English version to facilitate what the blog is about (but follow the Serbian version and recognize the different words we use):
How to Recognize Who Speaks Serbian among Similar Languages?
Four friends are sitting at a table – a Serb, a Croat, a Montenegrin, and a Bosnian.
Serb: “Alright, people, let me teach you how to make coffee, bre! First, you boil the water, then you add a spoonful of coffee, and that’s it. No philosophy, my dear friend, the most important thing is to drink it in good company!”
Croat: “Wait a minute, it’s not that simple. You need to get real ‘kava,’ preferably from a small roastery. And then, it's important to brew it slowly so the coffee can ‘breathe’. And, please, no sugar! Real coffee must be bitter!”
Bosnian: “Ah, man, you guys have no clue about coffee. Coffee is to be enjoyed slowly, there’s no rush here. In Bosnia, we first have a little chat with the coffee, see what it thinks. Then we put it on the stove, and when it foams, you know it’s done. And don’t forget the rahatluk, my friend, to sweeten life!”
Montenegrin: “Hey, slow down, everyone. You all make it too complicated. Coffee is simple, where’s the problem? You take a džezva, add coffee, water, and let it boil gently. And while you wait, you lie down a bit to rest. There’s nothing better than relaxing with coffee wherever you are.”
Serb (laughs): “Bre, what rahatluk, what roasteries, and resting! Coffee is coffee, just make it and be done! Why do you all have to philosophize about it? And who drinks coffee without sugar?! That’s like eating beans without bacon! When you start making it, make it right, everything else is just finesse, brate.”
Croat: “Oh, all you Serbs – let’s make it simple, quick, and add two sugars so you don’t have to taste the real flavor. It’s like when you make a barbecue – it’s all about the quantity, not the quality of how it’s cooked.”
Bosnian: “Really, you Serbs do everything in a hurry. Coffee is not just a drink; it’s a ritual, an art! But, come on, tell us, have you ever drunk coffee slowly, with pleasure?”
Montenegrin (lazily): “Well, yeah... I see the Serb is impatient, must be nervous because his coffee isn’t strong enough. I could go for another round, but I don’t feel like getting up; can someone else do it?”
Serb: “What do you know... Coffee is meant to wake you up, so you can keep going. And all this talk of yours, it’s just a waste of time. Look, I’ll go get another one – but with sugar, mind you, and without all your ceremonies.”
Croat: “Well, what can I say, you Serbs are straightforward – like your coffee.”
Bosnian (laughs): “Man, Serbs like everything fast, as if their coffee would run away! And we, my friend, savor every drop.”
Montenegrin (calls out to the waiter): “Please, another one, but take your time – we’re in no rush.”
Serb: “Alright, alright... if it weren’t for you all, my coffee would never get made!”
Everyone laughs. And while the aroma of coffee fills the air, it’s clear that, regardless of how it’s prepared, the most important thing is the company – because wherever a person from the Balkans is, there’s laughter, coffee, and endless “different opinions” about the little things that “make life meaningful.”
How Do You Recognize Who Is from Which Country by Their Speech?
To truly master this, you’ll need practice, but this conversation can help you understand which words each person uses. While we all understand each other, we use different accents and words that vary from country to country.
How to Recognize Who Speaks Serbian among Similar Languages?
Four friends are sitting at a table – a Serb, a Croat, a Montenegrin, and a Bosnian.
Serb: “Alright, people, let me teach you how to make coffee, bre! First, you boil the water, then you add a spoonful of coffee, and that’s it. No philosophy, my dear friend, the most important thing is to drink it in good company!”
Croat: “Wait a minute, it’s not that simple. You need to get real ‘kava,’ preferably from a small roastery. And then, it's important to brew it slowly so the coffee can ‘breathe’. And, please, no sugar! Real coffee must be bitter!”
Bosnian: “Ah, man, you guys have no clue about coffee. Coffee is to be enjoyed slowly, there’s no rush here. In Bosnia, we first have a little chat with the coffee, see what it thinks. Then we put it on the stove, and when it foams, you know it’s done. And don’t forget the rahatluk, my friend, to sweeten life!”
Montenegrin: “Hey, slow down, everyone. You all make it too complicated. Coffee is simple, where’s the problem? You take a džezva, add coffee, water, and let it boil gently. And while you wait, you lie down a bit to rest. There’s nothing better than relaxing with coffee wherever you are.”
Serb (laughs): “Bre, what rahatluk, what roasteries, and resting! Coffee is coffee, just make it and be done! Why do you all have to philosophize about it? And who drinks coffee without sugar?! That’s like eating beans without bacon! When you start making it, make it right, everything else is just finesse, brate.”
Croat: “Oh, all you Serbs – let’s make it simple, quick, and add two sugars so you don’t have to taste the real flavor. It’s like when you make a barbecue – it’s all about the quantity, not the quality of how it’s cooked.”
Bosnian: “Really, you Serbs do everything in a hurry. Coffee is not just a drink; it’s a ritual, an art! But, come on, tell us, have you ever drunk coffee slowly, with pleasure?”
Montenegrin (lazily): “Well, yeah... I see the Serb is impatient, must be nervous because his coffee isn’t strong enough. I could go for another round, but I don’t feel like getting up; can someone else do it?”
Serb: “What do you know... Coffee is meant to wake you up, so you can keep going. And all this talk of yours, it’s just a waste of time. Look, I’ll go get another one – but with sugar, mind you, and without all your ceremonies.”
Croat: “Well, what can I say, you Serbs are straightforward – like your coffee.”
Bosnian (laughs): “Man, Serbs like everything fast, as if their coffee would run away! And we, my friend, savor every drop.”
Montenegrin (calls out to the waiter): “Please, another one, but take your time – we’re in no rush.”
Serb: “Alright, alright... if it weren’t for you all, my coffee would never get made!”
Everyone laughs. And while the aroma of coffee fills the air, it’s clear that, regardless of how it’s prepared, the most important thing is the company – because wherever a person from the Balkans is, there’s laughter, coffee, and endless “different opinions” about the little things that “make life meaningful.”
How Do You Recognize Who Is from Which Country by Their Speech?
To truly master this, you’ll need practice, but this conversation can help you understand which words each person uses. While we all understand each other, we use different accents and words that vary from country to country.