The importance of local language in Bulgaria

Cheryl Moderator

Member since 15 October 2018

CherylModerator24 May 2023 07:32:27

15108

Hey everyone,

As an expat, language questions often arise due to the need to communicate effectively in a new country. We’re curious to read your experiences with learning and using the local language in Bulgaria.

Here are some questions to get started:

What is the local language spoken in Bulgaria? Did you learn and use it? How difficult was it to learn?

Are there any resources or services available to help expats learn the local language? What are your tips?

What is the dominant language in the business environment? Have you had to conduct business meetings in the local language?

How does language proficiency contribute to understanding the local culture? Are there any specific cultural nuances or expressions that expats should be aware of?

How important is the local language for daily tasks such as shopping, transport, health and other services in Bulgaria?

Let's share tips and advice on how to improve language skills and integrate into a new environment.

Thank you for your contribution.

Cheryl
Expat.com Team

Anastasija_gust Contributor

Member since 11 December 2022

Anastasija_gustContributor24 May 2023 08:34:03

109

People like foreigners that try.

janemulberry ViP

Member since 23 January 2021

janemulberryViP25 May 2023 20:04:40

1941

I feel it's essential for expats to learn some Bulgarian. Though in many situations like grocery shopping one can get by fine with a bare minimum, we chose to live in someone else's country and it's important to respect that.

In cities and more touristy areas, many young people will speak some English, Russian, or German. In villages where it's mostly older folk, the only people who speak English will be the kids. I've spoken to several 10 and 12 year olds are near fluent, and even had someone in the mayor's office fetch their 10 year old son to translate!

Google Translate does help, but when using it to chat with my lovely Bulgarian neighbour, she often says things that translate as quite weird, so I'm sure I say "weird" things back just as often.

The best way I've learned, rather than doing a course, is by repeating back what my neighbours says and what Google Translate says. Also, Cyrillic isn't nearly as hard to learn as it looks! It helps a lot to be able to read signs, bus destinations, etc!

grahamstark1 Contributor

Member since 22 May 2023

grahamstark1Contributor26 May 2023 02:37:09

148

Agreed, although like in the UK each area has distinct dialects. My wife speaks conversational Bulgarian having lived here on and off for 17 years, but I have only been living here full time for a year and only speak the bare minimum.

She is very good with me when we are out making me read words, like shop signs, that way I begin to recognise letters and translate longer words, the difficulty I have is between higher and lower case as our brains are programmed to the English alphabet, like В is V and b is B said phonetically. So yes you're right the Bulgarian alphabet is key.