The Communication Gap

Sir,

 

As you are probably aware, this is a wonderful time to be monoglot in English -- you can get a long, long way just speaking English.  But even in a country that claims to hold English as an official language, like In., you'll find yourself running against the hard grain of no-communication.  But you have to make your point known -- the question is how. 

 

For your viewing pleasure, I've included b1's Language Travel Tips. 

 

First and foremost, keep trying.  Just keep trying.

 

Second, when you compose thoughts and ideas, it helps if you keep them in English for two reasons: one is the structure of the language helps you keep logical flow to what you're talking about, the other is even people who speak no English will know a few words.  You might trip on the landmine they recognize, giving you an explosion of understanding.  Even when I'm communicating at the very most basic level, I make sure I'm not trying to express ideas that someone else who speaks English couldn't understand.  It's truly stunning how few people do this.

 

Strip the unnecessary words out.  Nouns are primarily what you want.  If you ever want to see how not to speak to someone that doesn't speak English fluently, listen to Brits.  "Excuse me, sir, if it's no bother, do you know if you'll have any more apples any time today?"  Uh, no.  "Apples?" is the question you're looking for.

 

Don't be afraid to sign for what you want.  When you say "bed," lie your head on your hands.  When you say "car" steer with your hands.  Be exuberant.  There are some signs that everyone knows: rubbing your thumb and fingers together for "money," circling your finger by your head for "crazy."

 

There are some hand signals that are regional.  "Half" in most of Asia, and all of Islam, is signalled by making a chopping motion to your forearm.  In most of Asia "come here" is done palm down with a scooping motion, like you were trying to move water down a trough (they think of a curled finger as being something between obscene and just funny).

 

Learn a few of the local words:

That

This

Stop

Go

Here

There

Please

Thank you

 

Numbers aren't really necessary because you can sign them.

 

There are a few common words to almost all languages -- you use these, people will understand them: taxi and kaput jump to mind immediately, there are more.

 

Carry a small pad of paper and a pen with you.  Draw things that are too complicated for rudimentary communication.

 

"Okay" is the king of all words.  Everyone, everywhere, knows this.  And it can be a question or a statement.  You do a deal and you pay.  "Okay?"  "Okay!"  They're always surprised that you know that word in their language.  Maybe you aren't a rich barbarian after all. 

 

Maybe.

 

Okay?

b1