5 things to do when travelling to a country where they don't speak your language

kehinde omotosho

June 14, 2017 2:35 PM

As much as travelling and exploring the world is fun, it can be nerve-racking when communication becomes a big deal. Here's what you should do in such situations.

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Although international travelling is fun, it can, however, become a disaster when communication becomes a problem.

So, if you're heading to one of the none English speaking country, you really don't want to put yourself in a situation where you become stranded and stressed out. I mean, just because some parts of the world speak a language which is different from yours doesn't mean you should not explore those parts of the world. So, before embarking on such trips, here are a few tips to help you while there.

1. Learn the basics

Knowing a handful of usable words and phrases will get you a lot further than you can imagine. Simple words like “please”, “thank you” and “Do you speak English?” and other additional words like “Hello”, “Yes”, “No”, “Please”, “Goodbye”, “Where is…?”, “I’m lost,” and “Help” will definitely go a long way in putting you in a much more comfortable situation.

2. Use a translator app

Apps like the Google Translate and others might not be 100 percent accurate (I mean, it’ll be pretty obvious you’re using a translator) but it will certainly get the job done. And yeah, since they are offline apps, you don't have to worry about the internet because you won't be needing it to use the app.

3.Use hand gestures

Gesturing is often more efficient than trying to speak a language you’re not entirely comfortable with. So, you can actually try pointing at something that describes what you're talking about or making enquiries about.

4. Carry a notepad and pen.

Where hand gestures fail you, Illustrations won't. You can draw pictures, write numbers, draw maps, anything at all to convene your message.

5. Find people who want to practice their English on you.

If you’re looking for locals to speak English with, a great place to find them is by exploring a university campus (which is fun in itself). Bookshops also tend to be good places to find outgoing wanna-be English speakers.

Enjoy your trip!