Tournadre (languages, U. of Paris VIII) and Dorje's (Tibetan literature, U. of Tibet) text emphasizes modern colloquial Tibetan as spoken in and around Lhasa, but adhering to a register that is widely used and understood. Designed for scholars and casual visitors to Tibet for work or travel, the text incorporates cultural background into entertaining dialogues and texts throughout the manual. Translated into English by Charles Ramble (Tibetan and Himalayan studies, Oxford U.) from the second French edition of Tournadre and Dorje's Manuel de Tibétain Standard (Paris, l'Asiathèque, 2003). Recordings of all texts of the manual's 41 lessons are included on the accompanying CD. No subject index. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)