This question is purely hypothetical. When trying to plan out a legitimate spring break plan, I decided that I might not want to go to countries where I don't know the language (such as Mexico), just because I'd be afraid that something were to happen and I wouldn't be able to speak the native language of that country. Then again, I"ve heard that in tourist areas, most workers and people KNOW English and other languages that would help accommodate tourists.
Have you ever vacationed in a place where you don't know the country's language? How did you get by? Did you buy a phrase book from Barnes & Noble and find that you were OK with just that limited amount of knowledge? Or did most people speak English?
In general, is it a bad idea (like I feel like it is) to vacation in a country where you don't know the language?
[question posted by maezee]
responses and comments:
No, in fact never for lack of enough money.O(n_n)O I have a dream that I can start a travel to some countries in Europe thouth I just have a good konwledge of Chinese. Foutunately, I am learning English and there are so many countries where people can speak English. Although I can't be able to speak the native languages of these countries, but English is enough for me. So, English is enough for our vacation in a country we don't konw their native language. [getbrowser]
You will not have much problems in many countries if you know English. Most people understand some, or know someone who does. Itīs not a bad idea to buy those booklets with the most common sentences in both languages. I donīt have the language barrier in Mexico as my native language is also Spanish. But mexicans are one of the warmest people I ever met. They are helpful a lot more than you would expect. So uif your goal is Mexico, by all mean go. Ciudad de Mexico is the most incredible city. You can see anything you like: itīs all there. Happy posting!happy [marguicha]
On the contrary, I have always felt that holidaying in a country where you don't know the local language can add to the sense of adventure. To me, adventure is a an essential part of any holiday. I eat things I don't normally eat, I see things I don't normally see, I wear things I don't normally wear, and I also communicate in ways that I don't usually do. I spent nearly 10 days once in a remote village in India - they didn't know what I was saying, and I didn't know what they were saying. But you know what, we got along just fine. And that was one of the most fun trips I have ever had. I guess that's my idea of adventure :) [JAG2009]
I haven't done this before but i have travelled in places that people know a little bit in english. and your right about the most frequent places people who usually lives or work there know somehow to speak or understand english. i guess it would be very difficult to travel in a place where you can't really communicate with the people around you. the only way is through sign and body language it's like playing charade all through out your trip [tulog09]
i would rather travel to a country where i know the language so i can understand the people there. it is difficult to appreciate the different locations of the place if you have a language barrier to the people who live there. [m2ponce]
I don't think it is a hindrance to have a vacation to a place where their language is not your mother tongue. I think English is widely spoken to most places and I'm sure they will understand and it is not hardly spoken. [irefed]
My mother tongue language is English and have found that many people in the world speak that language. It might be there second or third language but lots of them a good to speaking that language. I am an experienced traveler. At the back of my travel guide book there is a language section. I use that to help me speak some of the local language. I had so much fun trying out Spanish in Guatemala I wanted to start learning that excellent language. I did a course in it and really enjoyed it. I went to Hungary in 1990. I had much difficulty with the language barrier. I met an Australian lady that was fluent in German. That is a helpful language to know when traveling in Eastern Europe. In 2003 I visited Montenegro and the bus timetable I couldn't work out because of the script it was in. The people did speak English there. In 2006 I went to Bulgaria where I had the most challenging time with the language. The script there looked like Russian. I had a misunderstanding booking a train and finding my way. I love traveling. [maximax8]
if i had the choice, i would rather not. but if the trip is a prize and it is available to me for free, i would jump in at the first opportunity! happy. it would surely be difficult not knowing there language, but i can do my own research. english is international language so i am sure, there would be someone out there who can communicate with me in english; otherwise, a friendly smile or gesture would do the "trick" to portray an image of a "good-abiding" tourist.happy [moneymakingtoday]
(on 3rd line above, "there" should correctly read as "their". sorry for the inadvertence.) [moneymakingtoday]
I would still go but make sure that I brought a book on the basics of the language so I would know some of it before I arrived. [SuzyLong]
I haven't tried to have a vacation in other countries which I don't know their native language. I would love to try..but I don't want to be alone of course since I don't want to be lost in that place. I think it would be great to meet new people and new places and new language as well... [joannaleed]
Many times. I have even lived and worked in countries where I did not speak the language when I arrived for the first time. It encourages you to learn to speak other languageshappy. That way my German has gone from very limited to nearly fluent, my Dutch from non-existent to quite competent. I even met my wife (at a university conference in Bangkok) in a country where I cannot even read the language, and can only manage to speak 20 or so phrasesshocked. The marriage is very successful (to the surprise of many members of my family, who are not as open-minded as I am) incidentally. Tourists usually do not go off the beaten track much, and in tourist areas English tends to be the first Foreign Language spoken, so problems with communication are quite rare. Patience is though sometimes required. I recall in Italy a few years ago ordering a hamburger (when I used to eat hamburgers - these days I won't), only to be served a sambuca (a type of drink if you have not encountered it before). [astonysh]
No, not at all. me and my hubby been all over the place, including South Korea. Which is both of us don't understand anything about Korean Language. hahahaha. Anyway there's always the sign language, and we all agree that we like Korean food. [ibuemma]
Yes we did, we travel to China last July and we don't even know how to speak or understand Chinese, it is funny though. If they cannot understand English, action speaks louder than swords! lol! [ryheanne]
I mean words! As of now we are living here in Korea. [ryheanne]
Hi maezee, of course I would, they are often the most interesting places to see different cultures. As you rightly say most people wanting to encourage tourism can muster a smattering of Engliish if you need it, as it helps them whilst trying to sell you things. Go armed with a phrase book and learn the basic greetings, please, thank you.water, toilet. You will get far with a smile and gesticulations. Off the beaten track directions can be understood if asked with a smile, name of required place, and a please. [thea09]
Why not maezee, it is always fun to travel the world but it wont stop even if you dont know the language, because you can still get some normal help like you can carry a small handy dictionary with you, or you always get some guides who knows both your language as well as the country's language, but you got to choose them well.If you are smart enough you can still enjoy the country :) [Archie0]
I don't think it is a bad idea to travel in a place where you don't know the language though I would hate to try his. there are some people who are talented at language though they don't know the local language but unluckily I am not. To misunderatnd people is a big mistake for me though they say tha over 50% of our communication is conveyed through body language. [magic9]
mostly if not ,people tend to understand or speak english ,so planning visiting a country who i dont know the language or they can't speak english might be an adventure for me. . . .guess what!-sign language will do.,perhaps [ericksonne]
I haven't been to one, but I'd probably consider it, as long as English is it's second language and I'd probably just tour around the country's city capital first. And yes, It would probably be easier if the street signs are in English and/or readable :) [kara18]
I really don't mind going to a place where I do not know the language. I think there are still ways to communicate. I will just buy a dictionary maybe to help me learn the basics of that language. [wookieekyut]
happyhello maezee, I don't. even in my own country i don't visit places that i don't understand the dialec, in my case it can be dangerous and it might lead to scheming and scamming me. or better yet, something not really nice and could have me killed. if am going to another place i should have a company that some one that understands the language.happyhappy [LetranKnight25]
i never been to any place/country of which i didn't know the regional language but if i had a chance to visit such place then i would probably not because it's just meaning less to visit such place where people can't understand your words and what you mean...? [rahulrocks123]
Not a vacation, but a working trip. I went to Indonesia for some official business and some R&R. My host was kind enough to deal with business first and then acted as tour guide afterwards. The funny thing was my host was German, and I look Asian. So everytime we met somebody, they would start talking to me. And then this big German guy would start talking Bahasa to them. I was at their mercy. But it all turned out good. [bounce58]
It's more fun that way! :) Actually, in reality even if you go to a country where they don't speak English as their first language, people who speak English can generally be found in more touristy areas. I got a phrasebook so I could be a little more self sufficient and could veer off the beaten path, and it came in handy a lot of the time. Other than that, if you're there for a little while you will pick things up, and if all else fails, gesturing wildly can help (as well as get a few laughs). I've never had any really serious issues. [breepeace]
Sure, why not ? Once you can get around and do all the things you want to do it doesn't seem to be much of a problem. You're not living there, you're just on vacation. You might need a little book with the simple conversations people there use, though. [Bluepatch]
Yes, because language isn't the factor I consider when I want to choose a vacation place. I mainly look at the culture, attraction and the wheather, so the language really doesn't matter. Although it is a little inconvenient if you are totally ignorant about the language, but I would make sure that I learn some important phrases and sentence beforehand to make my trip easier. But mostly, I would assume that hopefully they will provide translation survices, or be able to communicate with English, or just bring a friend along who can speak the language. [AmuletGirl]
Absolutely - I have before and I will again! I think that it is worth visiting anywhere you can possibly go in this world, whenever you get the opportunity. Most places I've visited where I don't know the language, I made sure to try to speak as much as I could pick up, and natives were usually more than pleasant and happy to help. There's also something to be gained from going to a place where people do not speak English. It really opens your eyes to the fact that the Western world is not the be all end all, and there is a whole other side to things that most of us never stop to even consider. [theweerouss]
That would be bomb. Then it would suck because you don't know what there saying. Especially if your like a person who cares about what everybody thinks I don't think you should do that. The reason why is because they might talk about you or something and you don't know what they said. I am one of those people who don't care. So I would go just to have fun! Than it would be a good experience just to go maybe you might even learn there language. [Melbee11]
I definitely would vacation in a country even though I don't know the language. I would also try to learn basic phrases before my travel date. I think most people appreciate when tourists make the effort to learn their language. And yes, I think most tourist areas know English, French or Spanish. [realan]
The apprehension is understandable. But if our native language is English, we will be surprised that it is spoken in many parts of the world in different degrees. I have had the opportunity to travel to different countries in Asia and Europe (one of these days to US too, I hope)and communication has not been a problem, I always find people who can communicate in English. Not being able to speak the host's country's language can actually add more fun to our vacation. Cheers maezee! [manong05]
Just A Bible is enough.haha A joke,please don't mind. well,I think,english can make it.On the other hand,knowing nothing about the native language is a good chance to touch the city by yourself,if you have enough courage.haha OK,money is the first one. [captainodie]
If I am,I would hire a local guide,and I will also buy a map,if you go to a strange place,please do not be taken to the remote areas,especially girls,perhaps you may be cheated.by the way,when you arrive a conutry where you donot know the country' language,you'd better know the local customs and practices.In India,the locals do not eat beef,if you eat ,they will think you insult them. [thebest1988]
I don't think its a bad idea. You should proboly at least learn general terms before you go. But no its not a bad idea. I'd bring a book of translations though, so that if I need to talk to someone I can communicate without having to talk in sign language lol. [zeromidget2669]
yeah i would because a vacation is to get away weather you know the language or not. and some of the ppl where you go know english and stuff so u could just ask them what that means or what he asked you [catiebaby12346]
I have been to a quite a few countries where I don't speak the language, and it is not always easy, but I see it as a challenge. I always buy a dictionary and a phrasebook. Phrasebooks are great if I want to ask a question or something like that, but I also need a dictonary so that I can look up the words for instanse if there is a sign that I don't understand. I have always managed to communicate with people in one way or another. If the phrasebook doesn't work I use the sign language or drawings, I have learned to be a little creative lol [Porcospino]
Off the beaten path it might be difficult to vacation in countries where you don't know the language, but the tourist areas will be all right. But it never hurts to try to learn some phrases that might come in handy and the natives will probably appreciate your efforts. [6precious102]
Interesting discussion! I actually don't mind visiting those countries, but ONLY WITH A GUIDE! Lol. Otherwise I wouldn't risk it. What if you got lost, and you can't ask the people or read the direction (in case the alphabet is different as well, like in japan etc). That would be a horrible experience! [alwayzzcitra]
i would love traveling to places especially in some other countries, even though they have different languages i love hearing and listening to the tones of their languages, i think that even if you are traveling to places which has a different language, there are still people there who knows how to speak english because it is the international language. [xannebull]
I think you should try to have a good idea of what certain words mean before you go over to a different country. There are parts of the united states like china town and other places that only speak a certain language as well. We went to london my freshman year of highschool and even though it was english it was a different english than what most of us were used to so we still had a lot to learn about the language over there even though english was considered the main language. i think its challenging but very educational at the same time. [crysontherocks77]