Just a Few Words Can Make A Big Difference
English is commonly understood around the world. It may be the de facto international language. When people from Japan or Russia meets someone from Italy or Germany, they probably use English. However, if English is your native tongue, and you plan to travel to Europe, yourtrip is will surely be more fun if you can speak even a little of the language of the country you are visiting.
Since English seems to be the lingua franca around the world, we’ll look at it from that perspective. If you’re a native English speaker, that’s lucky for you, but to be a real traveler, you should learn a few words of that foreign language… hello, good-bye, please and thank you at the very minimum. It’s just the right thing to do.
Also learn how to ask (in their language) if they understand English… or try to ask your question in their own language. They will appreciate the effort. Often they will volunteer, “Would you like to speak English?” And if they don’t speak English, they will most often try to find someone who does.
Take a phrase book with you. It will help to be able to point out a phrase if the local person you’re asking doesn’t seem to understand you. Don’t just speak louder… that could be very annoying. Remember English is a foreign language to them!
Even if you’re trying, your accent might leave them scratching their heads or blushing as you’ve said something a bit off color. When you travel, you need a sense of humor… don’t take your too seriously and don’t get embarrassed. Point to the word in the phrase book. Have a good laugh with them and move on.
Just give it a try. People are forgiving of tourists…. even the French who are not as unfriendly as they are made out to be. You should be GRATEFUL that they speak a little English to help you… not to expect it.
When you’re speaking English to your new friends, speak slowly and avoid slang. Idiomatic expressions and slang in any language often translate into something may have] a completely different meaning!
If you travel to France and the waiter comes up to you and says, “Bon jour, cafe?” Don’t stare blankly and say you don’t speak French. How tough is this one? He’s only saying good morning and asking if you want coffee. You should reply, “Bon jour, oui, merci.” See that wasn’t so hard. Just a couple of words you already knew, and now your waiter LIKES you… even if you don’t know another word of French!
Don’t be intimidated by signs in a foreign language… take a good look at them… think in an intuitive way. Some words are very similar in different languages? If it says “farmacia” instead of “pharmacy”, take a guess… you’re probably looking at that pharmacy or drug store you were looking for! Is there a pictorial sign to help? A green cross or a pharmacist’s scale would be a good clue. That may not be what you’re used to at home, but look in the window and think about it, and you can figure it out.
Remember, you travel to see and learn something new … so revel in that foreign language, learn a few words, buy travel insurance, and have fun!
I’m sure you are right. However, life is too short to learn every language on the face of the earth. I recommend Esperanto.
Take a look at http://www.esperanto.net
Esperanto works! I’ve used it in speech and writing – and sung in it – in about fifteen countries over recent years.
Indeed, the language has some remarkable practical benefits. Personally, I’ve made friends around the world through Esperanto that I would never have been able to communicate with otherwise. And then there’s the Pasporta Servo, which provides free lodging and local information to Esperanto-speaking travellers in over 90 countries. In the past few years I have had guided tours of Berlin and Milan and Douala in Cameroon in the planned language. I have discussed philosophy with a Slovene poet, humour on television with a Bulgarian TV producer. I’ve discussed what life was like in East Berlin before the wall came down, how to cook perfect spaghetti, the advantages and disadvantages of monarchy, and so on.