Intensive Bulgarian, Vol. 1: A Textbook & Reference Grammar

by Ronelle Alexander, Olga M. Mladenova (Contributor)

    This is the first comprehensive textbook teaching English-speakers to read, write, and speak contemporary Bulgarian. The text is designed to be adaptable for students of varying skill levels and can be taught at a gradual or intensive pace. It is also a much-needed reference grammar of Bulgarian, incorporating the latest research and theories on Bulgarian grammar in accessible layman’s language.
    Volume 1 introduces the basic elements of Bulgarian grammar and contains Lessons 1–15, a Bulgarian-English glossary, an English-Bulgarian glossary for beginners, and an appendix of verbal forms. Like many popular language textbooks, the dialogues in Intensive Bulgarian form a continuing dramatic narrative that gradually introduces students to both language and culture. Throughout the text, Bulgarian constructions and phrases are compared with English ones to clarify grammar and idioms. Lessons
o dialogues and sample sentences
o exercises and translation sentences
o basic and supplemental grammar sections
o reading selections
o a glossary for the lesson
o cultural notes.     Together, Volumes 1 and 2 of Intensive Bulgarian provide all the materials necessary for teachers and students to learn lively, modern colloquial Bulgarian, to become familiar with Bulgarian cultural life, and to thoroughly understand Bulgarian grammar. Slavic scholars will also find in Volume 2 both a thorough presentation of the Bulgarian verb system, as traditionally conceived, and a new analysis of this system.

Genres: Bulgarian Literature, Linguistics

414 pages, Paperback

First published September 26, 2000

Reviews

[Heinrich Volkmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a hidden gem; an intensive grammatical study of the Bulgarian language. Of this kind of study, only grammatical textbooks of this caliber are available in български език. Ronelle Alexander has given all of us the gift of truthfully understanding a rare language which is, arguably, the closest cousin of all Slavic Languages. This book deserves more readership, as it is the only way one can truthfully study the Bulgarian language independently, especially as English speakers.

My wife is simply amazed at the progress I have made in her mother tongue. Because of only the FIRST edition of this TWO part series, I am able to understand most Bulgarian conversations and speak to my wife and her family which is honestly the greatest gift in the world since her family does not speak even a lick of English. Albeit, I am not fluent yet. However, I understand Bulgarian on a level that no language app or listening program could ever teach, that is, the delicate and complex intricacies of a difficult grammar structure taught in a way that holds your hand but let's you free from time to time.

Complex intricacies explained in this book: the mesmerizing interrogative particle "ли", вид (specifically imperfective/perfective (несвършен/свършен) verbal aspect), word order of clitics (small, unaccented words often explaining ownership, verb reflection, transivity of verbs, etc.), 3 verbal tenses (минало несвършено, минало свършено, и сегашно време (past imperfect, aorist, and present tense, respectively)), and many more.

If you want to read this book and complete all of the exercises, sample sentences, sentences for translation, reading selections, and dialogues (I translated them and compiled them into a binder of over 500 pages of notes), expect to spend at least 3-6 months depending on how often you study and for how long. I studied for 5-7 days a week (mostly 5) and 3-7 hours a day over the course of 2 and a half months. I know my case is probably unusual, but this is taking notes on every single paragraph possible, and completing everything inside this textbook.

Thanks for reading, and just purchase this book. You will receive a plethora of information that is surely among the best money can buy.

[Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my opinion, this two-volume set is the best available for learning Bulgarian. It is extremely thorough, linguistically sophisticated, and provides a lot of cultural notes as well as a great wealth of colloquial and conversational details. It may be better suited for students who have already been through the process of learning a foreign language and have some experience with linguistics. The dialogues are fantastic, and are truly representative of the colloquial language. The tapes/CDs to go with it are worth their weight in gold, and are available from the Berkeley Language Center (a previous reviewer indicated a problem with getting them; you may have to call them directly. The contact information is available at http://blc.berkeley.edu/Media_Duplica...). The dialogues are something you can listen to over and over again; they comprise an interesting story arc, with a cast of diverse personalities, whose stories are remarkably fleshed out. There were a few minor oddities, such as the author's claim at one point that "govorya" (talk) and "razgovaryam" (converse) were essentially synonymous, but those were minor. All in all, a didactic gem and an essential reference.

[David Rutland · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty up-to-date, and lots of vocab. says recordings are available, but i had no luck getting in touch with the university given in the book as being able to provide recordings.