TIBETAN LANGUAGE PRE-PRIMER: Learning to Read the Short Chenrezik Sadhana, by Dr. Cathy Kielsmeier, drawings by Linda Gamble

TIBETAN LANGUAGE PRE-PRIMER: Learning to Read the Short Chenrezik Sadhana

by Dr. Cathy Kielsmeier, drawings by Linda Gamble

Tibetan Language Pre-Primer fills a gap in currently available instructional materials. It will introduce you slowly and effectively to foundation "pre-primer" skills. Using this book, you will:

learn the Tibetan alphabet
learn how Tibetan words are made from the letters
learn how a Tibetan-English dictionary is organized
and learn to read the short Chenrezig sadhana in the process!

Tibetan letters and words are structured quite differently from those in Western languages, and detailed instruction is needed before learning to read the language. This book will teach you the specific skills you need in an organized, sequential fashion. You will then be well prepared to study other books and materials which specialize in teaching reading. Multiple examples for each new concept are given, followed by related exercises (with their answers on the same page). Material is not overly grim and serious, but has a lighthearted approach that helps make learning fun.

As you learn each new step, it is immediately meshed with learning to read the short Chenrezik sadhana. All examples and vocabulary are drawn from that sadhana so that you will have constant repetition and reinforcement. By the time you have completed this book, you will know all the words in the Chenrezik prayer, thus greatly increasing your pleasure and understanding of it.

This is the right book for you if you are interested in learning to read Tibetan, but don't know where to start, or have been frustrated by the lack of availability of very easy, very basic instructional materials. This book that has been specially developed to meet your needs.

"The new Tibetan Language Pre-Primer...provides a thorough grounding in the basics, is well organized and clearly presented, and uses many examples and helpful hints. The humor and illustrations help the beginner appreciate what fun it is to learn this language. Using the Chenrezik sadhana as a focus is especially good for practitioners making their first tentative foray into studying the Tibetan language. Students will find that they can go a long way with just this book, using it as a good foundation for further study."--Sarah Harding, Author, Teacher of Tibetan, and Translator of Creation and Completion

Dr. Cathy Kielsmeier has created many instructional materials for foreign-language students. She's taught many different grade levels from preschool through graduate school, and has also worked professionally with design of specialized curriculum for students with handicaps and learning disabilities.

Linda Gamble has been drawing since she could first hold a pencil. She has a varied background in graphic arts and illustration, and was recently Curator for a nation-wide Buddhist Art Show in Santa Rosa.