• Learn a few words and phrases in the native language before your trip to make basic communication easier.• Use expressive body language to communicate when speaking to locals.• When appropriate, use numbers to make your intended meaning clearer.• Take a professionally guided vacation to experience the region without learning the language, or have a local tour guide show you the highlights of the city so that you can easily find your way.• Approach locals with courtesy to encourage open communication.
Speaking to locals without knowing the native language is a challenge that you can overcome by using simple communication strategies. Gestures, maps and local resources such as guided tours are effective tools that make the communication barrier easier to overcome when you fly to a new country.
Preparing for your trip beforehand also improves your ability to communicate when you don’t know the local language.
Learn Simple Words and Phrases
Before you leave home, learn some basic phrases and words in the local language. Words like "help" and phrases like "thank you" only take a few minutes to learn, but they send a clear message that others easily understand.
Translation resources like apps and dictionaries are useful when you want to learn a new word or phrase before your trip.
For instant access to the local language while abroad, carry a translation dictionary with you on your travels, and download a translation app if you have a smartphone.
While apps are convenient, carrying a translation dictionary as a backup is recommended, especially as internet connectivity might not be available.
Use Expressive Body Language
Expressive body language is an effective way to share meaning when visiting foreign countries. For example, when you mimic taking a drink, most people understand that you want a beverage.
Although you may feel a little silly, expressive gestures and body language are an important part of communication among all people, including those who share the same language.
Body language is also a way to communicate with others. Friendly gestures are usually the best way to show someone your intentions before you begin to speak. Friendly gestures include smiling and keeping your hands open and visible when you approach someone. Try to use clear body language to improve your communication with locals.
Use Numbers to Show Meaning
Numbers are the same in many countries around the world, and they are particularly helpful when you are ordering in restaurants, buying tickets to attractions and making purchases in local shops. Say the number clearly and avoid replacement words to effectively communicate when talking to locals.
For example, the word "one" is easily understood in a variety of languages while words like "a" only replace the word "one" in a few countries. It can help to use your fingers to explain the number or to point to an item on a menu, or a word on a sign. Try to work on communicating one clear idea at a time.
Politeness is a simple way to open the lines of communication when speaking to locals in a foreign country. Say "thank you" after receiving any type of service, or after asking a local for help, to show your appreciation.
Read websites about your destination to learn more about local customs, such as how to greet or thank someone. Whenever possible, follow the example provided by those around you to prevent miscommunication caused by using gestures or words that aren’t suitable for the occasion.
Explore the Area
Experiencing a culture firsthand is the best way to learn how to speak to locals. Visit restaurants, museums, shops and parks to discover gestures and words that have meaning in the region. A guided tour of the area is recommended to improve your understanding of the region’s traditions and customs, including how people interact.
Some languages take as little as three months to learn when you live in a foreign country, and visitors can learn new words through everyday interactions like shopping or sightseeing. Learning to speak to locals without knowing the language seems challenging, but communication is often as simple as using basic words and approaching others with a friendly smile.
