Have you been looking for a Serbian course, only to find that the language-learning giants don’t offer one? Don’t worry, we’ve got you. There may be no Serbian on Rosetta Stone, but there is Serbian on Ling.
Ling has taken the formula made popular by apps like Rosetta Stone and Duolingo and refined it into an app that is both well-structured and fun, with courses in 70+ languages. Here’s what makes Serbian special, why it’s worth learning, and the best alternatives to Rosetta Stone.
Does Rosetta Stone Have Serbian?
No. Rosetta Stone’s language menu lists 25 courses, from Spanish, French and German to Polish, Russian and Greek, and neither Serbian nor Croatian is among them. If Serbian is the language you want, you’ll need a different app, and the good news is that there are solid options below.
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What Are Some Unique Features About The Serbian Language?
Linguists group Serbian and Croatian together as Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian is the standard variety of it used mainly by Serbs. Serbian has about 8.2 million native speakers, and here is what else makes it stand out:
- Where it’s spoken: Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Kosovo. It also has minority language status in Croatia and some other Central European countries.
- Close relatives: Serbian is very closely related to Bosnian and Montenegrin.
- Dialects: the dialect most widely spoken is called Shtokavian, and another dialect is Torlakian.
- Two alphabets: Serbian is a rare example of a language that actively uses both the Cyrillic script and the Latin script.
Why Should You Learn Serbian?
This list will mainly focus on reasons to visit Serbia specifically, with the obvious caveat that speaking Serbian will make your life easier. There are more general reasons to learn any language too, like the sense of accomplishment that comes with completing a worthwhile task.
- History. Serbia has had a troubled recent past, but people forget that the country also has a fascinating ancient history. People often talk about how Turkey is the gateway between East and West, yet Serbia was another place where the Ottomans and the Habsburgs clashed. Belgrade alone has been battled over in 115 wars and razed 44 times, and you can see evidence of that past as you walk through the capital.
- Nightlife. Belgrade is another European capital that has become very popular with groups of Northern European travelers. Belgrade has a little something for everyone, whether you’re a social drinker or a party animal!
- Food. The prevailing logic in Serbia is that the food is best in the South, closer to the Mediterranean, which is famous for its cuisine. The Serbian diet is very meat-heavy, and there’s even a popular festival in Leskovac dedicated to meat. Some popular dishes include sarma, gibanica, and cevapi. It’s seen as good manners never to leave your plate empty!
- Nature And Spas. Serbia is home to beautiful rivers as well as cave systems. However, what Serbia is most famous for is its spas, which have such a historical reputation that even the Romans loved them. Keep an eye out for the most famous, Vrnjačka Banja.
Want a taste of the language before your trip? Start with how to express feelings and emotions in Serbian or the words for clothing in Serbian.
What Are The Best Alternatives To Rosetta Stone For Serbian?
Since there is no Serbian on Rosetta Stone, here are the two best alternatives. For a longer list, see our roundup of the best apps for learning Serbian.
Ling: Best For A Full Serbian Course
Ling offers a little bit of everything for prospective Serbian learners, with vocabulary, reading, listening and speaking practice. What users have particularly liked is that all of the audio is recorded by native speakers.
- Flashcards with images, translations and native speaker audio.
- Mini-games such as matching, listening and sentence sorting.
- Dialog for interactive conversation practice.
- A 7-day free trial, then plans from $16.99.
Preply: Best For One-On-One Serbian Tutoring
If you want live conversation with a person, get a real-life tutor from Preply. Preply is a platform that connects you with native tutors from hundreds of different countries.
Options are slightly more limited for a smaller country like Serbia. The good news is that Serbian tutors’ prices are likely to be lower.
Frequently Asked Questions About Serbia And Serbian
What Is The English Level Like In Serbia?
As with many other countries in this part of Europe, the English level is constantly improving. If you talk to young people, you’ll probably find their English is better than the older generations’, and many older people prefer to speak German.
How Safe Is Serbia?
Belgrade is generally considered very safe compared to most capital cities, both during the day and at night. The main issues are petty theft, such as bag snatching or pickpocketing.
How Expensive Is Serbia?
Belgrade is known as one of the more affordable capitals in Europe. A full meal with wine for two usually costs much less than it would in most Western European capitals.
Learn Serbian With Ling
Congratulations, you now know what makes Serbian unique and where to learn it, even without Rosetta Stone. Whether you’re drawn by Belgrade’s history, its food or its nightlife, a little Serbian will make every trip richer.
With flashcards, native speaker audio, fun mini-games and Dialog for real conversation practice, Ling makes learning simple and enjoyable. Plans start at $16.99, with $64.99 and $89.99 options. Start learning Serbian today and enjoy every step of the journey!
