To be living and working in a foreign country is always an adventure but it becomes even a greater one when you do not speak and understand the local language. That is why many foreign nationals try to learn the Bulgarian language and thus usually fall into the pit holes of the process.
Of course it depends on the way you intend to learn the language. It appears that most people start studying by themselves or with the help of their local friends. This seems to be the worst but yet most common way. Of course, it is relatively easy to do so but it will be much more efficient if you turn to the services of qualified local teachers or attend the specialized language courses for foreigners, organized in most big cities. This is the best possible way, as teachers are professionals and they know the right ways of presenting the material to you, so that you understand and remember it all much easier.
The only disadvantage, of having a qualified teacher or attending a language course, is that you will probably find it very difficult learning to write in Bulgarian and to study all the grammatical peculiarities of the language. Studying grammatical issues is considered an important part of the whole learning process most teachers use it as a start point for the whole study. Of course, if you do your best to explain to your teacher that all you require are the basic speaking skills from the start it will be easier for the both of you.
To be able to cope with the everyday life in Bulgaria, for simple things like shopping, going out, ordering food and drinks in restaurants and most basic communications with the locals you actually need about 1000-1500 words and a lot less grammatical and theoretical knowledge. That is why practice is an essential ingredient in the whole learning process. Do not be afraid to use all Bulgarian words and sentences you have learned in public. No doubt it will provoke smiles and comments but on the whole the Bulgarian’s you are conversing with will do their best to correct your pronunciation and help you cope as best as possible they will find it charming and even flattering that a foreigner is trying to learn and speak their language.
For foreign nationals trying to learn Bulgarian grammar, sequence of tenses and genders of the words, the lack of resemblance between the Bulgarian and English alphabet and the accumulation of consonants in most words are actually not the main issue. Most people find it very hard to pronounce Bulgarian words not because it is so difficult but as a simple anatomy consequence. Scientists claim that English people have a specific jaw structure because their language requires more frequent jaw use when pronouncing words and phrases. Bulgarian language on the other hand, involves less jaw and more lip use, which makes it fairly difficult to master when you are so used to the other pattern.
Learning Bulgarian sounds like quite a challenge but will surely make your life and your relations in the country easier. So, you may as well give it a try!
