24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Definitive Slovene Grammar Reference, November 21, 2002
This review is from: Slovene: A Comprehensive Grammar (Comprehensive Grammars) (Paperback)
This is the most comprehensive Slovene grammar reference, ideally suited for the student of Slovene.It has the distinction of being the first major Slovene grammar for the English speaker. Professor Herrity has stated in a recent interview (with Jana Valencic in Slovenija magazine, Summer No.2/2002) how this work is different to other grammars; "I wanted to write a grammar that was descriptive of the spoken language by educated Slovenes, that is, to provide a precise account of actual usage."
The author has achieved this brilliantly. The book is structured in thirteen chapters, with: phonology, nouns, adjectives, pronouns, numerals, verbs, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, particles, interjections, word order, and word formation". In each chapter the points of grammar are illustrated with examples of usage; subtleties of Slovene are indicated, with descriptions of literary, and colloquial language, and archaic words. Furthermore, stress is indicated on all Slovene words in the grammar.
I am an instructor of Slovene, and course writer, and have found it provides a base for teaching Slovene grammar and as a reference for both the teacher and the learner. Before this work was published, I had to search laboriously through all available Slovene grammars, written in Slovenian, which consisted of mainly rules, and had to glean, interpret, translate and research the usage for everyday and formal language, and constantly seek advice from native speakers. The most suitable Slovene grammar which I could refer to till now is the standard grammar book written by Dr. Anton Bajec 'Slovenska slovnica' (Ljubljana, 1968) - it has been reprinted several times. In Australia, Peter Herrity's book is the grammar reference in the secondary school curriculum.
This book is an indispensable tool for the study of Slovene, and I wish to express my appreciation for Peter Herrity's invaluable scholarly contribution to Slovene studies.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Priceless as a suppliment!, January 10, 2004
This review is from: Slovene: A Comprehensive Grammar (Comprehensive Grammars) (Paperback)
If you speak English and already have a Slovene/English dictionary (like Komac) and/or lesson book like (Albretti) and you want to complete your knowledge of the language, buy this book. But don't buy it if you are looking merely for either of the above.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutgely fantastic, August 31, 2007
This review is from: Slovene: A Comprehensive Grammar (Comprehensive Grammars) (Paperback)
The other reviewers have said it all - this is as good as a grammar could possibly get. Peter Herrity is an inspired linguist with an excellent knowledge of Slovenian and an equally excellent talent of passing on what he knows. Unfortunately, there is no good course in Slovenian to go with this excellent grammar. Both Colloquial Slovene (also published by Routledge) and Teach Yourself Slovene are so bad they defy belief. As Peter Herrity is already writing for Routledge, I pray he will accept to write the next edition of Colloquial Slovene - should it ever emerge. In the meantime, this is the only available book for those interested in the Slovene language.
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