Streetwise German: Speak and Understand Colloquial German [Paperback]

Paul G. Graves (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 1991 | ISBN-10: 0844225142 | ISBN-13: 978-0844225142 | Edition: 1

Have you always wanted to speak German like a native? Containing 15 humorous, down-to-earth dialogues, Streetwise German contains the colloquial language and slang that will make you sound authentic. Exercises and brief grammar notes help you practice what you have learned. At last, a way to learn the German you won't hear in class!

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, German

About the Author

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Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Passport Books; 1 edition (September 30, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0844225142
• ISBN-13: 978-0844225142
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,388,863 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars oh my god!!, June 3, 2003

By 

anja (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Streetwise German: Speak and Understand Colloquial German (Paperback)

I am german and looking for a good way to teach my american fiance my language. This book is pure horror. Don't waste your money on it, it makes neither sense nor is it a way to impress. Learn "propper" german before you go slang. It saves you a great deal of embarressment.
This book should be taken from the market. Sad that any german author thinks that is the way to TEACH someone.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't waste your time, April 16, 2001

By 

truth "nefarious incognito" (Flushing, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Streetwise German: Speak and Understand Colloquial German (Paperback)

I may only be an intermediate German student, but this book hasn't helped me at all. I am a serious student and graduated magna cum laude from college in 1999 so I don't think the fault is in my ability to comprehend. I admit to not giving the book much of a chance, but the conversations seem silly and talk about things you would never find yourself asking. I would have preferred a book that had conversations the non-native German speaker would find himself engaging in. I don't think this means a conversational, "streetwise" text has to be dry and stilted, but I think a healthy mix of idioms and slang with language the non-native German speaker is attempting to learn would be more effective. It seems to me that if you aren't already a master of German, you will not like this book and that, if you are, you don't need it because you already master the language.

My 2 cents.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars DONT BUY!, February 8, 2003

By 

Lawrence - See all my reviews

This review is from: Streetwise German: Speak and Understand Colloquial German (Paperback)

Hi,
I am a graduate student from germany. After I just read the excerpts online, I could not believe that anyone ever bought this poor book and thinks it is a good start to learn Colloquial German. Living 25 Jears in Germany I definitely know what German slang is like and this book doesn't have the foggiest idea. Please don't ever use one of the words from the book in Germany!