Customer Reviews

Dari Persian, Comprehensive: Learn to Speak and Understand Dari Persian with Pimsleur Language Programs

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These language cd's proved to me to be a very effective learning tool. Besides (or in addition-to) attending a class at a good school (which for Dari is rare), or real-life conversation practice, I think the audio-cd method is the best way to learn a language. This was my first full-course experience with pimsleur, and I am very happy. My future Afghan in-laws say the accent I have developed by listening to these is right-on for the Kabuli or southern accent, and I do not sound "too persian" or too Iranian like people often do when they try to learn this language. I have only minor problems with this product, which I suppose applies more to their overal method, than this particular set (Dari). There were quite a few phrases that my friends say are "very formal" and they would never say in real life, but I think that's expected to some extent with learning any language academically, plus the cd's really down-played most of these words. The sentences go VERY fast sometimes... even native speakers had trouble understanding some of them with one listen; however, I think this is ok because it helps you really learn the language at a conversational speed, you are prepared for a fast-talker! PROS: great accent, great use of formal versus in-formal tense (e.g. tu... hasti), gives you someone to practice talking to when you have no real Afghans around... CONS: the price seems a bit high to me for the amount of material learned, I would much rather reccomend to buy this on ebay: I can really impress someone with my Dari, and also get directions, order tea or coffee, but it is still hard, even after the complete series to have a very in-depth conversation, even just scraping by like I can with languages I studied for only a year or so in school .. another 'CON' I have is when they mention a city name, or street name, they use names in Afghanistan (which to a foreigner sound like completely new words)-- so in other words, when you're learning language just based on sound, I would much rather hear a familiar city or street name like "New York" or "Main Street" etc., instead of adding even more new words into the sentance. One more 'con'... who has a personal CD player these days, other than in their car !!!!?? Pimsleur should really provide free mp3 files with these sets. Was a bit of a chore to load it all my mp3 player. I'd really complain more about the price, but where else will you learn this much Dari by yourself? Great product !! 4-5 'stars' from me.