Can I Have Meaningful Experiences Abroad if I Don’t Speak the Language?

11.06.07 | 7:31 AM ET

Dear Rolf,

I have traveled extensively in the United States and Canada, but I’ve always been a bit hesitant to travel in other parts of the world because my foreign language skills aren’t great. I studied Spanish a long time ago in high school, but functionally my only language is English. Is it possible for me to have meaningful travel experiences in foreign countries if I don’t speak the language?

—Lori, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Dear Lori,

I get this question a lot, and I always encourage people to travel, regardless of their language abilities. I should know, since I am not naturally good at languages myself—and had I waited to learn languages before I traveled abroad I never would have hit the road in the first place.

Fortunately for all of us who are slow at learning languages, a big advantage of 21st century travel is that English has become the lingua franca for much of the world. Even if you don’t always find fluent speakers in far-off lands, you can usually find locals (often students) who know a few phrases of English.

When speaking English to non-fluent listeners, remember that loudness is not what will make you understood. Rather, you should make an effort to speak slowly, simply and clearly. And, when listening to non-fluent English, be patient and try to figure out mispronounced words from the context of what is being said. Keep in mind that many people know English only from study dictionaries—not spoken and heard conversation—and thus might not know how to sound words correctly. Try to develop an ear for imperfect “Tarzan English”—and keep in mind that it’s probably much clearer than your “Tarzan” rendering of the local tongue. Compliment anyone brave (and helpful) enough to try his or her English on you, and try to develop a knack for cross-cultural small talk (which involves simple topics that everyone can relate to—such as family, food, hobbies and love-life/marital status).

Pocket language guides, which can be found in most any bookstore travel section, can also be good for cross-cultural communication.  At times you can have entire (albeit slow) conversations just by flipping through the pages of your phrasebook. And, regardless of your adeptness at picking up new languages, it’s never too hard to commit a few words and phrases of the local language to memory. Lazy afternoons or long bus rides are a good opportunity to begin your memorization. Good starting phrases include:  “Hello,” “please” and “thank you”; “yes” and “no”; the numbers 1-10, plus 100 and 1000; “How much?”; “Where is it?”; and “no problem!” Additional useful words to translate are “hotel,” “bus station,” “restaurant,” “toilet,” “good,” “bad” and “beer.” Any local idioms and slang you pick up will delight locals (just so long as you aren’t learning something profane or offensive).

And, of course, improvised sign language and face pulling can go a long way toward getting your point across. Regardless of whether you try verbal or visual communication, your efforts will invariably provoke lots of laughter—so be ready to laugh along!

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