Learning language with Artificial Intelligence: Serbo-Croatian

Hello, everyone! Today, I want to share a personal adventure with you: my journey of learning Serbo-Croatian,https://youtu.be/inRRHpNWADM, (or Bosnian-Croatian-Montenegrin-Serbian), a pluricentric language that connects the cultures and traditions of Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro.

My interest in Serbian began during my time working with a full-stack development team in Belgrade from 2017 to 2019. While managing the team, I discovered this beautiful language and started learning some phrases to communicate with my colleagues and build stronger connections. Although I don’t work with them anymore, many of them became friends, and I don’t want to forget the language or the bond we created.

I’m now planning to visit Belgrade and the entire Balkans, and learning this language is part of that journey. Currently, I also work with colleagues from Croatia, Bosnia, and Serbia, which makes mastering Serbo-Croatian even more relevant. Adding this language to my polyglot arsenal—which already includes Spanish, English, French, Italian, Portuguese, German, and some Russian—is both a challenge and a privilege.

With the help of technology, I’ve started exploring this fascinating language using AI-powered tools like LandoTalk to improve my pronunciation, build vocabulary, and immerse myself in a rich and diverse linguistic world.

Why Serbo-Croatian?

Learning a language isn’t just about words—it’s a journey into the heart of a culture. Serbo-Croatian is unique for its pluricentric nature, with four standard varieties:

• Serbian
• Croatian
• Bosnian
• Montenegrin

These varieties share a common grammar and vocabulary but reflect the unique nuances of each culture. For me, learning this language is a gateway to incredible stories, people, and traditions.

Tools and Strategies for Learning:

Here are some of the tools and techniques I’m using to learn:

1. Artificial Intelligence with LandoTalk An app that allows me to practice conversations with AI, providing real-time corrections on pronunciation, grammar, and sentence structure.
2. Personalized Flashcards I create flashcards with words and phrases I encounter to strengthen my memory and vocabulary.
3. Grammar and Pronunciation I’ve been using a book called "Step Into Serbian" to build a solid foundation in grammar and pronunciation, crucial for forming accurate sentences.
4. Spaced Repetition I rely on spaced repetition methods to consolidate what I’ve learned and make the process more effective over time.

What I’ve Learned So Far:

• Greetings: How to say "Hi" (Bok) and introduce myself.
• Basic Grammar: How to conjugate essential verbs like to be and to have.
• Linguistic Differences: For example, Serbian uses both Cyrillic and Latin scripts, while Croatian exclusively uses Latin.
• Pronunciation: Understanding sounds like ?, ?, and others unique to Slavic languages.

Challenges and Opportunities:

Learning a language as rich in nuances as Serbo-Croatian is undoubtedly a challenge. The differences between the standard varieties and the grammatical complexities require effort, but every small step brings me closer to my goal: having conversations with native speakers during my travels in the Balkans.

An Invitation to Connect:

If you’re also learning a new language, especially Serbo-Croatian, or you’re passionate about linguistics, I’d love to hear your experiences. Share your tips, favorite resources, or even just words of encouragement!

Follow me here on LinkedIn for updates on my language journey and how I’m leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance my skills.

Conclusion:

Learning a language isn’t just about acquiring a skill—it’s a journey toward new cultures, people, and opportunities. With the right tools and a good dose of determination, I hope to show that anything is possible.

Thank you for reading, and… Vidimo se uskoro! (See you soon!)

#LanguageLearning #SerboCroatian #ArtificialIntelligence #LandoTalk #PolyglotJourney #PersonalGrowth