Don’t speak the local language? 3 foolproof tips to travel smoothly anyway

By Rita

According toHuffPostreport, the U.S. Travel Department conducted a survey of 29 million American travelers in 2013, and found that most of their top destinations were not English-speaking countries. In reality, language isn’t necessarily a guarantee of travel quality—follow these tips to explore a new country in your own way.

▲ How to start a trip when you can’t read the local language? (Image / Wikimedia Commons)

1. Learn some basic words before you go

It’s not about memorizing complex grammar, but picking up commonly used phrases to help you interact with locals—such as standard greetings like “hello,” “goodbye,” “please,” “thank you,” and “excuse me.” Other useful phrases include “Could you speak more slowly?” “I don’t know,” or questions like “Do you speak English?” and “How much is this?” These can save you a lot of time.

For safety’s sake, learn a few emergency phrases too, such as “help,” “emergency,” and “police.” You might not need them, but knowing them can give you peace of mind. Don’t try to memorize useless vocabulary—instead, focus on the most common words. Learning 100 words is always easier than learning 1,000.

You can also use websites likeMeetup.comto find language partners for practice, or check out local community events to see if any native speakers are involved.

▲ Do some homework before you depart (Image / Darkei Sheli / Illustration)

2. Make the most of your smartphone

According to Priceline, over 60% of travelers now use their phones for navigation, finding local restaurants, and locating shops—but only 30% use them for translation. Using your phone for translation means you can ditch the phrasebook. Google Translate is a handy tool, but make sure there’s internet access where you’re going before relying on it.

Word Lens is an app that uses your phone’s camera to provide instant translations of printed text—like signs, public transport info, or even restaurant menus—just by taking a photo. It currently translates six languages into English, and best of all, it works offline. The only downside is that it can’t recognize handwriting. Another popular app, “Translate Professional,” offers translations of over 300 short phrases in 50 languages, along with features like text translation and audio pronunciation examples in 18 languages.

▲ Using apps can make your trip a lot more convenient (Image / Wikimedia Commons)

3. Interact with locals

According to Priceline, 69% of locals say they feel happy when tourists show curiosity about their country and try to express enthusiasm using the local language. So, using common phrases to ask the right questions can help spark conversations—and locals may even guide you to great restaurants, shops, and authentic experiences. As long as you show sincerity and friendliness, imperfect pronunciation won’t be a big deal.

Alternatively, write down key information—like your hotel address or phone number—in the local language. This ensures locals can assist you if needed. If all else fails, use gestures or body language. But be careful to avoid any potentially offensive gestures—for example, the “high-five” gesture common in the U.S. is equivalent to giving the middle finger in Greece.

▲ Friendly interactions with locals can greatly enrich your trip (Image / Darkei Sheli / Illustration)

★ Image is a copyrighted photo provided exclusively to ETtoday 東森新聞雲 by Darkei Sheli. No partial or full reproduction is allowed by any website, newspaper, or TV station without permission from Darkei Sheli.