Macedonian: A Course for Beginning and Intermediate Students

Rating:
Summary: A Great Book ....but, a giant deficit.....
Review: Christina's Kramer, well respected both as a linguist as well as by the Macedonian community, has written a great book, complete in terms of Macedonian grammar, everyday speech and as a cultural learning tool.

The cultural selections included in the chapters are a delight, ranging from folk tales to decriptions of both modern and traditional weddings. Professor Kramer has spent a lot of time in the Macedonian community both in Macedonia and in the diaspora and its shows in her treatment of topics. The author also has an evident sense of humour which breaks the tedium of the exercizes.

Another great asset of the book is the rechnik/dictionary included at the back of the book along with other very useful appendices.

However, the giant deficit is the long term lack of the "CD-ROM" which is over a year overdue. Without the CD ROM , casette tapes, and suggested answers to the numerous exercises, the student runs the risk of reinforcing misperceived and wrong grammar and constructions, has nothing to learn pronunciation and practice speaking, and the process of learning is slowed. The lack of supporting materials render the book very difficult to use for self study.

These deficits will be overcome when the CD ROM and searchable dictionary become available, one presumes. Until then, it would be best to use this book with a tutor or native speaker. It is great that the book exists and represents a large improvement over the "Zboruvajte li Makedonski" text, workbook and tape series.

A minor point or two: It would be nice, for the sake fo students carrying this text, if it had been in two parts and in a smaller sized format. The large format still does not allow for doing the exercises in the text, and adds a bit of weight to the old backpack. However, the binding seems sturdy enough and the paper of good quality, so the student need not worry about the text disintegrating halfway through the course.

Rating:
Summary: Finally
Review: I'm sorry but already for weeks I am looking on the web for courses in learning Macedonian language. Already for years I vist evry year Ohrid but the stay is too short and I am looking for courses or studybooks which can help me all year to learn the language. So I am interested in the book or cd-rom or both if available. Hope to hear soon of you

Thanks in advance
Hans

Rating:
Summary: At last a book on how to learn Macedonian
Review: To all my fellow readers and language lovers. This book is an excellent starting point on learning the language of Macedonia. Being a new democracy, this country has struggled for its identity. I have been to Macedonia on 3 occassions and now I can learn the language that my beloved father spoke. He is gone now and I am trying to learn it. This book has helped me tremendously in learing the grammer and colloquial expressions of the language. I also speak Greek and there are many words of greek and turkish origin in the language. The teacher, Mrs. Kramer is an excellent instuctor and she details the lessons excellently. I am about half way done in the course and I am learning so much. My Macedonian friends are impressed with my progress and compliment the book that is helping me. I am waiting for the CD rom course to compliment the book. Good luck on learning macedonian and you will have made an excellent choice in selecting this very excellent book.