So you are off to France next week! Congratulations! Bon voyage!
You have your passport. Your tickets are bought. Your bags are almost packed. You are excited about your plans to see the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Chateau de la Loire and planting yourself on a Mediterranean beach.
Just one thing....now you wish you had studied French, or had worked harder to learn the language in school.
Don't panic! Here are few suggestions to help you make your way around in in another language. Not knowing another language should not be a reason to not travel. Think how limited the world would be if everyone thought this way.
First, many signs in places like airports, train stations and tourist areas are multilingual - in the local language, English, and often one other. The graphics usually are easy to understand. Arrows will point you in the correct direction.
True, some languages are easier to master. This is often because they have evolved from a similar language base. Some words appear, or sound similar to words we know in English, e.g. in French - une robe - a dress. French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and to some point English are all based on Latin. This can be helpful, though not always foolproof. e.g. la fenetre (French) > la finestra (Italian).
Take time to learn a few simple words or phrases in your destination language. "Hello". "please", and "thank you" are always good to know. Say them with a smile and you will go far. Phrases like "Where is the washroom?", and "Where is the Coliseum?" are always useful to know. While you may not understand the answer, being pointed in the direction will help.
A smart phone can be helpful in learning a language. There are apps that teach some of the simple basics of a language - vocabulary and phrases. Rosetta Stone has a convenient app that can teach the basics of many languages. Download the app, sign up, choose the language and the learning begins. This is a great way to pass time in departure lounges and en route to a destination.
Two specific apps that are quite helpful are GoogleTranslate and WordLens. With GoogleTranslate a word or phrase in a language is keyed as if texting. Care needs to be taken with spelling. The screen will show the text in the chosen language. There is also a pronunciation, and a handwriting component for this.
Word Lens is another app. A photograph is taken of the text being translated. A destination language is chosen and soon the text appears on the screen. This app works especially well with menus, documents and signage. It should be noted that apps like these are great tools for a traveller; however, to be dependent upon them for a conversation will unrealistically slow the pace. They are more appropriate for use in specific situations.
Travelling in some areas of the world the script, and the sound of a language have no relationship to English. On a personal note, when I travelled in Arab speaking countries using the words 'shokrun' - 'thank you', and 'salam' - 'hello' brought smiles to many faces. We would communicate by pointing, using gestures, even drawing pictures.
Write down the names and addresses of hotels, restaurants, attractions and other places before heading out. Showing them to a cab driver, or someone on the street is so much easier than fumbling with the pronunciation.
Not knowing a language is not a good reason to not travel. Your resourcefulness and resiliency may astound you. Come on pack your bag!
