15 Must-Know Phrases for Travelers to Unlock Any Language Abroad
<p><u>Managing Language Barriers S1 E4</u></p><p>For purposes of this broadcast, assume you only speak English.</p><p>Reality:</p><ul><li>Reality is that English is understood in most major cities</li><li>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</li><li>Best thing is to have just a few phrases at the ready.</li><li>English becomes less frequently used and understood the further away from the major city you go.</li><li>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</li><li>Manners count in many places more than they do in the US</li><li>Japan</li><li>Europe</li></ul><br/><p>Really, there are some universal phrases you should master before traveling to another country. </p><p><u>15 Phrases that are Non negotiable:</u></p><ol><li>Hello and Goodbye</li><li>Good morning and Good afternoon</li></ol><br/><ul><li>Particularly for shopkeepers and hotel workers</li></ul><br/><ol><li>Please and Thank YOU!</li><li>Excuse me, and I’m sorry (you’ll need to say that a lot)</li><li>Where is the….</li></ol><br/><ul><li>Train station?, name of hotel? And most importantly, the bathroom</li></ul><br/><ol><li>I would like….</li></ol><br/><ul><li>Common names of food, x number of tickets- bus, train, admission</li></ul><br/><ol><li>Numbers one through 20</li></ol><br/><ul><li>Bonus if you know all tens to 100, 100, 1000, 2000…</li></ul><br/><ol><li>How much is…?</li><li>I have… but <strong>Do you have</strong> is even more useful…</li><li>The bill, please…</li><li>I need help.</li><li>I need medical help.</li><li><strong>I am allergic to… very important!</strong></li><li>I have a medical condition (consider wearing a medic alert bracelet as well if needed)</li><li>(Of course)....Do you speak English?</li></ol><br/> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://secondacttravels.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1">secondacttravels.substack.com</a>
