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Starting to Communicate: Overcoming the Language Barrier

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You did it, congratulations!  You got your ticket and are ready for the trip of your lifetime.  There are just a few details to tidy up.  But have you thought about how you'll handle the language barrier?  Don’t worry, you’ve got a long plane ride to cram, right?

Languages.  One of the most important elements when you travel is  It is the bridge that connects you to other cultures, and the window that allows you to have a greater insight and appreciation of a country.  That is when you understand the language.

With that being true, it is also sometimes a barrier that brings isolation and frustration.  Obviously this is when the language seems like a massive mountain to climb and you can’t see the top of it.

There is so much to understand about languages and learning a language. You can do this!

 My Language Learning Journey

True, when I was in high school we had to take a language.  My parents believed Latin was the key.  I still can’t say that it helped me a lot, but maybe it did. 

When I decided to travel, I first went to where English was spoken, although it was not the first language.  After that I started to travel through English-speaking countries.  I had amazing trips and learned so much.  Languages were not so much the issue, but accents were.   I got by just fine though!

When I decided to go backpacking through parts of Latin America, I was in my 20’s and thought it would just be a short trip of a few months, as my usual habit.   

Fast forward a few months.  I had traveled and decided I wanted to stay a bit longer.  I volunteered with tourists who needed advice and directions (there was no Google yet.)  I spoke a lot of English to the travelers, and the time I was not working, I was immersing myself in the culture.  But during those hours, I was silent.

I didn’t understand anything or know where to begin if I wanted to learn.  I got some books and also a tutor. 

The frustration was immense and intense, as sometimes when I just wanted to ask for a glass of water, I stayed silent. I just couldn’t get myself to talk even if I wanted to.

Over the years I have had to learn a few languages.  Starting with Spanish, it took me years.  But as I was immersed into the culture, and later working where I only spoke Spanish, it came slowly and surely.

As an adult, I view learning languages differently than I did 30 years ago.  There are great resources to help you along the way!

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Easy Ways to Communicate Abroad

Non-Verbal Communication

Body language (or charades) is always a good go-to.  Using gestures, drawing with your hands, anything that can get your point across.  Don’t feel silly.  It is called survival!  

The only ingredient to this method that is very important, is to do it with openness.  Be light and smile.  Use eye contact while minding the other person's personal space.  Frustration gets the best of us during these challenging moments, but you have to realize how far you have come.  You got on the plane in the first place!

Universal gestures are sometimes not so universal.  It is not a good practice to make a gesture to a local, that you usually would do to your cousin back home.  You just never know so the best way is to research beforehand.

For example, nodding may be the globally known way to say yes or no.  But pointing your finger can be rude in many cultures.  

If you don’t know the language, you will need to use gestures, and get good at them!  You could have lots of practice negotiating at a local market, ordering food, in an emergency situation, or asking for directions.

When asking for directions, also use common sense.  I have stopped for directions and have had four people in the same group each point to a different direction I needed to go.  Never Eat Soggy Worms (north, east, south, and west.)

Visual Aids, such as photos, drawings, maps, and anything we want to get across, can be shown to people, which can be extremely helpful.  

As a safety tip for using visual aids, there are a couple of things to take into consideration.

  1.  Be careful using your phone to show people things.  Someone could grab your phone and go.  I have seen it happen.
  2. If people shy away from you, understand how crime works in that society.  In Ecuador or Colombia, one way you can get robbed is by thieves putting a particular drug on a piece of paper.  If you touch or smell this, you can lose all your senses and be taken advantage of.  It is very serious.  For this reason people may not want to touch a map or a piece of paper that you are showing them.
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Translation Apps

If I had this years ago when I traveled, it would have been a different experience.  Translation apps offer instant translations, voice recognition, and text conversion in various languages.  My backpack would have been a lot lighter for sure!

Google Translate is the best known for this, but there are many.  I love it because I can just use my camera to get real-time translations.  You can also have offline access and the speech-to-text feature.  

Whatever app you use, get familiar with how to use a translation app before you leave.  Try to get it down pat so you are efficient with it in situations where you are in a hurry.  

The last thing you want to happen is if you are running for a bus and trying to ask someone at the same time if this is the bus to go on, but you are struggling with how to work your app.  But by the time you figure it out, the bus is gone!

Spanish in Spain is different from Spanish in Cali, Colombia.  Keep in mind that a translation might not be the exact translation for a certain country, region, dialect, or cultural expression.

Voice Assistants

Smart devices with voice assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa are good for hands-free communication.  They also have integrated translation capabilities.

Use Voice Commands such as “Siri, how do you say ‘sleep’ in French?”

Offline Tools

Get a Phrasebook 

Back in the time a Lonely Planet Phrasebook was the first purchase for a trip, before the backpack.  It is so useful to have a phrasebook that you can browse through when you are waiting in a line or on a train, etc.  

Language Learning Apps

Language apps, such as Duolingo, are a fantastic way to spend a pocketful of time.

For times when internet access is unreliable or nonexistent, offline tools can be a traveler’s best friend.  (I have mentioned that some countries are experiencing electricity cuts.)

Learn Key Phrases

I think one way you can show respect to the people of a different culture, especially in their home country, is to at least try to learn a little bit of the language right away.  It can be hard, but over the years and with many encounters, the locals notice and appreciate the effort to communicate in the language of wherever I am.  It shows I am interested in the culture and in the end, them.

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Survival Phrases

It is good to know basic phrases for greetings, finding a bathroom, getting a hotel, directions, ordering a meal, and hopefully it will not be needed, but an emergency.  When deciding which phrases are important to learn, think about what you need to know.  If you need a coffee first thing every day, make sure you can order it!

Language Programs

Start a course.  Whether that being an online course or a book, however you learn easier, and study.   When you are able to communicate, even a little, it really boosts your motivation.  And soon studying becomes a fun habit!

Practice

I believe in tutors.  It makes me accountable for one thing.  Next, since I was an English tutor, I know the value of having someone structure a lesson which will help me improve.  

Lessons are based on my goals.  If I am a beginner or more advanced, there will always be pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and conversational practice to work on. Practice with.  It takes a while to get used to yourself speaking in another language.  If you do it frequently enough, you will lose some of your inhibitions while doing so.

There are language exchanges but I find that sometimes they are not as helpful as a tutor.  A tutor has a lesson planned for you.  And with an exchange, sometimes you end up speaking the language you are comfortable in.  If one person is more proficient in both languages, then the conversation may drift towards the comfortable language (which may not be the one you are studying.)  It is not balanced in my opinion, unless there are clear guidelines between the two people.

italki

italki has a great platform for getting a tutor.

  • Personalized lessons:  The lessons are made for you, your goals, level, and interests.
  • Affordable and flexible pricing:  There are many tutors to choose from and a range of prices for each class.  Pay per lesson.
  • Real conversations:  This is the best.  With italki start speaking with native speakers from day one.
  • Convenient scheduling: Schedule lessons when they fit into your day, no matter where you are
  • Cultural insights: Learn different accents and dialects by choosing tutors from around the world.
  • Accountability and Motivation:Stay motivated with regular lessons that keep you on track.  
learning languages itravelthere

Overcoming the Awkwardness

I understand the complete embarrassment and few you could feel, especially as an adult, when trying to learn a language.  I have been there and I have tried every strategy I can say.

First off, don’t compare yourself to others when learning a language.  Challenge yourself and your goal is to be able to communicate!

Second, don’t worry about making mistakes.  No need to think you can’t speak until you speak perfectly. Just speak.  Many people have laughed at me and my pronunciation when I am learning or speaking a new language.  I always think that this person mocking has never tried to learn a new language, and if they have, they would know how it is to have the shoe on the other foot.

Third, motivation can only last so long so transform that into a habit.  Consistency is key and practicing every day can make a HUGE difference.

And lastly, repetitions work best for me.  I write a phrase ten times and I repeat it ten times.  I find this works a lot.  Listen over and over to the same phrases.  Repetition.

Keeping Your Brain Active

As I reflect on my language learning journey, and as I get older, I believe the studies that learning a language has significant cognitive benefits.  Isn’t it ironic how we go through life with different reasons for learning a language, to communicate, to socialize, and now I aim to keep my brain healthy!  I want to keep my memory, focus, and problem-solving skills agile!  

FAQs

Q:  Is it too late to learn a new language as an adult?

A:  Please don’t think that!  While it might feel harder to learn a new language as we get older, adults bring valuable life experiences and learning strategies to the table. Plus, modern tools like apps, online courses, and personalized lessons can speed up the process.

Q:  What are the best language-learning tools for beginners?

A:  It depends on your learning style.  Some great resources include Duolingo for app-based learning, italki for personalized tutoring, and YouTube channels focused on language lessons. Flashcards and podcasts are also great for on-the-go learning.

Q:  What’s the easiest language for English speakers to learn?

A:  Languages like Spanish, French, and Italian are often considered easier for English speakers because they share similar roots, vocabulary, and grammar structures. However, it really depends on your interests and motivation!

Q:  Is it necessary to travel to another country to learn a language?

A:  While immersion is ideal, it’s not necessary. Thanks to technology, you can connect with native speakers through platforms like italki, watch foreign films, and practice speaking out loud, all from the comfort of your home.

If you enjoyed this, please save one of these pins to your favorite travel boards on Pinterest. These tips might come in handy someday!

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