For those asking me about learning the Slovenian language, I contacted Mr. John Leskovec of the Slovenian Genealogy Society. He dropped me this short note and gave me the following suggestions.

    Good luck to you!!! :-)

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So you want to learn Slovenian!

     Let's be very candid: It will be a long, difficult job! It is one of the most complicated languages. Are you familiar with conjugating verbs in Latin, Spanish, or other languages? Well, Slovenian also conjugates nouns, adjectives, adverbs, everything! One of the conjugations, Genitive, has no counterpart in English. In addition, sentence construction is unlike anything you've ever worked with. Some of you, having known Slovenian as a child, may be able to pick it up more easily.

    Still interested? Finding the right materials will be difficult. You can't judge the books or tapes value until you've tried them and by then you have spent your money. So try to buy what you think will be good for your method of learning from someone like Amazon. They have a liberal return policy.

    The best overall list of Slovenian learning materials is available from Schoenhof's.com they're a big university bookstore near Harvard, in Cambridge, Mass. But try to get their complete catalog which lists many more books than the three listed on their Internet page.

    On their web page you'll find, among others:
GOBETZ, M
Slovenian Language Manual
(Slovenian Research Center) 1976 paperback. 333pp.
ISBN:X11671 $24.95

    This is a good one if you have time to take a very painstaking route. You'll learn all about the grammar but you'll have to be very regular and persistent in your studies. This is the one used in the Adult Education Program at Euclid High School, near Cleveland, Ohio. Even with a teacher, it takes a long time.

    Another that may be available is:
Zakaj ne po slovenscino? Book and 4 cassettes.
by Joze Toporosic
$89.95

    This would be too difficult for a beginner, but once you’ve learned all the declensions, and future and past tense, It would be very helpful. It consists of a thin story line with several Slovenian actors. You hear conversational Slovenian in several voices as they go to work, take the train, go to the theater and restaurants; they get sick, visit relatives, go on vacation, etc.. This one is best for someone who knows some "kitchen Slovenian" from their childhood or from hanging around the Slovenian Workmen's Hall. The stories and the tapes move you along very quickly.

    From www.amazon.com you can order:
Colloquial Slovene : A Complete Language Course
by Andrea Albretti
List Price: $45.00
Amazon Price: $38.25
You Save: $6.75 (15%)
Availability: This title usually ships within 2-3 days.
Paperback Bk & cassett edition (December 1995)
Routledge; ISBN: 0415089484

    Several people have told me they like this one for learning phrases quickly, especially if you have some grounding in Slovenian. And it has cassettes.

    Good luck to you! If you think of it, drop us an email in six months or a year, or after your next trip, and let us know what you think. If you find other books or tapes that you like, tell us about them. People are always asking about books and tapes and it's good to share experiences.

    John asked for feedback, so if you'd like to contact him, his e-mail is: John Leskovec


I have put up a few more links at this location (Terry)

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