Shownotes
Managing Language Barriers S1 E4
For purposes of this broadcast, assume you only speak English.
Reality:
- Reality is that English is understood in most major cities
- Yes, you can use translation software some of the time, but it will get cumbersome, but it can be tedious, time consuming, and you might not have a great signal, your phone might be out of battery, or you’ve blown through your data plan
- Best thing is to have just a few phrases at the ready.
- English becomes less frequently used and understood the further away from the major city you go.
- You can do a lot with pointing etc., but knowing a few phrases will go a long way to helping you be understood, and most of all, earning the respect of your destination’s residents
- Manners count in many places more than they do in the US
Really, there are some universal phrases you should master before traveling to another country.
15 Phrases that are Non negotiable:
- Hello and Goodbye
- Good morning and Good afternoon
- Particularly for shopkeepers and hotel workers
- Please and Thank YOU!
- Excuse me, and I’m sorry (you’ll need to say that a lot)
- Where is the….
- Train station?, name of hotel? And most importantly, the bathroom
- I would like….
- Common names of food, x number of tickets- bus, train, admission
- Numbers one through 20
- Bonus if you know all tens to 100, 100, 1000, 2000…
- How much is…?
- I have… but Do you have is even more useful…
- The bill, please…
- I need help.
- I need medical help.
- I am allergic to… very important!
- I have a medical condition (consider wearing a medic alert bracelet as well if needed)
- (Of course)....Do you speak English?
