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Showing posts with label urdu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label urdu. Show all posts
2 June 2014
Title
| Beginner's Urdu Script |
Author
| Richard Delacy |
Publisher
| Teach Yourself Books - Hodder Headline |
Publication Date
|
2001
|
Pages
| 122 |
Genre
| Language Learning |
Blurb:
Do you want to learn the basics of reading and writing Urdu script? Would you like to be able to read Urdu signs, notices, advertisements and headlines? Are you planning to work in or visit an Urdu-speaking country?
Richard Delacy has written a step-by-step introduction to reading and writing simple Urdu. This book features:
- an introduction to the structure of Urdu words and expressions
- an easy and accessible approach to learning the alphabet
- hints of authentic handwriting skills
- practical examples from real-life situations
- useful and functional vocabulary
My review
This book does indeed keep what it promises on the title if you can put in a bit of work and time to literally 'Teach yourself'.
I started to learn Urdu as this is the mother tongue of my husband, and we visit Urdu-speaking countries . My personal experience is that if you would like to learn Urdu language, you ought to learn the script. It may look very complicated, but trust me, once you got the basics, it is actually quite straight forward. I don't read Urdu every day, in fact, I haven't read it for a year or so, but can still easily recognise the letters.
The book starts off, as expected, with an introduction of Urdu script which may well go over your head at the beginning. But again, don't be put off by this, it will get better.The next section is the alphabet, and you will reference back to this again and again, so this page will need bookmarking! After that, 11 units will explain all letters in detail, grouped into similar letters. The writing of the letters is explained - and that is the writing as a single letter and also as a joining letter. I can only say it again, it will became easier as you go along and once you understood the concept of single letter / joined letter at the beginning, middle, end it will become easy. Pronunciation is explained in English words, but it may be best to have it spoken to you by a native speaker. Every Unit also contains writing and reading practice. The appendix contains numbers, dates, days of the week, months.
The book does have some vocabulary, but this is more to give an example of the writing rather than to learn vocabulary, so for serious learning, you will need an additional book. This book deals with the script.
The print of the letters is large and easy to see. I had a bit of trouble keeping the paperback book open so used a bulldog clip.
12 January 2014
Title
|
Teach Yourself Urdu
|
Author
| David Matthews and Mohammed Kasim Dalvi |
Publisher
|
Teach Yourself
|
Publication Date
|
29.10.2010
|
Pages
| 381 |
Genre
| Language Learning |
If you are a beginner learning Urdu, this is the book to get. Though I am lucky that I have an Urdu-speaking husband and spend time in Pakistan and with Pakistani relatives, this book will give you 'the ground-work', the vocabulary, the grammar.
The book comes with a CD which I did not get as my husband is able to assist with pronunciation, so I have to exclude this in my review, but would obviously say - get the CD if you don't have CONSTANT access pronunciation / speaking help.
The book starts by giving a brief history on Urdu, and than the first unit deals with the alphabet. You have work through it - it is no use trying to learn or understand Urdu in 'English(Roman) writings'. It does look daunting, but is actually not that hard. After that, 15 chapters deal with learning Urdu in the usual language book learning manner i.e. starting off easy and getting more challenging. Grammar is included from the 1st chapter, and that is good so. My experience - pay good attention to the grammar right from the start. Within a few weeks I was comfortably able to recognise words I learned in Urdu TV channels and able to apply it to my Urdu speaking (much to husband's delight). As with other language learning, you do have to stay on the ball though, and if you have a longer break away from it, you may find you have forgotten the letters, which dots to go where.... But it is easy enough to pick up.
Negative:
The book is rather small, and while this is ideal for taking with you, it can also be a challenge to properly see the Urdu writing - and this is unfortunately somewhat essential with a non-Roman script. Also, my copy fell apart after a few weeks, and I stuck the pages together with sellotape. Again and again.
All and all, I found the book invaluable with my Urdu learning and for me, it is the best one on the market (and believe me, I have lots!)
The book comes with a CD which I did not get as my husband is able to assist with pronunciation, so I have to exclude this in my review, but would obviously say - get the CD if you don't have CONSTANT access pronunciation / speaking help.
The book starts by giving a brief history on Urdu, and than the first unit deals with the alphabet. You have work through it - it is no use trying to learn or understand Urdu in 'English(Roman) writings'. It does look daunting, but is actually not that hard. After that, 15 chapters deal with learning Urdu in the usual language book learning manner i.e. starting off easy and getting more challenging. Grammar is included from the 1st chapter, and that is good so. My experience - pay good attention to the grammar right from the start. Within a few weeks I was comfortably able to recognise words I learned in Urdu TV channels and able to apply it to my Urdu speaking (much to husband's delight). As with other language learning, you do have to stay on the ball though, and if you have a longer break away from it, you may find you have forgotten the letters, which dots to go where.... But it is easy enough to pick up.
Negative:
The book is rather small, and while this is ideal for taking with you, it can also be a challenge to properly see the Urdu writing - and this is unfortunately somewhat essential with a non-Roman script. Also, my copy fell apart after a few weeks, and I stuck the pages together with sellotape. Again and again.
All and all, I found the book invaluable with my Urdu learning and for me, it is the best one on the market (and believe me, I have lots!)
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