Phrase book

I have an ever-expanding collection of travel books.

This offering from Berlitz, published in 1974, is the oldest - on permanent loan from the family library.

Yugoslavia may no longer exist, but the language lives on in the various different Republics of the former soviet state.

And while it's hardly like reading a piece of classical literature, there?s something quite oddly charming about some of the phrases in this book that certainly date it.

Some wonderful choice phrases for the discerning holidaymaker sojourning on the Dalmatian Riviera:

- Ja cu penti tashnu? - I'll take this briefcase with me.

- Kako chesko ide autobus za Titograd? - How often do the buses to Titograd run?

- Sutra uveche nam dolazi malo drushtvo. Nadam se da mozhete doci - We're giving a small party tomorrow night. I do hope you can come.

But my particular favourite is from the dating section:

- Ispala Vam je maramica - You've dropped your handkerchief

Oh, Gospodin Darcy!