The Problem With ‘Do you Speak English?’ (And an Easy Solution)
Travel Blog • Jim Benning • 05.06.08 | 12:27 PM ET
Travel Channel show host Samantha Brown doled out some travel advice in Sunday’s San Francisco Chronicle, and I thought this simple observation about language barriers was particularly astute: Americans’ tendency to ask “Do you speak English?” with little introduction when they’re overseas, puts distance between them and their hosts.
She told the Chronicle: “When you do that, you’re making someone feel like ‘I’m stupid. I don’t know English.’”
Her tip to avoid that? “All you say is ‘No Spanish. Do you speak English?’ You’ve created a connection. ‘I’m in your country and I don’t expect you to know my language.’”
Of course, the best solution is to learn how to say this in Spanish, or whatever the local language—learning a few simple phrases doesn’t take more than a few minutes and can be good fun, too.
But I’ve encountered plenty of fellow Americans in my travels who just don’t bother to take the time to do this. And for them, Brown’s advice should help.
Related on World Hum:
* Can I Have a Meaningful Travel Experience Abroad if I Don’t Speak the Language?
* Lust in Translation
Related on TravelChannel.com:
* Samantha Brown
Photo by frech via Flickr, (Creative Commons).
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Jim Benning is the editor and co-founder of World Hum.
Cheryn Flanagan 05.06.08 | 5:29 PM ET
Learning a few basic words and expressions is fun, and aside from experimenting with unfamiliar food and using exotic currency, it’s one of my favorite things about travel. I usually can reasonably say ‘hello’, ‘thank you’, and ‘a beer, please’. For a brief visit in a totally foreign country, it’s hard to master much more than the basic formalities, unfortunately.
I find a combo of smiling, miming, and pointing to be a good way of communicating. Check out the books on http://www.menospeak.com, which use pictures to help you over the language barrier.
Shane 05.06.08 | 5:55 PM ET
I agree with Cheryn on the smiling, miming and pointing part. I’ve become somewhat of an expert at that in Tokyo!
I know a few phrases and a number of Japanese words which get me by but whenever I start to ask a question in Japan I always start with “Excuse me, my Japanese is bad…I’m sorry” and I find that people are usually very kind and try very hard to help.
I’ve always been a believer in what Samantha said in her article (when in Rome…) and am often embarrassed when friends or visitors act like people should speak English to them.
Shane Sakata
The Tokyo Traveler
http://www.thetokyotraveler.com
Jim Benning 05.07.08 | 12:35 AM ET
Thanks for including the menospeak link, Cheryn—a good reminder that speaking is not the only way to communicate.
I’m sure you get plenty of practice in Tokyo, Shane.
Ling 05.07.08 | 8:07 AM ET
Well, you could always try just saying wht you wnt in English, and if you’re met by a blank stare, then you have your answer…
Family Travel Girl 05.11.08 | 10:35 PM ET
This might be cheating, but when in France, I ask my tween son (who speaks some French) do the talking for our family. We have found the French people to be very kind and open to speaking to a young man who is obviously putting forth a great effort to communicate with them in their own language. Smiles are given freely and my son gains valuable experience as a young traveler! Bon Jour!
FamilyTravelGirl http://www.familytravelgirl.com
Fernando 06.26.08 | 12:30 PM ET
Very nice.
In Brazil, the foreigns think everybody here speaks english, and Itīs not true. Of course the english is the most important language in the world, but thereīre a lot of people that doesnīt follow it.
But thinking otherway, this is a verygood way to make them learn another things. I liked the idea!