How to Travel in a Country Where You Don't Know the Language?

Traveling around the world means that at some point or another, you find yourself in a country where you do not know the language, unless you are traveling through French-speaking countries!

For me, my first time is here and now, in the Cambodia. Beyond the culture shock, the language barrier is a bewildering challenge!

Not understanding what is being said around you, or even being unable to read, not even understanding non-verbal communication with its cultural codes unique to the country: what a hassle!

At times, I felt real frustration at not being able to communicate with the locals. Some, who work in contact with tourists, can mumble a few words in English or even speak it sometimes better than I do. But they remain an exception. And that remains in English: neither my language nor that of the local people.

Yet I have so much to tell them, so many questions to ask: I would love to ask what such constructions are for, why they offer soda to altars in their homes (and can they drink it for the spirit they honor?), what these fruits are and how do you eat them, why aren't the children in school ... The > and the > are plentiful in a culturally very different country. But they often remain on the tip of my tongue, unable to find an interlocutor capable of understanding me and answering them.

So far, having primarily traveled in South America, Quebec, and Europe, I was familiar with the languages encountered, or I learned them (like Spanish), or I could deduce the meaning of what the locals said (in Italian, for example). But in facing Asia, my Latin roots are of no use.

The > nowadays, a vector of globalization and global exchanges is undoubtedly English.

In South America, I made it a point not to speak English and to make the effort to learn Spanish to communicate with the locals (well, not all, as many villagers only speak their dialect, such as Quechua, Guarani ...). What a vexation when, to my stammering speech in Spanish, I was replied to in English! And this happened often: they felt the same desire to please me and to showcase their knowledge of >.

I was convinced that exchanges with the locals can only take place meaningfully in their language, and that, especially for a long-term trip, I could make the effort to learn it. And I maintain this position, especially regarding Latin languages from French: it's not hard at all.

But in Asia ... Just learning a few words to make contact (hello, thank you, goodbye, yes, no ...) is a challenge! The pronunciations and sounds have nothing to do with our languages, and while Khmers are generally unable to pronounce the > and the > correctly, I am quite incapable of pronouncing most of their sounds! With each of my attempts, I trigger bursts of laughter (it must be said, the Cambodians laugh all the time).

No way around it, I resign myself to using English for a >.

Despite everything, English is neither my language nor that of my interlocutor: many nuances and complexities of the exchange are lost. We get to the point, sometimes smiling gently and nodding, not understanding a single word of the statement, supposedly in English, from our interlocutor, who is clearly passionate about his topic.

English is thus a survival solution, but it does not allow for the same cultural exchanges and exchanges of opinions as in the local language.

Moreover, English is not a miracle solution: when you stray from tourist areas and big cities, you face the difficulty of communicating without any common linguistic support.

Always learn the basic words, even if just to greet and introduce your statements. It will please your interlocutor who will listen to you more attentively.

In addition to the classics (yes, no, hello, goodbye, thank you, restrooms ...), also learn a few numbers, if possible from 1 to 10, and then the tens up to 50.

If you find an interlocutor who understands English: be wary of what they actually understand. A > !" href="" target="_blank" rel="noopener">does not mean that the message was well received!

In any exchange, even in your own language, non-verbal communication plays an important role. For example, if your interlocutor's mouth is covered, you will feel hindered, as you subconsciously read lips to complete the information.

To support communication, you can also rely on visual aids, such as images or pictograms.

There are several smartphone applications for this purpose. Otherwise, old school: print out some important images before you leave to be able to exchange them.

That's what I did before leaving for Cambodia: suffering from gastritis (not ideal for traveling in Asia!), I brought an image of chili, bell pepper ... Honestly, I didn't use it often, as the answers to my questions (>) were not always the most accurate!

And in addition to images, have on you the address of your destination or accommodation, and even better, a business card from the hotel: if you ask for directions to return or call a taxi/tuk-tuk ... it will be a huge help!

A little extra tip: travel with a small notebook. It serves as a checklist, and you can also write down useful vocabulary words, addresses ... and communicate on paper (drawings and scribbles), a media that can be very helpful!

Traveling in a culturally very different country where you do not master the language is indeed a whole adventure! Disorienting, frustrating, it is also an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and lose your bearings, to question everything, faced with a culture of which you know nothing.

Not being able to rely on oral or written communication also means finding balance and developing other senses: non-verbal communication and observation come to the forefront.

And you, what are your travel experiences in a country where you do not know the language? How did you manage?