ISBN:
This book is essentially the Tibetan Phrasebook (see below) reset with the Tibetan script by Snow Lion Publications. Please see the review of the Tibetan Phrasebook and ignore the negative comments from the Amazon customer who reviewed this book on their web site.

ISBN: 0-937938-54-8 (book and casettes)
As the title indicates, this book concentrates on the spoken language. If you're going to Tibet or want to communicate with Tibetan communities, this book will be useful.

Despite some problems with the presentation, the accompanying tapes are the best feature. The book is of little use to anyone without these tapes since it does not use the Tibetan script. (Naturally, we think the book could have been more helpful if the Tibetan script were included so that you could also point to phrases.)

Interesting little tidbits about Tibetan culture and traditions are included throughout the book as well. We think this book is worth the money when purchased with the tapes AND if you don't need the Tibetan script. A better purchase would probably be Learning Practical Tibetan by the same authors, reviewed above.

ISBN: 0-520-07622-2
This book is indispensable for anyone attempting to master literary Tibetan. Written by a well-known scholar, it exhibits the type of attention to detail that is frequently missing from grammar books. The systematic introduction of particles and its approach to analyzing clauses and sentences makes the task of breaking down complex Tibetan passages much easier.

Each chapter includes at least one reading passage presented in the Tibetan script along with a line by line transliteration and a free translation of the text. Each clause is then broken down step by step in a detailed section explaining the form and function of nearly every syllable or word. An extensive glossary and index to Tibetan particles is also included. An appendix includes sample readings from Communist sources. We did occasionally find an error in the Tibetan script but nothing that cannot be easily overcome by an attentive reader.

The Tibetan typeface used through the book is easy to read and fairly well designed.

With nearly 500 pages, this book is a must-have for any serious student of the Tibetan language.

ISBN: 0-486-23466-5
Although this was one of the first books available in Tibetan with a wide circulation, it should be noted that the reference to “colloquial” is somewhat outdated. Originally written in the early 1900s (and reprinted ad infinitum) this book is great for people who are curious about the state of the Tibetan language at the turn of the last century, but not for people who want to learn the modern vernacular. It does however present an excellent foundation for general knowledge of the language.

The Tibetan and English type used throughout the book is occasionally difficult to read, offset or broken. Hopefully the book will be reset with modern technology since the book is not without its historical value. There are also some typographical errors.

Most editions include a few sample pages of handwritten Tibetan script at the back of the book.