Travelling is all about new experiences and getting out of your comfort zone. Growing up in a country with English as one of the national languages, it would be easy to assume that everyone in the world speaks the language or at least understands it.
According to a recent research study by Statista, about 1.5 billion people worldwide spoke English either natively or as a second language. Mandarin comes in at a close second with more than 1.1 billion speakers worldwide. But what happens when you visit a country where most of the residents don’t speak the language? Whether it be as an exchange student, a tourist, or even for a work engagement, the possibility of you encountering a country that does not necessarily speak English is pretty high.
But worry not as we’ve got your back, from cultural dos and don’ts to communicating without being offensive. We have garnered quick tips for the rookie traveller who happens to find themselves in a foreign country that does not speak their language.
1. It’s okay to be scared
As daunting as it may seem, you’re not the first person nor the last to experience what you’re going through. The sobering realisation that you’re not able to ask for directions in your native tongue or even order food because the menu is written in Chinese characters can be terrifying. But look for common similarities and start there, for instance, menus often have pictures accompanying them so you can point and ask the waiter how to say that in their language, in that way you’re turning that fear into a learning experience.
Just think of the many international tourists you saw in your native country speaking their home language and still managing to get by. Chances are if you look like you’re trying, someone will offer to help, the world is full of good samaritans who are especially kind to tourists who try to absorb the native culture of the country they’re visiting.
2. Your cellphone is your best friend
The world has thankfully evolved from times of paper maps and even though you might be in a foreign country that speaks a foreign language, at least your cellphone will still understand you and give you the answers you might be looking for. Imagine how Christopher Columbus and the first world travellers felt when arriving in foreign lands without being able to communicate with the people they were visiting.
Google translation for one is a very witty tool for communication although sometimes the direct translations are a bit off, chances are whoever you’re talking to will get the gist of what you’re trying to say. For instance, if you’re looking to visit a place write it in English and ask for the translation into the language of the country that you’re staying in. In that way, you can either show your cab driver to read the location or even play the sound for them to hear your intended destination. Yes I know, the 4th Industrial revolution is really here and IRobot is really turning into a reality.
3. Learn key phrases
Just like a baby learning to talk, learning a new language requires the same type of skill and approach, one way to do that is by learning key phrases. Just like in movies where the lost tourist in a Spanish country would randomly gesture as if they’re drinking and saying ‘agua’ when they’re thirsty. Truth is that actually also works in real life, and as stupid as it may look, at least you won’t be dying of thirst.
Even though you might not have deep meaningful conversations with people at least learning key phrases allows you to communicate your needs which can help you get by. This is also a great way to make new friends, as I’ve mentioned before, locals really love to see a tourist who tries to immerse themselves in their culture and chances are they’ll always be willing to help if you’re willing to learn.
4. Use an app to communicate
We live in a world where things are constantly evolving and that allows us to explore in ways that weren’t possible before. App creators probably saw the limitations of Google translate and developed apps that can translate full phrases into a different language for the user. This way you can have meaningful conversations and also communicate your needs and wants to locals at ease.
Chances are you’ll need wifi connectivity or a local SIM card for an internet connection but I’m guessing that’s a really small price to pay for stress-free travel. Just get into your App Store and type in translator apps and choose the one that works best for you, download it, and then you’re good to go. Now you can tour the country without the limitations of a tourist.
5. Get a tour guide
Yes, I know that it might take away from the originality of your experience or make you feel like a toddler in a walker but tour guides can really come in handy. There are some things that tourists do that aren’t really allowed or come off as rude and with a tour guide such instances can often be avoided. For instance here in Cape Town, we have beautiful colourful houses in Bo-Kaap which often acts as opportunities for Instagram moments for tourists.
This often results in them standing in front of people’s homes or walking right into their doorways to take pictures. An experienced tour guide would make you aware of your surroundings and if you really want to take a picture so badly they could ask on your behalf in a kind manner that makes the locals feel less like zoo animals. Also, there’s a lot that people who’ve lived in a place might know that you don’t, google will only give you so much info, tour guides offer the real on-the-ground experience, and this will be your chance to feel like a CNN journalist on the prowl.
6. Do your research
Gestures are often our immediate go-to when trying to communicate with people who may not understand us, but sometimes you need to know which gestures are considered rude or offensive before using them. For instance, pointing with your index finger is something that we find particularly normal in our country. But for some reason, it is particularly rude in China, Japan, and Indonesia. In some European and Middle Eastern countries, it is customary to point with your middle finger, something which we’d deem as offensive or rude in our country, especially if taken out of context. See why research is important?
7. There is strength in numbers
As a tourist in a foreign country, chances are you will encounter someone else doing the exact same thing, and chances are they might speak English as well. A great way to expose yourself to such is ditching the five-star hotel for a backpackers resort which often has travellers who travel on a budget and have visited countless countries. In this space, you’ll be able to interact with some locals, international travellers and even some employees who needed cheaper accommodation closer to work. A backpacker is a tourist’s best friend when it comes to making new friends or learning more about a particular country’s culture and lifestyle.
8. Be open-minded
Sometimes our fears get in the way of us being immersed in a new experience or even enjoying it to the fullest. You’d be surprised to learn that some of your best travel moments shall occur when exploring countries where you didn’t speak the language. It challenges you, helps you grow, and leaves you with memories to last a lifetime. I encourage all of you to travel to places where you don’t speak the language. You will survive and most importantly the stories will always be ten times better and more hilarious.
Picture: Getaway Gallery
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