Customer Reviews

Sorbian-English, English-Sorbian Concise Dictionary (Hippocrene Concise Dictionary)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a superb little dictionary that gives the outsider an insight into Sorbian culture.

The language, which resembles Czech and Polish in many ways, has many of its own special features - a quick browse of the pages turns up some of these. For example, Sorbian has a special word for the Irish people and the Scottish people (using a common ending -ojo).

The compiler of the dictionary has included many useful phrases to demonstrate how words are used. This livens up the content and is a huge improvement on the normal format for a concise dictionary which tells the reader very little about usage.

I would certainly recommend it as an essential item (it easily fits in a jacket pocket) for anyone visiting Lusatia, whether on business or for pleasure. Whereas the majority of the Sorbian people can also speak German, an effort by a foreigner to use some of the local language would, without doubt, be enthusiastically received.

I like this dictionary. But I think that it lacks some information needed for people unfamiliar with slavic languages. For example, you will find that sorbian word for "deer" is either "jele" or "sorna", but there is not written that the first word is used for a male deer and the second one for a female deer. Same problem applies for some plural forms (ryba, ryby) etc.