Learning a Language and Traveling

 If you love to travel and see other lands you are going to want to pay attention to this article.  When you go to a foreign country there is a good chance they are going to speak another language. When you are traveling you may be wondering if you should take some steps to learn the language. There are some things that you can do to help you become familiar with the new language. 

               When traveling technology can help you out a lot when it comes to the language. Some many different programs and apps can help you with the translation. Smartphones have apps that will translate what we are saying into just about any language. We can speak to the app in English and select the language that we want it to translate to. When the other people hear the phone they will hear it in the selected language. When they speak back and are still using the app it will be translated into English so that we can understand it. These devices can do the talking and the translation for us. They will help us communicate and connect with others no matter where we are. These apps have some of the most commonly spoken languages including Spanish, Mandarin, and many other languages. While the translation may not always be perfect and it may not translate word for word of what we are saying these apps can be a big help when traveling. 

               Before you are traveling there are some things that you can do to become familiar with the native language of the place that you are traveling to. You can take some courses where you can learn some of the basics. Some of the basics will include asking for specific information, being polite, and learning some common phrases.  There are many different forms of courses that we can take. There are some online courses where you can stay at your own pace. This will allow you to learn some common keywords and phrases that are used. You will be able to hear the language being spoken and you will be critiqued on how you speak it. There are also some in-person courses that you can take. They may be offered at the local community college. An introduction class will be the best. You can also hire a tutor that is a native language speaker and they will help you learn some common phrases. Either way that you choose you will have some basic language skills and an understanding of what is being said.

               If you are not able to take some courses there are still some things that you can do to become familiar with the language in the country that you are traveling to. Experts say that you can listen to music in the official language of where you are going. This will allow you to become familiar with some common phrases. Music in any language can be found online. This will allow you to study the vocabulary but not in the traditional sense of studying. You will get a feel for the sounds of the words and how they are pronounced. When you become familiar enough you can sing along. This is the way that babies acquire language. They listen to the sounds their parents are making and then begin to imitate them. You can also have the songs translated so you can go back and look at the meaning. This is a chance for you to become familiar with the words and learn how to use them. It may also have your pick on some of the less formal words and the way they are used. Slang is not often taught in the introduction courses so this can be very helpful in your travels. 

               When traveling you should not just focus on the words that are being used. You need to focus on all of the communication that is happening. When you are speaking you need to pay attention to the hand gestures and other non-verbal communication that is being used. Some cultures talk a lot with their hands and some a very animated when they speak. This will help you get a sense of what they are saying. You should begin understanding the communication in the culture by learning some basic greetings. This can include saying hello and asking a person their name. When traveling take some time and speak to the locals in the area. This will improve your language skills and they may be able to teach you how to say things correctly. People will understand things such as the tone of your voice and some basic hand gestures. This will help increase communication and break down some of the language barriers. 

               When you are traveling and trying to speak in a new language it is okay if you make a mistake. If it is not your native language and you are just learning it, people will not expect you to say everything perfectly. They will be pleased that you have put the effort into learning the language and trying to learn more about their culture. Most people know someone that speaks with an accent and when traveling they may find your accent unique.  Even if you do not know how to say things perfectly do not let it hold you back. Give it your best shot and you will see how others will respond.  

               When you are traveling to a  new place and are unfamiliar with the language these are some things that you can do to help you understand the people and the culture. You can bring your smartphone and use the translation apps that will help you communicate. You can also take some courses so you can have a basic understanding of the language the what is being said. When you travel you do not have to become fluent in the new language but it will be beneficial to you to learn some commonly used phrases so you can communicate and get around while traveling.