Learning local languages

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Should you be expected to learn some of the local language as a traveller?

February 18th 2008 10:58

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I am a big fan of this topic, having experienced some horror English speaker stories abroad, that I strongly believe travellers should make an effort to learn some of the local languages when they visit a foreign country.

Just as we expect our visitors to speak English, it makes perfect sense, as a respect to the local cultures, to learn the local tongue. Start with hello, how are you and thank you and build on that vocabulary bit by bit, it will not only bring a smile to your hosts, it'll also start opening doors into the authentic local cultures.

Sometime last year I wrote a post on Travel String titled Sprechen Sie Deutsch?, a short article about the importance of learning the local language. I also mentioned that the biggest offenders with this issue were English speakers, mainly North Americans. It is a generalization, but I have my reasons.

What do you think?

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Comment by James Rickard

February 18th 2008 22:39

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There is one thing worse--those overseas telemarketers! True story--they called one time trying to drum up business for their "moth cages." (Mortgages)OR--how about if you call for support on something electronic, say your computer, and get someone speaking Hindu????

Comment by AmyHuang

February 18th 2008 22:58

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James - I agree, unfortunately mass outsourcing with companies is something we can't control

Comment by Tracy

February 18th 2008 23:09

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Hi Amy

I definitely think that if you're in a place for a while, then you could make an attempt to speak some of the language even if it's just the basics. I think it shows respect and locals usually appreciate it...or laugh, but at least you're trying! As you said, we expect that from travellers in Australia, so we could do the same. Plus, it's fun

Tracy

Comment by Cibbuano

February 19th 2008 01:58

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definitely learn a bit of the language. People in non-English speaking countries are incredibly pleased to see someone learn their language, especially if it's an English speaker, I think. We force our language on the world, forgetting how hard it is to pick up a second language...

Comment by D. Armenta

February 19th 2008 03:29

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I'm a North American who traveled throughout the Far East for years as a member of the U.S. Navy. We were not only given key phrases to learn for each country we visited, but were also indoctrinated about local customs. This was so we wouldn't accidentally offend someone, i.e. touch a Thai person on the head or shoulder, point a finger at or around people in the Philippines, or lose our tempers when pushed around in a crowd in Korea (everyone pushes).

Comment by AmyHuang

February 19th 2008 03:48

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Thanks Tracy and Cibbuano for your inputs

D.Armenta - I am glad to hear! Unfortunately the civilians don't always get the same kind of education....

Thanks for the insight!

Comment by Lilla

February 19th 2008 05:42

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ABSOLUTELY!

It has always been my pleasure to learn the local tongue... well except in France, where my pronounciation led to a few heated exchanges of universal sign language.

Whilst I lived in India for three years I learnt to speak Hindu almost fluently... I atleast understood things in a peripheral way, enough to know whether to accent or decline a VERY HOT curry *chuckle*... one soon learns that there really is no word for mild in the public restaurants and dobas of India ...

Comment by Always Eighteen

February 19th 2008 07:32

Always Eighteen

Yes, I think you should definitely learn a bit of the language. It just goes to show the residents of the other culture that you're interested in at least trying to say hello to them in their own language.

I've been to a few non-English speaking countries before. It's funny how waiters went out of their way to speak English to me. Here, if say, a French guy or an African guy went into a restaurant, it would be a different case...

Another cultural note: I heard that if you give someone a clock in China, it means that they're going to die!

Comment by Louie

February 20th 2008 01:30

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ABSOLUTLEY...

Even if tis for no other reason than its amazing how much English people speak if you make an effort to bumble your way through their language....

cheers

Louie

Comment by AmyHuang

February 20th 2008 02:04

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Lilla and Louie, thank you for dropping by and sharing your thoughts!

Always Eighteen - it's true. As the pronouciation for 'to give clock' is close to that of 'give a funeral'. If you must give someone a clock as a present, get that person to give you say... 5 cents or something, to symbolise that they actually bought it off you.

Comment by Cibbuano

February 20th 2008 03:42

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you also shouldn't share a pear with your girlfriend in China, since it sounds like 'breaking a relationship', or so I'm told.

It's too bad, because I'm always in the mood for exactly 1/2 of a pear!

Comment by AmyHuang

February 20th 2008 05:35

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Hi Cib - yes, same story - the pronunciation of 'pear' is the same as 'to part'.

Too superstitious for my liking! (Probably explains why I always get told off by my parents all the time)

Comment by Patricia

February 20th 2008 10:10

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Gosh, but isn't having the opportunity to learn and speak at least a little of the local language one of the joys of travel?

Comment by AmyHuang

February 20th 2008 22:19

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It is Patricia!

It's especially great seeing the local's delight knowing that you are trying.

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