Cassell's Contemporary German: A Handbook of Grammar, Current Usage, and Word Power [Hardcover]

Christine Eckhard-Black (Author), Ruth Whittle (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 002534904X | ISBN-13: 978-0025349049 | Publication Date: May 3, 1993 | Edition: 1

Cassell's Contemporary German is designed to make your German-speaking experience relaxing and uncomplicated. Part 1, "A Concise Reference Grammar, " is like a complete refresher course in the basics of sentence structure, verb forms (including modal verbs), mood, parts of speech, and gender. It's filled with examples and focuses on the specific problems English speakers often encounter when they try to learn German. Part 2, "Contemporary Functional Language, " demonstrates the practical, modern, everyday workings of the language. It is this section especially that sets Cassell's Contemporary German apart from any other language guide, because it gives you valuable advice for getting along on a day-to-day basis in a German-speaking country - without sounding like an outdated phrase book. Here you'll find guidelines for: using the telephone, asking for or giving advice, applying for a job and writing a resume, writing a personal or professional letter and offering or declining an invitation. This section also tackles the common questions and unnerving language nuances that plague nonfluent German speakers, such as: how to tell colloquial and slang expressions from vulgar ones, how to express yourself - and your opinions - politely and how to avoid mistaking English soundalikes for German words. Part 3, "Word Power, " is made up of several specialized vocabularies that help you decipher the unique languages of finance and banking; politics and current affairs; shopping; travel; legal matters; media, the arts, and literature; even weather forecasts. There's a reference you can use to build on the verbs, nouns, and adjectives you already know; and a guide to using popular expressions. Withdozens of examples and illustrations, Cassell's Contemporary German is guaranteed to make any visit or extended stay in a German-speaking area relaxing, enjoyable, and hassle-free.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Christine Eckhard-Black is a tutor of German at the Language Teaching Centre at the University of Oxford.; Ruth Whittle is a tutor of German and a translator at the University of Oxford, European School of Management.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 502 pages
• Publisher: Macmillan Pub Co; 1 edition (May 3, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 002534904X
• ISBN-13: 978-0025349049
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.7 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,102,152 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A most helpful handbook, January 24, 2000

By 

Paul Doster - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cassell's Contemporary German: A Handbook of Grammar, Current Usage, and Word Power (Hardcover)

I purchased this book while studying German at a local university. It was a real help to me. What the text book does not cover, this handbook does. If you are serious about studying German, then you need this handbook.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Now printed as Langenscheidt Pocket Grammar, February 2, 2003

By 

J. Hall "JonnyMH" (Oakland, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cassell's Contemporary German: A Handbook of Grammar, Current Usage, and Word Power (Hardcover)

Too bad the Cassell's Contemporary Italian/French/Spanish/German series are now out of print. I have them all the they are the best grammar books I own. I am a language buff and own several grammars and these can't be beat! I had been looking for the Cassell's Contemporary Italian recently and discovered the Langenscheidt Pocket Grammars are the Cassell's Contemporary series in new editions.