Traveling is among the best ways to get out of your comfort zone, meet new people, and create as many exciting memories as possible. Unfortunately, when planning trips, some travelers tend to avoid visiting non-English speaking countries for fear that the language barrier could ruin their vacation.
A survey has found that 10% of adults, which is equivalent to five million people, claim to avoid traveling abroad due to language barriers, while 15% are discouraged from touring due to the lack of knowledge about the country’s local language.
If you really want to escape from your comfort zone, you must be ready to travel to nations where English is not the local language. Although landing in a foreign country where you’re clueless about their language can be pretty overwhelming and intimidating, that shouldn’t stop you from visiting the place and seeing what it offers.
So, if you’re planning to visit a non-English country soon, here are some tips to help you overcome language barriers while traveling and ensure your experience abroad is enjoyable:
1- Learn Basic Words And Phrases In Advance
Normally, to guarantee that your vacation runs successfully, you would plan your trip a few weeks or months in advance. But aside from preparing your tickets and travel bags, you must also take time to learn the language of the foreign country you intend to visit. There’s no shortcut to learning a new language, so you should start with the basics.
For example, if you’re heading to Korea for your next vacation, you can check out some Korean-language learning websites like Hana Korean or other language schools that offer online courses. You could enroll in a few weekly classes to learn some phrases so you can converse with the locals when you get there.
Some of the words and phrases you must work on memorizing are:
• Hi
• Thank you
• Please
• My name is –
• Where is –
• How much is this?
• Do you speak English?
You must also memorize the following words or verbs linked to what you will do or where you will go in that country:
• Food/restaurant
• Water
• Hotel
• Car
• Bathroom
• Eat/buy/drink/sleep
If memorizing too many words is a struggle, you can write them down in a small notebook or buy a small phrasebook to bring with you and consult when you get stuck.
2- Master Basic Pronunciation Rules
After memorizing the basic words and phrases, another aspect you mustn’t overlook is mastering the pronunciation. Even if you think you said the word or the phrase right, if it’s mispronounced, the locals will still not understand what you’re trying to say.
So, while memorizing the words, you can also practice saying them out loud. You can watch video tutorials on how the words are properly spoken. You don’t need to master the pronunciations perfectly, but as long as you say it slowly and correctly, you and the locals can communicate just fine.
3- Make Use Of Technology
The good news about traveling in today’s generation is that you can use plenty of tools and apps to help you overcome language barriers. For instance, you can install a language translator app on your mobile phone, wherein you can type or say anything you’d like to say. Then, the app will translate the words through text or verbally, and the locals can either read or listen to them in their language.
If you’re traveling and aren’t sure if your destination has a decent internet connection, it may be best to install a language translator that can function offline. Most importantly, ensure that your chosen translator app has high accuracy and allows you to translate multiple languages so you can use it every time you travel to different foreign countries.
4- Bring A Language Dictionary
Although your translator app can be helpful, there may be instances wherein the phrases or words are inaccurately translated. This can happen, especially when there are words in foreign languages that have dual meanings. Furthermore, even if your translator app has a great rating for translation accuracy, you’ll still need a backup source in case your phone battery dies while you’re traveling. A language dictionary can help you in recalling words and prevent embarrassing mistranslations.
5- Prepare Pictures And Other Graphics
If the locals still don’t comprehend what you’re saying, your next backup tool is pictures. Graphics like photos, drawings, icons, or even emojis can be used to fill in language gaps that words alone can’t cover. For example, if you’re looking for a train station or a restaurant, show the locals images of those places so they can point you in the right direction.
6- Use Body Language
Aside from words and pictures, another way you can communicate is by using body language. However, remember that body language may vary in different countries or cultures, so do a little homework first. This way, if you want to say something but are unsure how to put it in the right words, you can use body language instead.
7- Make Friends With The Locals
One of the best strategies for overcoming language barriers is making friends with the locals. If you’re lucky enough to befriend someone who can easily understand you despite your communication difficulties, you can invite them to accompany you as you explore the country. They can teach you the local language as well. Surely, they’ll appreciate your efforts in trying to learn their language as it shows that you respect their culture.
8- Learn New Language Online
Traveling to a foreign country can be an exhilarating experience, but the lack of language skills can pose a significant challenge to effective communication and interaction. However, with language study online and the assistance of an online language tutor, you can easily overcome this obstacle. Engaging with an online tutor enables you to practice speaking the local language and receive instant feedback, thereby building your confidence and enhancing your language proficiency. Furthermore, you can learn essential phrases specific to your travel needs, such as ordering food, asking for directions, and negotiating prices. With this breakthrough in language study online, you can effectively break down the language barrier, interact with locals, and immerse yourself in the local culture for a more authentic travel experience.
Wrapping Up
Hopefully, these strategies can help you overcome language barriers and make communication easier during your travels. It’s a good idea to utilize technology as much as possible, but be sure you can still interact with the locals without it. So, on your next trip, remember to bring along a heart for the culture of the country you’re visiting. This way, learning their language won’t be as challenging, making your time there worthwhile.
