Turkish in Three Months (Hugo's Simplified System)

It is grammar-based, so may seem overly complex, but if you want to learn the language you cannot avoid this. That said, the grammar is clearly explained in laymans terms so you do not have to have an in depth familiarity with grammatical concepts. The book can be completed without much overwork in the three months. And by the time you finish it, you should realise a) how basic it is and b) where you want to go with the language.

This book seems strangely difficult to get. If it is not available via Amazon, try DK direct or ABE. Failing that it can be bought in Turkey, I got mine from one of the many bookshops in Taksim in Istanbul.

For more advanced study, Geoffrey Lewis's Turkish Grammar is without doubt, the best grammar book for Turkish. Note, however, that it is a reference grammar not a study book. This is not the book to buy if you want to actually learn Turkish, instead it is useful to dip into for the beginner, and to study for a more advanced students. Do not use this book on its own, use it as a supplement to a study book.
You will also need a good dictionary, you can't go wrong with a Redhouse (which are much cheaper if you buy them in Turkey).
Probably the best and most comprehensive grammar is Turkish Grammar by Robert Underhill, but it is unnecessarily expensive for the beginner.
For the beginner Bengisu Rona's Turkish in Three Months is best: clear, concise and relatively cheapr. Once you get through it you will know where you want to go with the language (if anywhere) and what your needs are.


Comprehensive but complex   January 9, 2004
Gerard Lynch (Belfast, Northern Ireland)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

This is certainly a comprehensive survey of Turkish grammar, and as such it will serve the serious learner over a number of years. Rather than skipping through topics it covers Turkish grammar in a systematic manner.
That is, however, its downfall for the new learner. It covers complex topics very early in the book, doesn't introduce vocab useful to the casual user of Turkish early enough, and buries itself in grammatical terms rather than plain English. There is little exposure to everyday conversational Turkish.

Having now been learning Turkish for almost four years, I still find this a useful reference, and I would happily recommend it to intermediate/advanced learners. However, I found it hellish difficult to actually learn from - Teach Yourself Turkish is a much better book for the beginner. Anyone who actually can learn Turkish in three months from this is a better man than I, Gunga Din!


Comprehensive but complex   January 9, 2004
Gerard Lynch (Belfast, Northern Ireland)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

This is certainly a comprehensive survey of Turkish grammar, and as such it will serve the serious learner over a number of years. Rather than skipping through topics it covers Turkish grammar in a systematic manner.

That is, however, its downfall for the new learner. It covers complex topics very early in the book, doesn't introduce vocab useful to the casual user of Turkish early enough, and buries itself in grammatical terms rather than plain English. There is little exposure to everyday conversational Turkish.

Having now been learning Turkish for almost four years, I still find this a useful reference, and I would happily recommend it to intermediate/advanced learners. However, I found it hellish difficult to actually learn from - Teach Yourself Turkish is a much better book for the beginner. Anyone who actually can learn Turkish in three months from this is a better man than I, Gunga Din!


Brilliant!   July 20, 2002
Gareth (Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom)
21 out of 21 found this review helpful

This book was my first taste of Turkish, but after searching for others of the same type it appears I have started at the top and will have to work my way down, because this book is rated so highly by other people!

Basically, this book provides a working knowledge of Turkish and un-mystifies this un-european, but still "european" language. Unlike some other books I have, it actually does give you what you need to know, and when you need to know it, for example it begins with a comprehensive pronunciation aid, teaching you to read Turkish (which is quite easy actually), and then gives you everyday, useful phrases, like 'hello';'goodbye';'thanks';good morning' etc,... something that some books don't bother with it seems. Occasionally I see books that teach you "my calculator is malfunctioning" before "how are you", but not here, thank God!

New grammar points are explained clearly and plenty of examples are given to support them. There is good, useful vocabulary, and you'll learn things in order of sensibility, learning to talk about what you did yesterday before reading newspaper articles about the stock exchange.

Overall a well constructed, comprehensive guide to this beautiful sounding eastern-western language, plenty of stuff here, more than enough if you are just intending on travelling there for a while, to work, or for a 2 week holiday.

Çok Guzel!

Gareth.xxx


easy to understand and learn   July 29, 2001
7 out of 8 found this review helpful

iv had this book now for around 2 weeks .i must say its very good and easy to learn from, i feel more confidant and feel i have the ability to get by on this language