Excitement, wonder, and anticipation fill you as you step off the plane for what is the beginning of a trip you will never forget.
Everything has been planned to the tee – you have all of your documents, your itineraries, so much research was put in to make sure you get the best out of every second of every day.
The flight was smooth, now you just have to hop on a train to travel to the first city on your itinerary.
You look in your documents folder and pull out the train ticket you had purchased months ago with the name of the city clearly printed on it.
Having done thorough research, you know to find the signs that lead you to the train station so you can then find the city’s name on the board.
Easy enough.
Bag in hand, you walk over to the train station and begin looking for a sign with the name of the city you are going to.
As you look around, all you see are tunnels and halls, escalators leading to more halls, people frantically running in every direction, and announcements overhead that you don’t understand.
No sign of the city anywhere.
With only 10 minutes left before the train leaves, you try to keep your cool and work hard to calm the anxiety that is slowly creeping up – you look around to ask someone for help.
“Um, hi, excuse me”, nervous giggle “do you speak English?”, you ask.
Depending on where you are and who you’re talking to, you may get either an:
- A) “Of course, how can I help you?”,
- B) “No, so sorry”, or
- C) “Ha, No”, and in some cases a major eye roll to make sure you understood their annoyance with such a question.
Your hopes will always be A, but what if everyone around you answered like B or C; what if not one person spoke English?
How will you navigate public transport, or order food?
How will you ask for help when you need it?
One of the best parts of traveling abroad is meeting people, but how will you make friends if you don’t speak the same language?
Admittedly, I didn’t think about these things either on my first trips abroad.
In fact, even subsequent times, I didn’t put too much thought into communication because most people spoke English everywhere we went, so I didn’t perceive it as a problem or a hinderance – I was getting by.
That is, until I actually started making an effort and realized how much richer my experiences became, how many more people I met, how much more love I felt for the country and its culture.
So, I came up with a list of tried and tested tips to help you communicate effectively when no one speaks your language.
This will enable you to immerse yourself in the culture, unlock friendships, favorite food recommendations and even “locals only” spots, and most importantly, gain the confidence to feel safe and independent.
Overall, being able to effectively communicate will allow you to spend more energy on flowing.
Because if you’re not flowing while on holiday, then what’s the point?
Table of Contents
Communication & Why It’s So Important
Communication is the heartbeat of our daily lives. It’s how we share our thoughts, forge bonds, tackle challenges, and acquire knowledge.
It’s more than just speaking; it’s about listening, understanding, and interpreting non-verbal cues like gestures and facial expressions.
When you’re abroad, communication takes center stage. It’s the magic key that unveils the depth of a country’s culture, its people, and its treasures.
Familiarizing yourself with the local language not only aids in practical matters like navigating public transport or ordering meals, but it’s also vital in bridging cultural gaps, connecting with locals, understanding their traditions, and truly experiencing the essence of your destination.
Mastering effective communication can transform your travel experience, allowing you to dive deep into the local culture.
And the best part? It’s not as hard as you might think.
Be Prepared
Before embarking on your journey, becoming familiarized with the local language at your destination makes a major difference. You don’t have to become fluent or even understand it if spoken to you, but exposing yourself to the language of your destination will allow a smoother transition into the new culture leading to quicker immersion.
Learn Basic Phrases
Take some time to learn a few basic phrases in the local language of your destination.
Learning just enough to open a conversation proves to make a world of a difference.
As you engage in conversation, take note of different local phrases you begin hearing, or other phrases you start running into more often.
By learning some simple phrases, right off the bat, you are exuding respect for the local culture, which can open up a dialogue that otherwise would’ve been missed.
It can also serve as an ice breaker, lead to more meaningful interactions, and, if anything, makes people smile, which a lot of times, is just as warm.
Practice Hearing, Speaking, & Seeing the Language Before Your Trip
Immerse yourself completely in the new language leading up to your trip. Not only will it start training your brain to recognize the new language, it will be so much fun and add so much depth to your trip before you even arrive.
Hearing the Language
- TV: watch your favorite show in the language you’re learning with English subtitles on.
- Music: jam out to the top hits in that language. You don’t necessarily have to understand the lyrics, but hearing the language in music allows you to start recognizing its structure and rhythm.
Speaking the Language
- Language Learning Apps: easy way to practice vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation, all while being right on your phone, easy access anywhere.
- Practice with a Friend: practicing common phrases or conversations with your travel partner, your roommate, a family member or a friend, is fun and very helpful.
Seeing the Language
- Label Things Around Your House: the more labels you stick, the more you get used to seeing the words and recognizing their meaning.
Do’s & Don’ts of Effective Communication Abroad
Now that you’ve prepared for your big trip, here are some do’s and don’ts of effective communication once you’re at your destination.
Do’s of Communication Abroad
DO Use Google Translate (aka your new best friend)
- Type It Out: Not sure how to say something? Type it into Google Translate first. It’ll give you a good idea of what to say.
- Speak and Translate: Use the microphone feature to translate spoken language. You can even have the other person speak directly into your phone.
- Snap and Learn: Use the camera feature to translate text in real time. This is super useful for understanding signs, menus, or even items at the grocery store.
DO Speak Slow & Simple
Keep your sentences basic and clear. And remember, idioms and sayings usually don’t translate well, so it’s best to avoid them. Stick to simple words and phrases.
DO Embrace Local Pronunciation
Don’t worry about sounding silly! Pronouncing words in an “American accent” might actually make you stand out more. So, go ahead and give the local pronunciation a shot. If you get a few laughs, don’t sweat it. Keep trying, and even ask locals for help with pronunciation.
DO Jot Down Recurring Words
Keep a notepad on your phone for words that keep popping up. Could be anything from ‘cheese’ to ‘exit’ or ‘vegan milk’. It’s not only handy but also a fun way to remember your trip. Every time you use those words, you’ll be reminded of your amazing time there.
DO Practice Any Chance You Get
Don’t miss any opportunity to practice the language. Chat with anyone you can – it’s a great way to make friends and get to know the local culture better, even unlocking some ‘locals-only’ recommendations.
Don’ts of Communication Abroad
DON’T Get Louder or Use Excessive Hand Gestures
It’s a common reflex to speak louder and over enunciated, or use big hand gestures when there’s a language barrier. But trust me, it doesn’t really help. In fact, it might even annoy people. So, keep your cool and communicate calmly. Remember, it’s all about respect and understanding.
DON’T Repeat the Same Thing Over and Over
- If you’ve tried saying something a couple of times and it’s not landing, don’t just keep repeating. Remember, communication is about more than just words – be creative and patient.
- Switch It Up: Use a different word or phrase that means the same thing.
- Describe It: If a word isn’t understood, try explaining what it is or what it does.
- Show, Don’t Tell: Find a picture on your phone that shows what you’re trying to say.
DON’T Assume Everyone Speaks English
When you’re in a country where English isn’t the first language, don’t assume everyone speaks it.
You’ll find that many people are multilingual, and showing even just a little effort goes a long way. Most of the time, if you try to meet them halfway, they’ll likely do the same. This opens up opportunities to:
- Practice the Language: The best way to learn is by doing. So, use this chance to practice.
- Connect with Locals: Speaking their language helps build genuine connections. It’s a great way to make friends!
- Discover Hidden Gems: Locals know the best spots that aren’t in any guidebook. So, you might just stumble upon an amazing place that most tourists don’t know about.
DON’T Lose Patience or Positivity
Remember, while you’re on vacation, the locals are just living their daily lives. They might be busy or have had bad experiences with tourists in the past. So, if they seem impatient, don’t take it personally.
Keep practicing the language and thank them for their patience. See every interaction as a chance to get better at the language. And most importantly, keep a positive attitude, be patient, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. After all, mistakes are how we learn! So, keep at it, and enjoy the journey of learning a new language.
Final Takeaways
Breaking the language barrier when traveling abroad is not just about overcoming a challenge, but about enriching your travel experience.
Don’t be shy about diving into a new language – it’s your adventure, so make it count!
Communication is key, and being prepared with basic phrases and an understanding of the language can make a world of difference.
Remember the do’s and don’ts once you arrive – use tools like Google Translate, embrace the local pronunciation, and practice whenever you can with whoever you can.
Remember, practice makes perfect.
The more you use the language, the easier it’ll get.
If you’re unsure about pronunciation, just ask. People usually appreciate the effort. And if you start the conversation in their language, you’ll learn even more.
Always remember to be respectful and patient, and keep at it.
The day you order that ‘double expresso avec un pain aux raisins‘ smoothly, you’ll feel on top of the world.
The world is a fascinating place – break the language barrier, broaden your perspective and pave the way for transformative experiences and unforgettable adventures.
As always, sending you lots of love <3
Until Next Time,
Cristina Marie
