T R AV E L
Nine Things to Do When
No One Speaks English
Y
ou've always gotten by with your high school
French or Spanish overseas, but what if you're in
a place so remote no one speaks anything but the
local language and you haven't taken the time to learn
more than "hello" and "thank you"? English is a common
second language in many countries, particularly those
that see lots of tourists or international businesspeople.
But go off the beaten track, and English speakers aren't
as easy to find. In the jungles of Ecuador you'd be hard
pressed to find anyone who spoke anything other than
Spanish. What if you're in rural China or Russia, or even
a major city in Asia like Tokyo that has very few signs in
English?
Below are nine tips that can help.
1. Don't panic.
Logic and composure are your best friends. You might
fret if it's getting late and you can't find an ATM or your
hotel. Don't worry; eventually someone will help. Stay
positive.
2. Write it down.
Before you leave for the day, ask the front desk or concierge to write down the name of your hotel in the local
language, or get a business card with the hotel's details
on it. That way if you get lost, anyone can point you in
the right direction, and a taxi (your safest bet at night)
will return you to the front door in a heartbeat.
3. Get an app.
If you'll be using your smartphone abroad, download a
translation app. Our favorite is Google Translate, which
covers dozens of languages. You can have a local speak
into the phone or point your camera at written text, and
the app will translate it into English for you. The app will
work offline if there's no 4G or Wi-Fi available. It's free
for iPhone and Android.
4. Buy a phrasebook.
Remember that your smartphone may not work everywhere in the world -- and if your battery dies, you may
need a backup plan. If you're headed to a place where
power is limited and English speakers are hard to find,
it's worth investing in a phrasebook. Even if you can't
pronounce the words, you can show a local the page of
the book with the phrase you're trying to convey. Many
guidebooks also have a list of common words if you
don't want to carry a separate phrasebook.
5. Go to a hotel.
Wherever you are, look for the nearest lodging, preferably a luxury or business hotel (which will be most accustomed to international guests). Hotels almost always
have a person on staff that can speak English or will find
someone for you who can. In the worst case, you can
rest in the lobby and gather your thoughts.
6. Find a tourist office.
As with hotels, tourist offices are used to interacting with
international visitors and will likely have multilingual people on staff.
7. Look for familiar franchises.
IndependentTraveler.com Editor at Large Dori Saltzman
offers an unexpected tip: "Go to McDonald's or another
chain that you recognize from home. Because these
places attract Americans, the staff often will know a little English -- and even if they don't, some of the diners
might."
8. Look for young people.
IndependentTraveler.com Senior Editor Sarah Schlichter recommends reaching out to younger locals: "I've
found that people in their 20s tend to be more likely to
remember the English they studied in school than older
folks who haven't practiced their second language in a
few decades."
9. Draw a picture or sign it out.
Hand gestures, sketches or even just pointing to a map
can all get your point across if words fail. Be careful,
though; seemingly innocent hand gestures in your own
culture could prove offensive elsewhere in the world. We
recommend reading up on taboos and hand gestures
before your trip at guide.CultureCrossing.net.
The main thing to remember is that people worldwide
are generally helpful. Remember your charades and try
to act out what you need. If nothing else, it will give the
locals a good laugh, and when they are laughing they
will be more inclined to help.
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