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Leaping the Language Barrier

English is now Europe's universal second language and that pesky language barrier is little more than a road turtle. But it survives and rudimentary communication skills in the local language is both fun and helpful. Any favorite language tapes or classes, or tricks for communicating abroad?

I want to add my comments! 

Language Barrier
Definitely try to learn a little of the language. I studied Italian for four months with the "Italian in 10 minutes a Day" CDs. Very worth while. I had people giving me free homemade wine and gifts from their shops. I was asked by one shop owner to make sure I come back to visit next year. The Italians are friendly, generous people, especially to Americanos.Speaking the basics really helps. They don't all know English and it isn't spoken everywhere. Prepare, it is worth it. I plan to become fluent. How fun.
J McDonald
Port Orchard, WA   USA   09/25/2008

Try to learn some of the language!
While in Sicily, I heard repeated complaints about Americans who demanded that people speak English with them. From what I was told, this was not an uncommon occurrence not just in Sicily, but in other countries. I did my best to learn Italian and to speak it when I could- and the locals rewarded my efforts with smiles and laughter whenever I got it right (we got along GREAT!) Even an effort to learn and speak the language is greatly appreciated- and those who were multilingual (Sicilian, Italian, English and others) encouraged me to learn Italian, especially since I plan to return next summer.

Most especially, learn the polite phrases (Please, Thank you, etc.). After all, you're a guest in a foreign nation!!!
Bob
Lakeland, Fl   USA   07/17/2008

Expect to be answered in-kind
I figured out how to ask, "Where is Schottentor?" in German. So, when I asked a group of students on the tram, they answered me in German. Seeing my confusion, one of them said, in English, "It's the next stop." I thanked him in English AND German.

Not really learning from the experience, I figured out how to ask for a German-language copy of The Hobbit. The first bookstore clerk corrected my preposition usage. She indicated she didn't have the book by shaking her head and shrugging. The next bookstore, I used my newly-corrected version of the question and was answered in German. I explained that I didn't know any other German other than that question. When I was answered in German in the third bookstore, I had that same confused-look on my face that I'd had on the tram. The clerk simply said in English, "Downstairs." So much for learning a few phrases in the local language :-)
Charlotte
Vermillion, SD   USA   07/12/2008

Take the time to learn some of the language before traveling...it's WELL worth it!
I have traveled all over Europe and sometimes I've learned some of the language and sometimes I haven't. BUT when I've been able to communicate even just a little with the natives, it has made my experience awesome!!

I love to travel to small, out-of-the-way spots and it really helps out to know even just a little of the language because many of the people speak no English. The best course I've found to help me learn another language is Pimsleur http://www.pimsleurmethod.com The other spot that is great is http://www.speakalanguage.com

Taking a little time to learn some of the language before you travel will make your trip all the more enjoyable. And the people will love you! I got a free breakfast in Portugal once because I spoke some Portuguese with the owner of a B&B.
USA   05/29/2008

Easing into English
Even in countries where most people speak English (Scandinavia, Netherlands), I found that people appreciated my asking if they spoke English *in their native language.* For one thing, it helps them get mentally prepared for speaking English, which they may not speak very often.
Karen Sandness
Minneapolis, MN   USA   05/25/2008

Simple Emails
Just a word to those who use email to make B & B reservations etc. in other countries. I know Rick often states in his guidebooks that certain proprietors speak English. This does not mean that they are fluent! Please keep your words and sentences simple and to the point. Our hostess in Salzburg had to ask those of us at breakfast to help her with an email that used the word approximately and she certainly spoke better English than I do German. Think about the kinds a simple sentences you can put together from your high school or college foreign language and use that as you guide.
Lisa
Milford, NE   USA   03/15/2008

World Language Conversation Groups Help
Helpful world language groups meet every week in Seattle. They are a great and free way to practice your European language(s). The groups also have resources to help you in between their friendly conversation sessions. For details see:

http://language.stammtisch.us

Other towns have other language groups.
Paul <email>
Seattle, WA   USA   01/31/2008

Re: online translators...
Just a note on online translators: they are good to get a general idea of what a text is saying, but never try to translate English into another language with them. It is almost always choppy and doesn't make any sense. As far as travel goes, learning a few choice sentences from a phrase book would be a lot more useful. :) Never pretend to be more proficient at a language than you are, because it will almost inevitably come back to haunt you.
J
New York, NY   USA   01/25/2008

Learn language basics for free
After trying to learn a little bit of some other languages for free, my best suggestions are http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages

and also, if you have an iPod, search for free podcasts. What I enjoy most about the iPod is that I have it set up to play in my car so that I can practice the language while I'm driving. I spend an hour a day driving to school five days a week. That's a lot of time that can be devoted to a language.
USA   12/28/2007

LEARNING ANOTHER LANGUAGE OPENS FAR MORE DOORS
I was born in France and lived and worked in 5 countries. I speak three languages from French to Latin American Spanish to English. I also, EACH TIME, got a phrase book to some countries that did not speak those languages as a first language and, I GOT A LOT more commercial and services oportunities than if I would have used English alone. A language is not just how you express yourself but how you thik and do business and commercial selling/buying of specialities goods and services of each counry. COME ON, get a phrase book and go for it...You will be AMAZED of how many more doors will open,than speaking English only which, if it is not the first language of the country you are in, will be very limiting in opportunities of social and commercial wonders later on.
Pascal Henri Gillon-Mourey <email>
Los Angeles, ca   USA   12/09/2007

Online Translator
I just found a fantastic tool for translation.

http://translate.google.com/

You can translate web sites or plain text.

I received a detailed email from a Hostal in Spain and plugged it into the translator. It was fantastic!!!

I even wrote a letter back into the translator and translated the text back to Spanish for an easy cut and paste.

Please check it out. Google has created another amazing and extremely helpful tool once again.

Please keep in mind, that computer programs are never perfect. They sometimes translate city names. Los Angeles may show up as The Angels.
Mauri <email>
Pismo Beach, CA   USA   11/14/2007

learn a few words of the language
I agree anything is better than nothing! I speak French, but most French want to speak English with me. I, however, got yelled at in Germany at a major train station for not speaking German, and was yelled at in Greece for not speaking Greek. I now make sure I ask in their language if they speak English and learn to say please and thank you!
Maia <email>
Chapel Hill, NC   USA   10/28/2007

Anything IS better then nothing
I speak Spanish a little, and French even less, and hardly any German, and almost no Dutch. (Roughly proportionate to the holidays I've spent in each country). I wouldn't dream of visiting a country without at least learning "Hello" "Goodbye" "Please" and "Thank you". But what little I DO speak shows, I hope, that I don't assume that people in other countries should meet me 100% of the way. I'm not trying to "impress" anyone, just to show I don't regard the rest of the world as being at my beck and call.

When I'm in Spain, I don't assume that the person I'm talking to speaks English, so I speak Spanish. If they turn out to speak better English than I do Spanish, I'm not at all surprised (but they are usually surprised that an Englishman speaks ANY Spanish other than "cerveza", sadly).
Chris Jones <email>
Sheffield, Yorks   USA   10/19/2007

Re: valuable French phrase
There are still a lot of urban legends in North America re: languages. Dear American/Canadian friends, this the 21st Century, and shop assistants/waiters in touristy places are supposed to be multilingual to accommodate the increasing number of foreign tourists in Europe. Let's put it this way: Either you speak French, or you don't. Practice your high school French if you can. But if you never learned the language before, no big deal. You won't impress anyone by uttering a heavily accented "bonjour" or "merci" in Paris, except maybe your mom or your girlfriend. Do you think that the hundreds thousands of Dutch, Germans, Spanish, Italians, Russians, etc. who visit France do all speak fluent French? Do you think they actually run into trouble because they don't? Nope. Here, in Copenhagen, when French tourists interact with the locals, they automatically do it in English, without even asking. No "excusez-moi de vous déranger", nothing of that kind. BTW, I am a native French-speaker, and I might have used that phrase maybe twice in my entire life!!! Having said that, bon voyage!
Alex
Copenhagen, Denmark   09/27/2007

Valuable French Phrase
To quote Polly Pratt (an American author who lives and established a company in France) from her book "French or Foe?" - 'The 5 Magic Words is possibly the most important phrase in the French language': "Excusez-moi de vous deranger, monsieur (or madame)..." ("Excuse me for disturbing you, Sir, or Madam..."). 'Add 5 more Magic Words after those - "...mais J'ai un probleme" (" but I have a problem"), you qualify as a person to be respected and helped to the very limit of the Frenchman's possibilities.' If you're interested in understanding the French, I highly recommend this book and her other - "Savoir Flair! - 211 Tips for Enjoying France and the French". Both can be bought online at Amazon.com. Of course, a simple greeting of "Bonjour Monsieur or Madame" will assist anytime.
Gord Hartney <email>
Vancouver, BC   USA   09/03/2007

free audio italian lessons
I'm having fun preparing for our next trip to Italy with an on-line podcast called My Daily Phrase Italian. http://coffeebreakspanish.typepad.com/mydailyphraseitalian/

3 to 5 minute lessons, free MP3 downloads. I don't have an MP3 player, so I learned to burn these files onto a CD.
John Daab
Woodstock, IL   USA   07/22/2007

Learning the basic terms of politeness, please, thank you etc is essential for travel in any european country. I also purchase a travellers phrasebook, and memorize key phrases. I do like Rick's books. About 2 or three months before I go I listen to Language CD's. I know I will never be fluent, but that is okay.
jeane
USA   07/07/2007

Just try to begin with the pleasantries in the local language
It's oft-repeated advice, but just beginning with a polite hello in the local language and an apologetic request if the clerk/serve speaks English goes a long way. I continue to be astonished by how many Americans just start off in English.

The French, by the way, are said to be the worst at refusing to use the local language...
Doug M
Portland, OR   USA   06/26/2007

Ten Minutes A Day Books
Steve, the 10 minutes a day books are the best! I have them in Italian,Spanish and German. They also put out a language map that I always have with me when I travel. Amazon carries them for much cheaper. Being a classical musician, I know musicial terms that is a great carry over for learning languages. In Italy,I often say, Poco Italiana. Little Italian. But when I carry around my language map, that really helps me get by. Learning some of the language is part of the fun traveling overseas!! Salute! Lisa
Lisa <email>
Austin, TX   USA   02/19/2007

A great language tip
Here's my best language tip: learn to say this (I apologize, but I do not speak _______. I speak some Spanish and much English. Can you tell me please where X is?) in the languages of where you are traveling. It's better if your apology is not perfectly phrased.

I have had great success with this approach (even if I had to read it off a card) in Spain, Portugal, France, and Morocco.

It even worked with old ladies carrying shopping bags on the streets of Paris.
Robert Sanford <email>
Portland, OR   USA   02/04/2007

Good language book
I travelled in Italy for 7 weeks in 2004. I was about 30 years beyond my high school French, so I had some (very rusty) Romance language background. I found the "Italian [French, German, ect.] in 10 Minutes a Day" book series very helpful. It is published by a local Seattle company. Get it (less than $30 or about $60 for one with audio tape) a month or more before your trip. Use it just a few minutes each day, and you will develop a several hundred word practical vocabulary which will enhance your trip and your interactions with locals. Especially useful are the included word stickers which you can put on everything in your house for constant feedback. It was hard to keep the stickers on il gatto e i bambini! P.S. I have no interest in this product except as a satisfied customer.
Steve
Seattle, WA   USA   01/04/2007