Costa Rican Spanish: Lonely Planet Phrasebook

Book Description

Lounging around in a resort will make great use of your English. You could, however, grab this phrasebook and trade tiquismos with the Ticos, chase the best beach break, track down a toucan and go home knowing youÂ've had an all-round pura vida time.

Customer Reviews:

Its Cute and Small and I guess handy.......2007-07-20

We bought this as a "just in case" backup in case all communication skills broke down and we had to resort to language. Luckily that never happened so we never actually used the book. Usually you can get your point across with your hands and facial expressions (including getting out of a ticket because you did an 'illegal' U turn in front of a cop - show me the sign, there was no sign).

Some improvements.......2007-03-06

This new edition has corrected some of the mistakes I pointed out in a previous review and in an email exchange with the author. As I thumbed through the book I didn't see any "tu" conjugations, only "vos" and "usted". This is much more accurate for Costa Rican Spanish and was a blunder in the first edition. There is also an explanation at the beginning of the book about Costa Rican Spanish, which includes mention of the predominance of the voseo en Costa Rica. Nonetheless, I still give the book one star for two reasons. First the pronunciation section, as Mr. Kohnstamm informed me, was done by someone from Australia (if I remember right). So if you are from the U.S. several of the pronunciations are incorrect. Second, it only took me about a minute of looking through the book to see several mistakes in grammar and translation. Example: "Si vengas a Costa Rica..." should be "Si viene/venis a Costa Rica..." and "Adonde es la sala ejecutiva?" should be "Donde esta la sala ejecutiva?". These types of mistakes really stand out and defeat the purpose of the book, which is to help English-speaking tourists fit in and learn correct phrases for interacting with the locals... at least I think that is the purpose here.

Inferior to previous edition.......2007-02-04

This 2nd edition is more than just a beauty cleanup of the 1st. It completely changes the content, the intent and therefore the usefulness of the book. It is full of pronunciations, painstakingly spelled out as if someone was going to read them preferentially over the Spanish words. It's sort of lame, because Spanish pronunciation is basically invariable (accents aren't, of course) and if you are having trouble with it that is best fixed with a different book. It seems like there is less information, because a big chunk of the page has gone over to pronunciations. It has been scrubbed of most of the sketchier inclusions of the 1st edition, which are fun. The very useful verb endings charts and some of the Tiquismo sidebars are gone. I also find the typeface harder to read in dim light, especially the dictionary. On the plus side, it is prettier, and perhaps better organized and easier to find information.

I had my 1st edition stolen while down there. I hadn't been in a hurry to replace it, but the minute I received this 2nd edition, I scoured the 'net to locate another 1st. You should consider the same.

Lonely Planet Costa Rica Spanish Phrasebook (Phrasebooks)

Average customer rating:

Well organized and useful
This book has phrases for every occasion!
Please add local expressions
Bad mistakes
Grammar and cultural mistakes...

Lonely Planet Costa Rica Spanish Phrasebook (Phrasebooks)
Thomas Kohnstamm
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1864501057

Book Description

In Costa Rica, it's impossible not to get caught up in the feeling of Pura Vida, 'pure life'. So whether selecting from the huge range of traditional dishes, dancing the merenge at a fiesta, or cheering a toro brava, 'fighting bull', this book will help you get into the swing.

join in the crowd at a rodeo, street festival or salsa club
loads of cultural & traveling tips, whether you go by bus, scooter or donkey
sections on diving, hiking and surfing
includes Lim n Creole, the language of Costa Rica's Caribbean coast
music, food, shopping, art & more

Customer Reviews:

Well organized and useful.......2005-08-26

This is a handy phrase book for those who have no knowledge of Spanish and for those situations where you just need to be that much more specific in communicating your needs. It's not too big, so it's relatively easy to travel with.

This book has phrases for every occasion!.......2005-07-21

Tins book will help you in just about every situation; meeting people, getting around, accommodations, food, illegal drugs, Dating, Romance and Intimate phrases, dealing with police, and lots more!

Most people in the tourist areas spoke enough English to get by but I found this book invaluable to brush up on my memories of high school Spanish so that I could communicate in any situation while I was in Costa Rica

Please add local expressions.......2005-06-16

This phrasebook is very well organised. This is its strong point, I think. This is what I told some English people who asked for my advice (I am a Costarican). I also told them that I think it covers all the expected areas of vocabulary, like airport, travelling, food, but it could cater better for local expressions, the voccabulary local people use. This is what I am asking for, perhaps for the next edition.

Bad mistakes.......2005-06-03

Just for the author's attention in the dating and romance section the phrase "sacate" does NOT mean take off your clothes, and it can be taken as a very vulgar remark in Spanish. Just one many mistakes in Spanish that this book has.

Grammar and cultural mistakes..........2005-05-20

I agree with several of the criticisms raised about this book. Imagine if you picked up a phrasebook for your native region and found mistake after mistake about your native language and about how you and your fellow countrymen and women speak the language. Most of the tourists who rate this book excellent probably do so because they don't understand Costa Rican Spanish and because the were able to use some of the phrases and be understood while in Costa Rica. This is fine but they should also know that many of the phrases are incorrect. The point is if you are going to publish something and claim this is the way an entire country of people speak then it should be accurate and at the very least be free of all the grammar mistakes that this book has. It is also true as one reviewer points out that here in Costa Rica we do not use tu but vos or actually usted unless you know the person very well and are being informal. This is a major mistake considering the book is supposed to help foreigners fit in. I could not recommend this book to anyone.

Book Description

Limpy’s family reckons humans don’t hate cane toads, but Limpy knows otherwise. He’s spotted the signs: the cross looks, the unkind comments, the way they squash cane toads with their cars. Limpy is desperate to save his species from ending up as pancakes. Somehow he must make humans see how fabulous cane toads really are. Risking everything, he sets off on a wart-tinglingly dangerous and daring journey to . . . the Olympics?

This is the epic story of a slightly squashed young cane toad’s quest for the truth.

From the Hardcover edition.

Customer Reviews:

Aussie Toad Reaches Out.......2007-10-18

I read this book as a precursor to sending it to my 8 year old granddaughter and I got a huge kick out of it. I'd heard about it from a friend in Australia, who said her son read the entire series (this is the first) and regularly fell off his bed laughing at this story which gives a voice to that much despised critter, the Cane Toad. As the toad tells us, they didn't ask to be imported into Australia!

Kids 8-12, I think, would naturally enjoy this book, but they need to be a tad tough-minded. The Toad of the title is a spunky and sympathetic character, who remains optimistic about finding good in the world, despite the fact that every driver he meets goes out of his way to attempt to squash him. He's on a quest to get humans to be nicer to his kind, a scaley Don Quixote, a creature of strong convictions and high ideals. It's an exciting road trip across Australia for the plucky little guy, and you will root for him and laugh all the way. BTW a glossary of Aussie words will assist US readers and add to the fun of exploring the exciting world of Down Under.

toads rule.......2007-09-19

This book is great! So are the other two. My 8 year old read all three in four days - I couldn't pry them out of his hands. Everybody will love Limpy's adventures - he's humanized without being cheesey. Morris Gleitzman is our new favorite author.

this book rocks........2007-04-19

this book was very exciteing because it was all about toads not people. if you like toads you will love this book. if you liked toad heaven you will like toad rage. there are also crickets and rats and sloths and many more animals. I liked when george and bob were hanging on the back of a truck and they jumped off and they coudnt breath but they just got the wind knocked out of them. that shows excitement and suspense.I liked this book because of the adventure excitement and suspense.

" It's too dangerous, stay here.".......2007-01-11

Toad Rage by Morris Gleitzman
"It's too dangerous, stay here," says Limmpy a Cane toad with a bad leg as he sets out on an adventure to answer his life long question," Why do humans hate us?" Limmpy's leg is bad because it got run over by a truck when he was little and if he runs too fast he goes around in circles.
Toad Rage will take you on an adventure with Limmpy, Goliath, and Charm. It's a good book for all ages and is funny and informational. Charm, Limmpy's younger sister, is sweet and somewhat stubborn. Limmpy's cousin Goliath is big but very stubborn. This book will keep you hooked 'til the very end.
Reading this book will teach you that life isn't always fair, that some things just can't be changed, and above all don't judge a book, human, or animal by its cover.
December, 19, 2006, 12/19/06

A delightful comedy- a day in the life with Limpy!.......2006-11-08

What a hysterical read this is for adult and child. This book will entertain and enourage easily distracted young readers to press on and experience and misadventures of Limpy and his enormous family of uncles and sibling toads! From his crusted over uncle still littering the roadway to close calls in the pit, you'll never look at toads in the same way again! Very funny and an easy reader.

Highly recommended!

Average customer rating:

A great, very interesting, read!
A Passion for Raptors
Wonderful overview

Rage for Falcons
Stephen Bodio
Manufacturer: Schocken
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0805239316
Release Date: 1984-10-01

Customer Reviews:

A great, very interesting, read!.......2001-11-26

When I first became interested in falconry, I, like most people, wanted to learn everything I could on the subject. This book covers several aspects of falconry, such as the history and the raptors used in it, and moves on to many personal stories. This is NOT a "how-to" book. Bodio has delivered a wonderfully entertaining and quite creatively written book that I highly recommend to any aspiring or long-time falconer. You won't be disappointed!
--Lauren

A Passion for Raptors.......2000-06-16

Stephen Bodio is one of my favorite writers--definitely my favorite nature writer--and this books captures the essence of the ancient sport of falconry. This is not a manual; it's an essay that helps to explain why anyone would go through so much effort just to share in the privilege of hunting in partnership with a wild animal. (No other modern sport allows one to do this.)This is a book that can be read and enjoyed by anyone, falconer or not, but the falconer will appreciate some of the insights Bodio has--for instance, when he describes the infamous goshawk. I recommend this to anyone who wants to learn what falconry is, or who is seriously considering taking up hawks. It is fun, it is informative, and it will stay with you for a long time.

Wonderful overview.......1998-03-02

Mr. Bodio has written an outstanding overview of modern falconry. He manages to convey what it is about falconry that makes falconers put up with the heartache of hunting with raptors. As a bonus, Mr. Bodio's writing is a joy to read. It is both funny and informative. This is definitely *not* a how-to book, but instead gives a good overview of what falconry is like, and what a prospective falconer can expect.

Animal Rage (Smallville Series for Young Adults, No. 4)

Average customer rating:

Animal Rights Hits Smallville
rather dull and predictable
Smallville: Animal Rage, thumbs up?

Animal Rage (Smallville Series for Young Adults, No. 4)
David Cody Weiss , and Bobby J.G. Weiss
Manufacturer: Little, Brown Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0316174211

Customer Reviews:

Animal Rights Hits Smallville.......2003-12-10

When an extreme animal rights activist named Heather Fox begins blowing up at people whenever her thoughts on animal rights are thought of as strange, Clark realizes that there may be something really wrong with his classmate. And whensomeone begins aiming a strange series of attacks at stores that sell fur or leather, and farmers who own livestock, Clark thinks that Heather could possibly be behind it. But not human-Heather. Animal-Heather. As he thinks that she could be a shape-shifter. And now, with the Smallville county fair just a few days away, Clark is sure that Heather will probably be planning a new attack, and it's up to Clark to protect all of the fair-goers.

As someone who has always been interested in both animal rights and shapeshifting, I found this book to be an extremely interesting and exciting joy ride. Heather is an intriguing, if not a little overzealous about her cause, character. And Chloe is at her best in this great addition to the SMALLVILLE series. A must-have.

Erika Sorocco

rather dull and predictable.......2003-03-04

after reading "whodunit", i thought that the smallville novels were on the way up finally. this book was rather dull and lifeless and really not worth buying. it's main focus is a teenage girl named heather fox who is an animal right extremist.
she discovers that if she touches an animal she can transform into that animal and decides to seek revenge on any human who has
been cruel to animals. this is rather extreme considering that this setting is in rural kansas and the woman seems like she needs to keep her opinions to herself. if you have read some of the other smallville novels, the ending is way too predictable.
the tv show is beautiful but most of the novels are pathetic at
best.

Smallville: Animal Rage, thumbs up?.......2003-01-29

Animal Rage was the first Smallville novel that I read because they are hard to come by in Australia.
I am a huge fan of the tv show, and so I was really excited when I found out there were novels, and so I ordered them fast from the US.
The first thing I noticed when I opened the Little Brown series of books, was that it wasn't the kinda book i expected. The size of the book is tiny, there are only 160 pages and the writing is rather big, compared to the Aspect TV Tie - In Smallville Novels, which have small writing and 240 pages.

The story is much briefer than the other series, and this book is about a girl called Heather Fox, who is against cruel actions against Animals. Heather also has a secret power that allows her to touch an animal and she instantly changes into the animal she touches.
Meanwhile, Clark has taken Whitney's spot in the public speaking contest along Lana, at a farming fair, where there are sales of animal fur.
Clark realises after time that Heather is able to change into animals, after a late night attack on his farm. He must protect Lana and the rest of Smallville, as Heather's intention is to pay back the people for what they have done to animals.

Overall I enjoyed the book, but I think it focussed too much on Heather, and her thoughts, and there wasn't a lot about Clark, Lana, Pete. When there was though there was some comic dialouge that I really enjoyed reading.

Book Description

This digital document is an article from E, published by Earth Action Network, Inc. on December 1, 1993. The length of the article is 1382 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

From the supplier: The fur industry improved sales in 1992 after a 15-year decline that was impacted by the animal rights movement. The industry is focusing on the right of the individual to choose whether or not to use real fur in a coat or jacket.

Citation Details
Title: Fur flies as debate rages: is the fur industry bouncing back?
Author: Leslie Pardue
Publication: E (Magazine/Journal)
Date: December 1, 1993
Publisher: Earth Action Network, Inc.
Volume: v4 Issue: n6 Page: p18(2)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Vietnamese seafood exports soaring as catfish fight with USA rages on. (Chloramphenicol in Shrimp).: An article from: Quick Frozen Foods International

Average customer rating:

Vietnamese seafood exports soaring as catfish fight with USA rages on. (Chloramphenicol in Shrimp).: An article from: Quick Frozen Foods International

Manufacturer: E.W. Williams Publications, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

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Book Description

This digital document is an article from Quick Frozen Foods International, published by E.W. Williams Publications, Inc. on January 1, 2003. The length of the article is 540 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Vietnamese seafood exports soaring as catfish fight with USA rages on. (Chloramphenicol in Shrimp).
Publication: Quick Frozen Foods International (Magazine/Journal)
Date: January 1, 2003
Publisher: E.W. Williams Publications, Inc.
Volume: 44 Issue: 3 Page: 43(1)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

All Heaven in a Rage: Speaking for Those Who Can't: The Best of The Animals' Voice Magazine

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All Heaven in a Rage: Speaking for Those Who Can't: The Best of The Animals' Voice Magazine
Laura A. (ed.) Moretti
Manufacturer: MBK Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 1884873367

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