How To Overcome Language Barriers While Traveling

How To Overcome Language Barriers While Traveling

When you are traveling to a foreign country it can be both exciting and nerve racking. Experiencing a new culture is a great learning experience but also comes with a couple of difficulties. If you don’t know the language it can be hard to find places, read signs and menus, buy things, and interact with locals. Here are a few tips on how you can break down the language barrier while traveling.

Learn Important Phrases

If you don’t speak the language the best thing you can do to prepare is to learn key phrases that will help you out when you are in another country. Learn how to say things such as asking for directions, how much something costs, do you speak english, hello, goodbye, yes, no etc. to be able to interact with people. Often times, locals will be more than happy to help you out if you are at least trying to speak and understand their language and important phrases aren’t hard to learn if you are on a time crunch before your trip.

Language Apps or Books

There are a variety of language apps that you can download and have handy if you don’t know how to ask something or someone is finding it hard to understand you and vice versa. You can type in phrases, translate what someone is saying, as well as have the apps speak what you are trying to say for you. Of course, not everything is perfect so it might not come out perfectly but they will be able to get a general sense of what you are trying to say and help you with your question. In addition, a language dictionary is also a great resource to show people what you are trying to say or help explain what you are talking about. They have pocket ones that are easy to carry and really come in handy.

Strike Up Conversation

The only way you will start grasping a language is if you are speaking it and practicing it in your daily life. Don’t be afraid to strike up conversations with native speakers even if you know you will stumble over pronunciations and finding words sometimes. More often than not, native speakers will be happy to speak to you and see that you are trying to speak their language as well as help you out if you misspeak or teach you new useful phrases.

Travel Destination: Boston

The city of Boston is an exciting and history city. Situated on Massachusetts Bay, the city has a fine natural harbor and a compact center filled with reminders of the city’s role in the American Revolution.

Boston is nicknamed ‘the walking city’ and the best way to see it is by following the Freedom Trail. It officially starts at Boston Common, America’s oldest city park, and takes you throughout the city to 16 important sites. The highlights of the walk include The State House, with its gleaming gold dome, the Bunker Hill Monument and the Granary Burying Ground, the final resting place of Samuel Adams and Paul Revere. Another popular stop is the USS Constitution, the world’s oldest commissioned naval vessel.

Behind the historic Faneuil Hall you will find Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall Market, two of the city’s most popular places to eat and hang out. Don’t leave Boston without sampling the seafood chowder or freshly-caught fish here or at one of the many restaurants by Boston Harbor.