulary and grammar are integrated systematically, leading to everyday proficiency. It's the natural way to learn.

The Rosetta Stone Explorer contains 22 lessons for beginning learners with nearly 900 real-life images and phrases spoken by native speakers. It develops all key language skills--listening comprehension, reading, speaking, and writing--while its systematic structure teaches vocabulary and grammar naturally, without lists and drills. Includes previews, exercises, and tests for every lesson, with automated tutorials throughout the program. (Ages 6 and older)

System requirements
PC:

• Windows 95/98 or NT/2000
• Pentium 100 class processor
• 32 MB RAM
• 40 MB free hard drive space
• 4X CD-ROM drive
• 16-bit color display
• 16-bit Windows compatible sound card
• Speech Recognition feature requires a Pentium 100 class processor (or better) and a microphone

MAC:

• Mac OS 8.1 or later
• PowerPC processor
• 32 MB RAM
• 40 MB free hard drive space
• 4X CD-ROM drive
• 16-bit color display
• Speech Recognition feature requires a PowerPC 90 processor (or better) and a PlainTalk compatible microphone

This item can only be shipped within the USA.

This thoroughly modern and accessible course in Hindi teaches both Hindi and romanized script. Colloquial Hindi is easy to use and completely up-to-date. Specially written by an experienced teacher for self-study or class use, the course offers you a step-by-step approach to written and spoken Hindi. No prior knowledge of the language is required. What makes Colloquial Hindi your best choice in personal language learning?

• it's interactive - lots of exercises for regular practice
• it's clear - concise grammar notes
• it's practical - useful vocabulary and pronunciation guide
• it's complete - including answer key and special reference section.

Cassettes accompany the course to help you with listening and pronunciation skills. By the end of this rewarding course you will be able to communicate confidently and effectively in a broad range of situations.

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The first new Hindi-English dictionary in over a century, The Oxford Hindi-English Dictionary is the comprehensive reference to modern standardized language, both spoken and literary. This handy paperback dictionary is designed to meet the needs of the growing number of people now learning to speak Hindi. It provides translations for over 36,000 headwords, using illustrative material to show words in use.

Students of Hindi and South Asian studies of all kinds will find extensive coverage of historical Hindi, together with the most up-to-date colloquial and literary vocabulary. In addition, the Urdu vocabulary of Hindi is well represented. Providing contemporary, idiomatic Hindi and English, The Oxford Hindi-English Dictionary is the perfect reference guide for students, businesspeople, and travelers alike.

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mujhe bahut pasand hai!, October 19, 2001
Reviewer: Shayn McCallum from Ankara, Turkey
This is a great book for students who want a solid base in both written and spoken Urdu. My main interest at the moment is in Urdu sufi literature and this course really gives a great start (although its focus is mostly on more useful, everyday language it's not hard to jump to more complicated texts once you have a sufficient base). The "Teach Yourself" series is generally good and targets the most useful and relevant parts of the language to teach. This book is another great example.Mujhe bahut pasand hai!

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This unique book opens the door to the fundamentals of reading and writing a language with a non-Roman alphabet. The interactive, accessible approach to learning presented in Teach Yourself Hindi Script guides you through lessons and exercises based on real-life situations and appeals to the student and tourist alike.

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Attn: Beginners, Brush up-ers & Travelers, April 10, 2000
Reviewer: Priya Shah from U.S.
This is a must carry-on if you are traveling to India, are a beginner learning to speak Hindi or are trying to smply Brush-up on your speaking skills. Navigating thru the book is really easy -- no need to fumble at all! Key phrases and words that are a staple of the Hindi Language are all included -- even multiple words. An excellent buy & investment. Quick references will truly come in quite handy.

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SPEAK HINDI TO LEARN HINDI
The Pimsleur Method will have you speaking Hindi in just a few short, easy-to-use lessons. Learn at your own pace, comfortably and conveniently. No books to study. No memorization drills.

LEARN HINDI AS YOU LEARNED ENGLISH
You learned English by listening. With Pimsleur, you listen to learn Hindi. This Language Program was developed by renowned memory expert, Dr. Paul Pimsleur. His research led him to the realization that the most important use of memory is in language learning. Based on this, Dr. Pimsleur designed a learning program that works for any language. The Pimsleur Language Program is an integrated system which immerses you in the language, encouraging you to hear, understand and use the language all at the same time.

Now you can take advantage of Dr. Pimsleur's research. At the completion of these eight lessons you will comfortably understand and speak at a beginner level.

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This unique series opens the door to the fundamentals of reading and writing a language with a non-Roman alphabet. The interactive, accessible approach to learning presented in Teach Yourself . . . Script guides readers through lessons and exercises based on real-life situations and appeals to the student and tourist alike.

Click UK or Canada to check for price and availability in those countries.

Platform: Mac OS, Windows Me / NT / 2000 / XP / 98 / 95
Media: CD-ROM
Features:

• Award-winning program selected by the U.S. State Department, the Peace Corps and NASA
• Over 3500 real-life color pictures and phrases spoken by native speakers
• Curriculum with 12 activities in each of 92 lessons (ages 6 and older)
• Develops all key language skills: Listening Comprehension, Reading, Speaking and Writing
• Previews, tests and automated tutorials that "learn" where you need extra help

Learn a new language with the award-winning method used by the U.S. State Department to train diplomats. Proven effective by NASA astronauts, Peace Corps volunteers, and millions of students worldwide, the Rosetta Stone Language Library teaches new languages faster and easier than ever before.

We all learn our childhood language by associating new words and phrases with the world around us. The Rosetta Stone method replicates this process by presenting vivid, real-life images to convey the meaning of each new phrase. Instead of translating, memorizing, and studying rules of grammar, you actually learn to think in the new language. Vocabulary and grammar are integrated systematically, leading to everyday proficiency.

The Rosetta Stone Level I program offers a comprehensive course of study for beginning learners, leading to intermediate proficiency. The program contains over 3,500 real-life images and phrases in 92 lessons and more than 250 hours of mastery instruction in listening comprehension, reading, speaking, and writing. Systematic structure teaches vocabulary and grammar naturally, without lists and drills. There are reviews, exercises, and tests for every lesson with automated tutorials throughout the program. (Ages 6 and older)

System Requirements:
PC:

• Windows 95/98 or NT/2000
• Pentium 100 class processor
• 32 MB RAM
• 40 MB free hard drive space
• 4X CD-ROM drive
• 16-bit color display
• 16-bit Windows compatible sound card
• Speech Recognition feature requires a Pentium 100 class processor (or better) and a microphone

MAC:

• Mac OS 8.1 or later
• PowerPC processor
• 32 MB RAM
• 40 MB free hard drive space
• 4X CD-ROM drive
• 16-bit color display
• Speech Recognition feature requires a PowerPC 90 processor (or better) and a PlainTalk compatible microphone

Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.