KT

"When desperate, just say the word toilet and put a question type look on your face and they will point you the way."

I was going to suggest that. In fact, I think it works better than using a complete sentence, because the other person is likely to realize that you don't speak the language and so is more likely to point the way than describe it. In a small St. Petersburg museum, I actually looked pathetic enough to be led there by a kindly ticket-taker.

Also, in my experience, knowing how to say "I'm sorry" is pretty essential. Every time you make a mistake -- stand in the wrong line, don't know the name of something and have to point, need help with the menu, etc. -- "I'm sorry" helps, especially if you actually are sorry and look it.

And Barb, I've started looking at Croatian a bit myself, and knowing only English and Romance languages, I know how you feel. But once you can say hello in Croatian, you can say it in Russian or Czech, so you get to start thinking about traveling more in the Slavic world!

Barb

TorontoSeven - that's too funny. Maybe I should just forget the pleasantries and learn a few cuss words,lol. My son said he learned how to speak "real" Spanish when he was a kid and worked in a resto in San Diego where all the kitchen people were Mexicans and cussed like troopers.
Nukesafe, thanks for the link, maybe I'll supplement my tapes with those lessons. I wonder if many Croats speak Italian.

Catbert

I commend you for trying. But it might take the pressure off you to know that most people speak excellent English. And many, particularly on Istria, speak Italian.

Croatian definitely needs some more vowels! It might help to know that "r" can be a vowel.

peppermintpatti

Hi Barb, I travelled to Croatia this summer with a Croatian friend along for only part of the trip. I personally think the only useful things to learn are "good day", and "thankyou". I never encountered anyone who couldn't speak enough English to converse with me. I learned "where is the toilet" before we left, and surprised my friend by saying it to him. He said it took him all day to figure out what I was trying to say! His wife however understood immediately! I guess we females have a more urgent need for this information! Have a great trip! pp

Barb

Well that's very good to know that I won't be stuck if I can't retain any of what I am trying to learn on these ^&*@##%** tapes. Maybe I should just skip it, learn hello, goodbye, thank you and call it a day... then I can concentrate on my Italian.

harzer

I don't think that Croatian looks that hard. I have a little book in the Teach Yourself series that sets out all the rules and so on and then gives practice exercises.

Try putting this into English.....

"Da je on ovde s nama, znam da ne bi zeleo da se vrati u London."

... and you will realise the usefulness of such a book for the tourist.

BTW The introduction to the work announces that "Serbo-Ctoat is considered one of the easiest of European languages for English speakers to pronounce ... "

Harzer

Barb

Well, I am happy to report that I am now on tape two of the Pimsleur Croatian tapes!!! Wahoo -- I can now say hello, goodbye, thanks, excuse me, very good, not so good, you understand, I understand, do you and a little. Not exactly fluent yet, but I have hopes. 7 wks to go.

FauxSteMarie

Great! I am continued to work on Pimsleur's Spanish 1. When I get to lesson 25 or so, I will then purchase Spanish 2. Probably a lot easier than Croatian.

None of this will make you fluent, but you will be able, if you keep at it, to just get around even if people do not speak English. Isn't that all you want?

Barb

Oh yes, I realize I will never in a million years become fluent, but I guess I just really want to be able to show my respect and at least make the effort. I think it makes a difference in how you are treated.

FauxSteMarie

And I find trying to speak at least a little of the local lingo to be personally satisfying as well.

metlc

Barb,

I was touring in Croatia a couple of years ago with my wife, who is from Slovakia. She would start a conversation with the locals by speaking Slovak. They would acknowledge what she said but would immediately respond in English. I think that they interpreted it as a foreigner's "broken" version of Croatian (even though Slovaks vacation in Croatia).

Another thing we noticed. Not only was English more widely spoken than anywhere else in Europe, but many of the young people actually spoke authentic "street American" that would have been right at home in, say, Chicago, and was easier to understand than Brit-style English.

katya_NY

Barb: Don't be too frustrated with the situation. It is admirable to learn the language of your destination before traveling- even if it is just a few key phrases.

As a FL educator, I can tell you that the rule we follow is a student must hear a word 50 times to have it internalized enough to use it. My students spend a great deal of the first month of school listening & gesturing without speaking... and then are shocked when they do open their mouths and are able to speak!

Barb

Katya, thanks for that suggestion. It's very true. Things are getting a little easier with the tapes. What I find most helpful is to write the word down as I hear it, not as it is really spelled. I can remember it better that way. On third tape now!! i.e, "not so good" (nay taco dobra). I'm sure that's not the correct spelling, but it works for me.

FauxSteMarie

Glad to hear your Croation is progressing. Just keep playing the lesson over and over again until it locks in.

By the way I am on Spanish I, lesson 16 now. Spanish is much easier than Croatian, I am sure (I have done the Russian CD's and I bet Croatian is similar). How fast I go just depends on how much driving I do. I took a long car trip a couple of weekends ago and knocked off a few lessons. Since then it has been slow. The system works, but you have to do the work yourself.

At least I can now say, "Where is the toilet?" in Spanish. That is the most important sentence in any language when you travel.

katya_NY

I recently attened a conference of Russian and Slavic language teachers and was surprised to hear so much Croatian spoken. I do hope it will be a worthwhile investment of your time! I know for me, when I first started studying Russian &amp; went to Russia, the people were in awe of the <i>American girl</i> who actually tried to speak their language. I bet you will get much the same reaction in Croatia.

FauxSteMarie

I took a little Russian in high school. Since that was in the Late Middle Ages, I remembered nothing. I had done almost all 3 sets of Pimsleur CD's and was able to get around pretty well. Of course, my conversations were limited. The key to getting around in Russia is to be able to read a map. All the street signs are in Cyrillic letters, so you must know the alphabet.

English language maps do you no good.

Cupcake5

If you are having trouble pronaucing Croatian words, just learn the Croatian alphabet. Croatian words are said like they are written like "Hi" is "Bok" it's spelled and read like "B-O-K"

I hope that will help

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