The Bulgarian Language
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If you intend to relocate permanently to Bulgaria, you'll need to not only speak a little of the language but also have some understanding of written Bulgarian.
Speaking Bulgarian
Bulgarian uses the Cyrillic alphabet. The downside is that it bears little resemblance to our Latin alphabet. On the other hand, it is phonetic so if you learn the sounds of each letter, you can read words from a dictionary to make yourself understood.
In the tourist areas, you will almost certainly find people who speak English, but if you are relocating to a more remote area, then the chances of this are quite slim.
Students in Bulgaria tend to choose English as a second language. Older Bulgarians learned Russian. Most of the estate agents in Bulgaria are staffed by young Bulgarians, speaking only basic English.
If you intend to travel on your own in Bulgaria, an understanding of the Bulgarian language is a must. The majority of the general public, police officers, and public transport workers don’t understand English. Trying to communicate is virtually impossible.
One of the most important things to remember in Bulgaria is that the Bulgarians shake their heads from side to side when they mean "yes" and nod when they mean "no."
It is advisable to listen carefully to the spoken words, such as da, which means yes and ne, which means no. But be careful. If Bulgarians know they are speaking to foreigners, sometimes the nodding and shaking can be reversed, adding further to the confusion and general misunderstanding.
Is there a way to learn Bulgarian free?
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