Cassell's Contemporary German: A Handbook of Grammar, Current Usage, and Word Power

By Christine Eckhard-Black

Book Overview

Cassell's Contemporary German is designed to make your German-speaking experience relaxing and uncomplicated. Part 1, A Concise Reference Grammar, is like a complete refresher course in the basics of sentence structure, verb forms (including modal verbs), mood, parts of speech, and gender. It's filled with examples and focuses on the specific problems English speakers often encounter when they try to learn German. Part 2, Contemporary Functional Language, demonstrates the practical, modern, everyday workings of the language. It is this section especially that sets Cassell's Contemporary German apart from any other language guide, because it gives you valuable advice for getting along on a day-to-day basis in a German-speaking country - without sounding like an outdated phrase book. Here you'll find guidelines for: using the telephone, asking for or giving advice, applying for a job and writing a resume, writing a personal or professional letter and offering or declining an invitation. This section also tackles the common questions and unnerving language nuances that plague nonfluent German speakers, such as: how to tell colloquial and slang expressions from vulgar ones, how to express yourself - and your opinions - politely and how to avoid mistaking English soundalikes for German words. Part 3, Word Power, is made up of several specialized vocabularies that help you decipher the unique languages of finance and banking; politics and current affairs; shopping; travel; legal matters; media, the arts, and literature; even weather forecasts. There's a reference you can use to build on the verbs, nouns, and adjectives you already know; and a guide to using popular expressions. Withdozens of examples and illustrations, Cassell's Contemporary German is guaranteed to make any visit or extended stay in a German-speaking area relaxing, enjoyable, and hassle-free.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 002534904X
• ISBN13: 9780025349049
• Release Date: May 1993
• Publisher: MacMillan Publishing Company
• Length: 512 Pages
• Weight: 1.64 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 5.8" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

Now printed as Langenscheidt Pocket Grammar

Too bad the Cassell's Contemporary Italian/French/Spanish/German series are now out of print. I have them all the they are the best grammar books I own. I am a language buff and own several grammars and these can't be beat! I had been looking for the Cassell's Contemporary Italian recently and discovered the Langenscheidt Pocket Grammars are the Cassell's Contemporary series in new editions.

A most helpful handbook

I purchased this book while studying German at a local university. It was a real help to me. What the text book does not cover, this handbook does. If you are serious about studying German, then you need this handbook.