Book excerpt: This guide is a simple means of sharing the Chechen language and culture with speakers of English. It makes no claim to be a linguistic research tool, but is provided as a practical aid for the first steps in communication with an intentionally easy-to-use pronunciation system. This is the first time Chechen has been presented in such a way, a venture not without its obstacles since the language is still sadly without a truly developed analysis of its structure. An attempt has been made to provide phrases and scenes from everyday life, as well as items of practical background information, although their relevance clearly will depend on the actual situation in Chechnya, and whether the war is in fact over or just postponed.