Questions tagged [language-barrier]
For questions concerning little or no knowledge of the local language.
133
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Quebec, responding to French in English: faux pas? [duplicate]
I'm currently visiting Montreal. In almost every store or restaurant I go to, I'm greeted with "bonjour!" I know just a little French and I could probably get by with a simple transaction, but then I ...
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2
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"Safe" typical dishes to order away from the tourist trail in Thailand when English is not supported?
I've found now that away from tourist areas, English is rare in Thailand both spoken and on menus.
I've also found that some of the dishes we in the west think of as typical for Thailand don't seem ...
- 78.3k
18
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2
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2k
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How to ask drivers not to take me to the bus station when hitchhiking in Thailand?
I'm hitchhiking around the world again and have hit a snag in Thailand.
In Malaysia people generally understand a bit of English and generally "get" the idea of hitchhiking. A bit further north over ...
- 78.3k
23
votes
2
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How useful/important is French in Montreal?
I'm going to be in Montreal for several weeks-months for work this fall. I don't speak a word of French. It's my understanding that Montreal is the primary anglophone enclave for Quebec and that ...
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5
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4
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Language to communicate in tourist places in Bratislava? English is sufficient?
Is English sufficient to communicate in tourist places in Bratislava (musea, buying tickets, restaurants, receptions in hostels)? Should I expect that English would be generally understood in that ...
- 7,450
7
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3
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Would I be able to communicate in Vienna in German?
I'm planning a trip to Vienna. Since I know German quite well, I didn't foresee any problems... but after reading Wikipedia articles about dialects in Austria, especially about Bairisch dialect, I'm a ...
- 7,450
5
votes
1
answer
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English medical records in a Spanish-speaking country?
I'm travelling to Uruguay - the main language is Spanish.
I'm planning on taking a physical copy of my medical records with me, in the event of an emergency. (These records can be obtained through my ...
user7642
50
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5
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How do you know if a Japanese person means no when they say yes?
I have come across a few situations when a Japanese person will extend themselves beyond what they probably should to help people. I am often worried when asking them to do something that they will ...
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-3
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1
answer
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Most frequent words required while foreign travel [closed]
Which are most important words required while visiting countries having a different language understood by you?
How do you manage a situation where you need to explain other person not understanding ...
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26
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4
answers
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How to know "your number" for a machine haircut in a foreign country?
When traveling for an extensive period of time, you may need to get a haircut in a country where you do not speak the language.
I usually get a machine haircut and just saying or showing the number (...
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6
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2
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Overcoming the language barrier while experiencing traditional Japanese culture
I'd like to see live performance of traditional Japanese culture. For example, watching noh theatre or bunraku, as opposed to merely seeing artworks or pottery. Unfortunately, my Japanese is fairly ...
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7
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5
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Where in the world knowing Russian and English will not be enough? [closed]
I speak Russian and English. Will those 2 languages be sufficient to travel anywhere in the world as a tourist? Or there are some regions where it wouldn't be enough?
By sufficient, I mean, I would ...
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3
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Will I be understood in all Portuguese-speaking countries, if I learn Portuguese in Portugal?
I really like the Portuguese language, but if I want to be understood in all Portuguese speaking countries (e.g. Brazil, Cape Verde, Angola, Mozambique), would it be enough to speak "Portuguese" ...
user141
18
votes
4
answers
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What is more widely spoken in the Baltic countries: Russian, Ukrainian, or English?
Wikipedia says that about a quarter of total population in Estonia, Latvia are Slavonic people like Russians, Ukrainians etc., and I wonder if Russian is well-understood and how natives treat tourists ...
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14
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3
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How to "speak" Russian, if you don't speak Russian?
I saw this really amazing film, called Chapiteau show. It is one of those films, after which, you want to go there. Although it is a Russian film, imdb shows that it is filmed in the Crimea (Ukraine). ...
user141
25
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4
answers
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What language to use in Georgia (the country)? Is English widely spoken?
I don't speak Georgian. I have been told not to use the little Russian that I know because it might be problematic considering the edgy relationship with Russia. My question is which language should I ...
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2
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How many accommodation types are recognized in German?
Next to the usual hotel aggregators like booking.com, expedia, etc I am using Google Maps to search for accommodation. It really works well if you search for accommodation in the local language.
For ...
user141
13
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5
answers
20k
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Can Westerners use the free Wi-Fi at Guangzhou international airport?
My route home at the end of my trip will have me on a 4-hour connection at Guangzhou airport in China.
I've read online that it's an unpleasant airport but it would be more bearable if I knew I would ...
- 78.3k
27
votes
4
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190k
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What is the difference between "Gazole" and "Diesel" in France?
I am driving a car with a Diesel engine. I always thought that "Gazole" and "Diesel" were synonymous to each other, only to drive in a gas station which mentioned both terms, as in "Gazole" and "...
user141
7
votes
1
answer
2k
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Picture cards for common tourist needs to avoid the language barrier?
I will be traveling around several countries (in southeastern europe) later this year. And I'm worried about the language barrier.
It occured to me, that it would be cool if I had a collection of ...
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14
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7
answers
26k
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What foreign language is the most common in Serbia?
What foreign language is the most common in Serbia? In which language have I the most chances to communicate with locals (in shops, railway stations, hostels etc.) if I don't know Serbian?
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6
votes
4
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Does knowing Japanese help in neighbouring countries?
I know a bit of Japanese, but don't know any other Asian languages.
Does knowing Japanese help in neighbouring countries such as South Korea and Taiwan?
Am I likely to encounter people who are ...
- 22.9k
39
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3
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4k
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Stuck without toilet paper while travelling - what is the best approach?
Well, this has happened to everyone at some point - you find out there is no toilet paper just after you need it the most. Usually it's not a big deal, even in public toilet room you can wait until ...
9
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How to find "night and day" decongestant for a head cold when there's a language barrier?
So I've been in Tbilisi, Georgia for almost a week and the temperature is now dropping below zero Celsius sometimes and I have the dubious honour of being the first in my hostel to contract a head ...
- 78.3k
24
votes
13
answers
10k
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Can you really get around everywhere with only speaking English?
I had a discussion with a friend on how many language one should learn to be able to be understood worldwide? My estimate would be with around 4-5 languages, but this is a gut feeling which I cannot ...
user141
6
votes
2
answers
349
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What technique do you use to remember city names in foreign languages?
When I try to remember where I traveled or where I have to go to catch a bus, train or something else, I always have great difficulties to remember city names if they are in a foreign language. The ...
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10
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4
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How can I translate medicines?
I know that if I have stomach issues I can take an Enterogermina or an Imodium if things get severe. I know that if I have throat ache, I can take a Benagol. I know that if I have a strong headache a ...
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34
votes
7
answers
97k
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If I travel to Paris, can I get by with just English?
If I plan on visiting Paris, but not really the rest of France, is it still important for me to learn at least enough French to get by? Are people in Paris going to be willing to speak English if they ...
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56
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5
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Will I be able to travel around India speaking only English?
I am to travel around some Indian cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and others. Will I have trouble speaking only English, or should I learn some phrases in Hindi?
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42
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4
answers
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Can we get by as English speakers visiting Iceland?
We're going to Iceland for the first time in September. Will we be able to get around ok just speaking English, or should we try to learn some rudimentary Icelandic? And is that even what their ...
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26
votes
6
answers
8k
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How to overcome the language barrier when visiting France and Spain?
I may be traveling to France and Spain for business purposes, and I'm likely to mix some pleasure with that business trip.
I do not expect many language issues during the business conversations.
...
- 2,136
80
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9
answers
7k
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How do you avoid "tourist traps" when traveling to a country where you do not speak the language?
Too many easily accessible restaurants and attractions cater heavily to tourists, and, in doing so, create an environment that they feel will be comfortable to people from other cultures.
Spending ...
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30
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8
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9k
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How much Russian do I need to know for travelling within Russia?
Or alternatively - how well-spoken (and widely-spoken) is English?
I intend to visit St. Petersburg, Moscow, Irkutsk and Vladivostok.
I feel like I might have the most troubles in the latter two ...
- 10.7k