Traveling to A Country Where You Don't Know the Language

[Anonymous]

I'd love to visit certain countries--China, Russia, Japan, Greece--among others. I want to visit not just the tourist areas, but also the other parts of the country to get a deeper understanding of the culture and how things work in the society.

However, I--nor my travelling buddy--don't know the languages spoken in those countries.

What should I do?

[Anonymous]

Most have large English speaking populations, particularly in tourist areas. Learn some travel words and always politely ask if they speak English. Never assume.

[Anonymous]

Take a crash course in the language before you go and learn the basics. Make sure to have a phrase book and/or dictionary handy so that you can point out certain words if necessary.

Carefully map out your itinerary in advance. It is not ideal to "wing it" if you don't know the local tongue, especially if you plan to venture away from the major cities.

[Anonymous]

When I went to Thailand, my husband I hired a private guide. It actually didn't cost that much and we were able to go to lots of places that only locals know about. Plus there was no language issue. TripAdvisor was a life saver for us.

[Anonymous]

Translation app.

[Anonymous]

My first thought--college study abroad. Home stays, classes in language/culture/history/politics, and time to get to know a place. Not so helpful if you're not in college anymore, but that's the sort of model you might want to look at.

Some universities have alumni travel options, with professors along to teach about the place. You might also want to look at Road Scholar (used to be Elderhostel).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I went to Thailand, my husband I hired a private guide. It actually didn't cost that much and we were able to go to lots of places that only locals know about. Plus there was no language issue. TripAdvisor was a life saver for us.

OP here:

I was thinking that a getting a private guide might be our best bet.

The thing is you have to get someone whom you can really trust and who won't take advantage of you or dupe you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Translation app.

These are terrible - and don't work well. Also, they usually don't account for dialects and can get you in a mess of trouble.

How far into the country are you going? I find hiring a guide is helpful. Also, printing out some necessary phrases or handy words "Food" "bathroom" "room" "medicine" in several different languages on index cards always helps.

For example, in China, I would do it in Mandarian, Cantonese, Pinyan, then in English (because spoken and written is different), French and German.

It usually helps when I'm on the road. I once met a guide who spoke German, French, and Mandarian. I speak English, Dutch and Spanish.

It was horrible trying to get where I needed to go - except he knew a little Italian - so we could muddle through with my Spanish and his Italian.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I went to Thailand, my husband I hired a private guide. It actually didn't cost that much and we were able to go to lots of places that only locals know about. Plus there was no language issue. TripAdvisor was a life saver for us.

OP here:

I was thinking that a getting a private guide might be our best bet.

The thing is you have to get someone whom you can really trust and who won't take advantage of you or dupe you.

That's true. That's why I would ask for recommendations on the TripAdvisor forums.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I went to Thailand, my husband I hired a private guide. It actually didn't cost that much and we were able to go to lots of places that only locals know about. Plus there was no language issue. TripAdvisor was a life saver for us.

OP here:

I was thinking that a getting a private guide might be our best bet.

The thing is you have to get someone whom you can really trust and who won't take advantage of you or dupe you.

Go to tripadvisor and check out the forums there - but traveling is about discovery and challange. If you are already worried about language and getting "duped" maybe this isn't for you.

[Anonymous]

^I think the OP is worried about having a criminal tour guide.

[Anonymous]

People I know who travel all over for work often have a picture book - you can point to the picture to communicate what you want. Also, get someone at the hotel to write down the name and address (some places have cards) in the local language. If you really want a feel for the local culture, look into home stays in whatever country you're going to. Kickbacks to your guide for taking you to a friend's resturant is common in many places, you'll just have to relax about that thing up front. With or without a guide, you'll probably pay higher than the local price for things but again, you've just gotta chill out about that kinda of thing.

[Anonymous]

I lived in Japan. It will not be a problem. I lived there some years ago. I think the rail station signs are probably posted in our alphabet as well as Kanji. That is the most important thing to know.

[Anonymous]

Greece will not be a problem. All parts of Greece thrive on tourism.

[Anonymous]

Traveling through Russia may be a problem because of visas, etc. You need to research everything you need before you go. It can be tough there.