TheTravelNook.com

English is commonly understood around the world. It may be the de facto international language. When someone from Japan or Russia meets someone from Italy or Germany, they probably speak English. However, if English is your native language, and you plan to travel to Europe, your journey is likely to be more enjoyable 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 point of view. 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 least. It’s just the right thing to do.

Also learn how to ask (in their language) if they speak English… or try to ask your question in their own language. They will appreciate the effort. Often they will offer, “Would you like to speak English?” And if they don’t speak English, they will likely try to find someone who can.

Take a phrase book with you. You can point out a phrase if the local person you’re asking doesn’t speak English or understand your version of their language. Don’t just speak louder… that could be very annoying. Remember English is a second language to them!

Even if you’re trying, your accent might leave them scratching their heads or blushing as you’ve said something you didn’t want to. To be a traveler, 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 expect tourists to make mistakes…. even the French who have an undeserved reputation for not being helpful. 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 a French waiter comes up to you and says, “Bon jour, cafe?” Don’t stare blankly and say you don’t speak French. How hard is it really? He’s greeting you with 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 probably really did know already, and now your waiter LIKES you… even if you never utter 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. Does it look similar to a word you’re familiar with? If it says “farmacia” instead of “pharmacy”, take a guess… You just found 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!