which phrasebook for someone who already knows some Skt?

BenJay · May 7th, 2008, 04:48

Hi

I'm planning a long trip to India and so I also want to learn some Hindi while I'm there.

I'm already fairly fluent in Pali (an ancient Middle Indic dialect) and can muddle by in Sanskrit and read Devanagiri script slowly. I've found before that I can read an Indological book catalogue in Hindi based on the similarities to Pali and Sanskrit, I guess everyday conversation is going to be harder but I already have quite a headstart. So I want a phrasebook with basic content but that uses Devanagiri script.

Given my language background, which teach yourself book/ phrasebook and English-Hindi + Hindi-English pocket dictionary would you recommend for me?

Thanks very much

BenJay · May 8th, 2008, 01:21

I found the answer to my own question by going into a travel bookshop and looking through the phrasebooks.

The standard Rough Guide phrasebook uses Hindi and Urdu scripts and roman transliteration.

machadinha · May 8th, 2008, 01:29

Really? I've found most of those travel publishers' phrasebooks absolute and near-useless rubbish, but maybe this one is different.

I'd figured with your backgrounds you would have been looking for something more advanced though. So you consider this one good? Just asking as it will be helpful to others to know.

BenJay · May 8th, 2008, 01:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

Really? I've found most of those travel publishers' phrasebooks absolute and near-useless rubbish, but maybe this one is different.

I'd figured with your backgrounds you would have been looking for something more advanced though. So you consider this one good? Just asking as it will be helpful to others to know.

Urm, probably not perfect I guess, but good enough for starters I expect. I didn't look very thoroughly to be honest; I suppose I won't really know till I've 'test driven' it in India for real.

I also learnt Thai before up to basic functional speaking and listening level. Then I just had a basic thai-english/ english-thai pocket dictionary for starters and I mostly just listened lots and learnt to speak by trial and error - like a baby really!

I also had a little notepad and a pencil to write down words I didn't recognise and ask a friend later. That was one of the most effective ways I found.

machadinha · May 8th, 2008, 02:14

Yes, it's my preferred method (a decent bilingual pocket dictionary, there are good travel varieties with some handy standard phrases, culinary too which I find important to keep the spirits up while on the road). Requires you to learn the language and script to some extent before of course, and indeed.

I have a decent DIY Hindi guide, forget the title though and I don't have it here (probably imaginatively called "Teach yourself Hindi" or something, I bought it there, it is/was widely available). It came with an audio course which I stupidly didn't buy, thinking I could do so later. They (wisely) start you off into Hindi script after lesson two or so, for lack of audio assistance I never advanced beyond that. I don't know, I just have a hard time with foreign scripts. I had a fun time trying with some local hotel boys and so on though.

Funnily, Thai was precisely what I was thinking of. I found a not-to-be-named travel guide's phrasebook just plain wrong on many things there, or at least according to the locals I'd speak to. And there's just so many handy phrases they never even thought of. By contrast, I have a bilingual Spanish dictionary-cum-phrasebook that I much treasure.

In Thailand, I traveled with a chap for a bit who'd been coming there forever, and just ever-so patiently studied his language guides on the road and took notes all the time indeed, and asking slowly-slowly and well-articulated for anything he didn't catch. He was met with good and appreciative or even just plain "natural" responses, as if it were all the course of the day; I suppose it's the way to do it indeed. (Those tonal languages though... the script aside, if you mastered that, I imagine Hindi will be a breeze.)

BenJay · May 8th, 2008, 03:53

Hindi's not tonal and it's all indo-european language group based, whereas Thai is only about 70% indo-european based (or less in everyday vocab), so I'm expecting it won't be as hard as Thai.

I did lots of music as a child so I didn't find the tonal aspect of Thai much problem. I can easily copy what I hear, but remembering it is another story of course!

edwardseco · May 8th, 2008, 04:51

I was thinking Berlitz did this too (Devanagari)..

machadinha · May 8th, 2008, 05:03

Now that you mention, the Spanish one I referred to is probably Berlitz. I find it really good for the pocket thing it is. It helps to have the basic grasp to be able to use it at all of course.

May 7th, 2008, 04:48	#1
BenJay Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: UK Posts: 8	which phrasebook for someone who already knows some Skt? Hi I'm planning a long trip to India and so I also want to learn some Hindi while I'm there. I'm already fairly fluent in Pali (an ancient Middle Indic dialect) and can muddle by in Sanskrit and read Devanagiri script slowly. I've found before that I can read an Indological book catalogue in Hindi based on the similarities to Pali and Sanskrit, I guess everyday conversation is going to be harder but I already have quite a headstart. So I want a phrasebook with basic content but that uses Devanagiri script. Given my language background, which teach yourself book/ phrasebook and English-Hindi + Hindi-English pocket dictionary would you recommend for me? Thanks very much

May 8th, 2008, 01:29	#3
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 8,498	Really? I've found most of those travel publishers' phrasebooks absolute and near-useless rubbish, but maybe this one is different. I'd figured with your backgrounds you would have been looking for something more advanced though. So you consider this one good? Just asking as it will be helpful to others to know. __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

May 8th, 2008, 01:21	#2
BenJay Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: UK Posts: 8	I found the answer to my own question by going into a travel bookshop and looking through the phrasebooks. The standard Rough Guide phrasebook uses Hindi and Urdu scripts and roman transliteration.

May 8th, 2008, 02:14	#5
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 8,498	Yes, it's my preferred method (a decent bilingual pocket dictionary, there are good travel varieties with some handy standard phrases, culinary too which I find important to keep the spirits up while on the road). Requires you to learn the language and script to some extent before of course, and indeed. I have a decent DIY Hindi guide, forget the title though and I don't have it here (probably imaginatively called "Teach yourself Hindi" or something, I bought it there, it is/was widely available). It came with an audio course which I stupidly didn't buy, thinking I could do so later. They (wisely) start you off into Hindi script after lesson two or so, for lack of audio assistance I never advanced beyond that. I don't know, I just have a hard time with foreign scripts. I had a fun time trying with some local hotel boys and so on though. Funnily, Thai was precisely what I was thinking of. I found a not-to-be-named travel guide's phrasebook just plain wrong on many things there, or at least according to the locals I'd speak to. And there's just so many handy phrases they never even thought of. By contrast, I have a bilingual Spanish dictionary-cum-phrasebook that I much treasure. In Thailand, I traveled with a chap for a bit who'd been coming there forever, and just ever-so patiently studied his language guides on the road and took notes all the time indeed, and asking slowly-slowly and well-articulated for anything he didn't catch. He was met with good and appreciative or even just plain "natural" responses, as if it were all the course of the day; I suppose it's the way to do it indeed. (Those tonal languages though... the script aside, if you mastered that, I imagine Hindi will be a breeze.)

May 8th, 2008, 03:53	#6
BenJay Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: UK Posts: 8	Hindi's not tonal and it's all indo-european language group based, whereas Thai is only about 70% indo-european based (or less in everyday vocab), so I'm expecting it won't be as hard as Thai. I did lots of music as a child so I didn't find the tonal aspect of Thai much problem. I can easily copy what I hear, but remembering it is another story of course!

May 8th, 2008, 04:51	#7
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 2,974	I was thinking Berlitz did this too (Devanagari)..

May 8th, 2008, 05:03	#8
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 8,498	Now that you mention, the Spanish one I referred to is probably Berlitz. I find it really good for the pocket thing it is. It helps to have the basic grasp to be able to use it at all of course.

User Name		Remember Me?
Password