Lao for Beginners teaches all four language skills - listening (when used with the audio CDs), and speaking, reading and writing. It offers clear, easy, step-by-step instruction, building on what has been previously learned. Lao for Beginners introduces you to Lao culture, customs and much more and is written in a brisk, interesting style using beautiful Lao script. It is compact, with useful information for learning the language. The Lao for Beginners book is available separately - ISBN 9781887521871, or you can purchase the book and CDs together as a pack, with ISBN 9781887521536.
--This text refers to the
Audio CD
edition.
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1. sa-baai-dii can be used in greeting or leave-taking at any time of day or night. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
1. sa-baai-dii can be used in greeting or leave-taking at any time of day or night. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Victor Zhang
Format:Paperback
This is the only acceptable Lao course in English which I could find.
The explanation of the tones, which are something new for English speakers, is adequate, and the script is well explained. For both, some things are missing. With some extra work, and the internet, these were not hard to figure out. The "g" is not voiced as the book says, but you can figure that out from the CD's also.
The CD's are extremely useful because there are many errors in the tone marks in the book.
The book's biggest flaw is that the vocabulary is not representative.
The number of words you learn in the book must be about 650 or so. Unfortunately, the authors do not seem to have used a frequency list. In the 650 words there are complete lists of animal names, body parts, professions, and elaborate time telling. This leaves very little space for basic vocabulary. After studying the course, I was still missing too many words for simple conversation.
The book seems to be written a bit in a hurry, or the authors did not keep track of what they have done before. There are doubles in the vocabulary, while some new words pop up in the texts. An example: on page 170 there is a special note to one of the sentences, that "bpaandai" means "not so much", while the expression has already been listed in the vocabulary on page 127, and been used in the sentences section on page 45.
I found later that Lamvieng Inthamone's course is a much more serious Lao course. Maybe time for a translation into English ?
The explanation of the tones, which are something new for English speakers, is adequate, and the script is well explained. For both, some things are missing. With some extra work, and the internet, these were not hard to figure out. The "g" is not voiced as the book says, but you can figure that out from the CD's also.
The CD's are extremely useful because there are many errors in the tone marks in the book.
The book's biggest flaw is that the vocabulary is not representative.
The number of words you learn in the book must be about 650 or so. Unfortunately, the authors do not seem to have used a frequency list. In the 650 words there are complete lists of animal names, body parts, professions, and elaborate time telling. This leaves very little space for basic vocabulary. After studying the course, I was still missing too many words for simple conversation.
The book seems to be written a bit in a hurry, or the authors did not keep track of what they have done before. There are doubles in the vocabulary, while some new words pop up in the texts. An example: on page 170 there is a special note to one of the sentences, that "bpaandai" means "not so much", while the expression has already been listed in the vocabulary on page 127, and been used in the sentences section on page 45.
I found later that Lamvieng Inthamone's course is a much more serious Lao course. Maybe time for a translation into English ?
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3.4 out of 5 stars
7 reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best Lao language materials available for self study !!!
16 Mar 2004
By C-Four-P-O
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have been in search of quality Lao language study materials since my first trip to Laos seven years ago. Klaus Werner's book was, until recently, the best reference available. Ms. Simmala and Ms. Becker have now put together a comprehensive package for getting started with this beautiful language.
The book and audio program (CDs and tapes available) provide an introduction to the Lao written language (with traceable characters), contemporary essential vocabulary, practice sentences, conversations for listening comprehension and practice, and essential grammar points. An appendix also provides "useful phrases" for travel (also included in the audio program). Lao friends have verified that the recorded audio is authentic and professional.
I recommend listening to, and repeating aloud, the vocabulary recordings for each chapter as often as necessary. Also practice the useful phrases audio portion. You don't need the book in front of you to do this --perfect for time in the car or walking. Try to imagine yourself in a relevant situation as you speak the word or phrase.
At the same time, start to learn and practice the Lao characters. Then, as you learn new vocabulary, try to read & write them using the Lao alphabet. Transliteration of characters (use of roman alphabet) is difficult in Mon-Tai-Khmer languages and does not altogether capture the essential sounds and subtleties. It is a more enriching experience to tackle Lao writing from the start.
There are a few supplementary materials available. EuroTalk is supposed to produce a basic "Talk Now! Lao" software sometime in 2004. Paiboon Publishing (which has produced excellent Thai language materials) has a handy Lao-English dictionary. Lonely Planet's phrasebook is great to keep in your pocket for use anywhere/anytime you have a few minutes.
"Sook dii!" Good luck with your studies! --C4PO
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
sabaaidii
23 Jun 2004
By me
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Lao is an overlooked language. I have been studying Thai and Lao on my own for a few years. This book shares many strengths with other Paiboon language books. It is very practical and offers clear step by step introduction to Lao. This is its strength, but their are problems as well. For some reason the high tone mark 'mai dtii' is not printed anywhere in my book. On page 35 everything is in place except the symbol for 'mai dtii'. I had to browse NIU's website to see what the symbol looked like. In addition in many instances the transliterated script has contradictory pronounciations. The authors may have done this intentionaly to show the diverse range of dialects prevelant in Laos, however for a beggining text I find it confusing. On page 69 (sentence 3a) luu (or) is transliterated as having a mid tone. Then on 72 (sentence 3) the same word is transliterated as having a rising tone. Because the word occurs in the same section the same speaker is used on the tape so I think it is an error and not a change in dialect. This happened with other words throughout the book. Regardless this book is probably the best introduction to the Lao language readily available. When will the ministry of education start an online store selling educational materials???? I can't imagine that the L.D.P.R. leaders would turn down the extra revenue.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
The best you can find, but in bad need of 2nd edition
6 Feb 2007
By Benjamin Fram
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Audio CD
This is the most comprehensive course on the Lao language that I have seen, in fact it is the only english language book on Lao language (other than dictionaries or phrasebooks) that I have ever seen.
On the other hand, the book suffers from what appears to be very little in the way of proofreading. English transliterations are inconsistant throughout the book, some of the test answers are wrong, and it is completely missing one Lao tone mark.
This being said, it is the best books on this topic you will find, so buy it anyway.
On the other hand, the book suffers from what appears to be very little in the way of proofreading. English transliterations are inconsistant throughout the book, some of the test answers are wrong, and it is completely missing one Lao tone mark.
This being said, it is the best books on this topic you will find, so buy it anyway.
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3.4 out of 5 stars
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