That language barrier
May 3rd 2008 10:37
Category: No Category
Interesting article on Brave New Traveler: Should English Be The World's International Language?
Well, er, no. I don't believe English should be the world's international language, although unfortunately the trend seems to make it so. Of course, being English speakers, we don't feel the difference but for some reason a lot of the non-English speaking travellers seem to think it's essential to learn English first and then if they have time they *might* learn another language.
And I did actually write a post about it on Travel String a very long while ago: Sprechen Sie Deutsch?
I feel that when you are travelling, even if doing a round-the-world trip, you should at least attempt to learn FIVE words in the local tongue: Hello/Good day; Please; Thank you; Can I...?; and preferably the numbers from 1-5.
As much as the author pays out the 'Americans' bad behaviour in this subject, I feel a lot of us, especially English speakers (and the same can be said of French speakers too) fail to recognise the need to adapt the local languages a little. I know some of you feel that if you are only going to be in a place for less than a week it's not really worth it - but it really does make your trip feel a lot more authentic, not to mention the locals will actually be friendlier with you if you try!
What do you think?
(Image source: cartoonstock.com)
Well, er, no. I don't believe English should be the world's international language, although unfortunately the trend seems to make it so. Of course, being English speakers, we don't feel the difference but for some reason a lot of the non-English speaking travellers seem to think it's essential to learn English first and then if they have time they *might* learn another language.
And I did actually write a post about it on Travel String a very long while ago: Sprechen Sie Deutsch?
I feel that when you are travelling, even if doing a round-the-world trip, you should at least attempt to learn FIVE words in the local tongue: Hello/Good day; Please; Thank you; Can I...?; and preferably the numbers from 1-5.
As much as the author pays out the 'Americans' bad behaviour in this subject, I feel a lot of us, especially English speakers (and the same can be said of French speakers too) fail to recognise the need to adapt the local languages a little. I know some of you feel that if you are only going to be in a place for less than a week it's not really worth it - but it really does make your trip feel a lot more authentic, not to mention the locals will actually be friendlier with you if you try!
What do you think?
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