Tips to a place whose language is Not Yours
What do you do when visiting or are in the area whose language is not mastered. For a traveler, not a matter of language barriers. With a number of tips, the adventurers can visit places whose language they do not understand and gain valuable experience. A number of community members Fodors.com share their tips below. Hopefully useful to you.
1. Bring cheat sheet of paper.
"I usually carry an index card (or write a list on the back cover of your dictionary or handbook), the words that I would normally see on a marker board, especially words that are opposites, such as: entry-exit, top-down; out- entrance; push-pull; wait-go. " (From kayd)
2. Back to school
"Sign up to language courses at language institutions in your area. I learn Italian for 9 months in my area several years ago and learned so many things. Then, you can continue to listen to tapes. The course will help you understand grammar and how form a sentence. " (From Grassshopper)
3. Always smiling
"Remember that a smile is always understood in all languages. Many people (especially young people) can speak English, and would be happy to try to talk to you in English if you try to use the words please and thank you in the local language." (From Iowa_Redhead)
4. Master the basic phrases
"I always tried to understand 50-100 words in the language of the country which I will visit. Especially phrases like 'in which ...',' please ...', 'thank you', 'sorry, I'm not good at Jump ...'." (From daveesl)
5. Eat at local restaurants
"For some foods, avoid restaurants that use two languages ??because it is usually a trap for tourists who are not only offers delicious food at a great price. Find someone who can interpret the menu for you, and you'll get better food and more authentic. " (From nytraveler)
6. Do not hesitate to ask for help
"I also know how to say 'What do you call here, or how you say it in ...' so I can point to something and local people will teach me new vocabulary. I also say 'please write to me', ask someone write a new word. " (From Suze)
7. Make learning the language so your travel destination.
"Fighting a few years in night school once a week, and finally gave up the foreign language learning. Intensive two-week trip really opened my eyes. I did not make a big step in the 'formal learning'. However, after a few days, I no longer nervous when speaking in that language. For me, this is a tremendous progress. " (From willit).