Customer Reviews
Useful for traveller in Iran or student of Persian - By: J. E. S. Leake, 04 Aug 2008 
This phrasebook is a most useful book for anyone wanting to travel in Iran, or for any student of Persian (Farsi is the language's Persian name).
The scripts are done quite well. Each English phrase has two Persian equivalents, a colloquial Persian in Latin ('English') script & a formal written Persian in Arabic script. For example, "Do you speak English?" has the colloquial "[shomâ] ingilisi balad-in" in English script & the formal written "[shomâ] ingilisi balad-id" in Arabic script. The colloquial form is the one to learn, unless you want to write something. But the Iranian or Afghan you show the Persian phrase to will see the formal written language he or she expects to see. Just be aware that if you ask someone to read out the Persian script, it'll probably be slightly different to the Latin script (only slightly - the colloquial isn't Persian slang).
Both of the phrases are always in the polite form (shomâ) rather than in the intimate (to) form. Iranans are a courteous people & the polite forms are always best except with good friends or family.
There's lots of information on how to behave, on body language, a little grammar at the beginning & a mini English-Persian/Persian-English dictionary at the end. The only section it doesn't have is the usual Lonley Planet 'Dating' section, which is probably just as well ("it isn't considered acceptable to date an Iranian" as it warns you under the "Arranging to Meet" section).
If you're travelling further East, & need to use the Tajik dialect of Persian, try Central Asia: Languages of the Silk Road (Lonely Planet Phrasebook) instead.
VERY INFORMATIVE AND EDUCATING.....the language of Iran - By: Heather Marshall Negahdar, 25 Jun 2008 What a good move I made by purchasing this book FROM Amazon!!!
I will be traveling out to the Middle East this year & have been trying to catch up with my Persian language, better known as Farsi. I have been receiving some tutoring, which was very well received, but this book has put me right on to where I want to be.
You will find this Persian phrasebook suitable for travelers with alll those important questions you will need to ask at the airport, in the market when purchasing items, finding your way around, almost anything for that matter. I highly recommend this book to those traveling to the East & please keep it on you for easy reference. It is such a handy book & can fit right into the smalllest pocket book or jeans pocket. Well done!!!
Reviewed by Heather Marshalll Negahdar (SUGAR-CANE 25-06-08)
Condensed, comprehensive guide to Persian - By: Iki Thomozi, 01 May 2008 
This book is aimed primarily at those planning a visit to Iran but I have used it to study the language structurallly & have found it to be very comprehensive in its coverage of grammar. The transliteration system is rational & clear, & it has a decent (but obviously rudimentary, given the space)two way dictionary at the back. Persian is a fascinating language that is related to English & other Indo-European languages but also with elements of Arabic. I found this book very useful & informative not to mention portable & cheap!
Can fit in my handbag! Bonus! - By: TRACY WOODWARD, 10 Feb 2007 I found this book, although geared towards someone travelling to Iran, has been very useful to me. I bought it so I can learn to speak to my boyfriend's mum, who doesn't speak much English & it has been helpful in learning some of the basics. If only it came with a little package of confidence too!!! But you can't reallly ask for more the price, can you!!???
Small, cheap and very good! - By: Brett Shirley, 10 Jul 2006 I didn't think I would be getting much with this book when I saw the price tag but I was very pleasantly surprised. The pronunciation & grammar sections are a welcome change from some 'phrasebooks'. The verb tables are also very useful in covering some of the most important verbs. The book is very well structured & easily navigable. And on top of alll that, it is tiny & could easily fit into a handbag of backpocket, etc. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone learning Farsi.
