How do you travel and make yourself understood when you don't speak the local language?

There are no less than 7,000 languages spoken in the world! The 3 most widely spoken are English, Mandarin and Hindi. However, not everyone has been lucky enough to have learned a more widely-spoken language in the course of their schooling or life.

Here are a few tips to help you make yourself understood and get to know others during your stay:

Pictogram books

These books contain illustrations of everyday objects and actions, which can help overcome language barriers when traveling abroad. They can help communicate specific needs. There are many types of pictogram books available, from comprehensive conversation guides to small pocket books.

Below are some examples of pictogram books:

โ€œThe Visual Dictionary of Travel and Tourism"(the visual dictionary of travel and tourism) by Jean-Claude Corbeil and Ariane Archambault: this book contains over 6,000 illustrations organized by theme to help you communicate with people from all over the world.

โ€œPoint it: Traveller's Language Kit"by Dieter Graf: this little book contains over 1,300 illustrations that can be pointed at to help communicate with people in any travel situation.

โ€œPictorial Language: English-French"(Pictorial language: English-French) by Gabriel Arquimbau and Agnรจs Mathieu: this book uses pictures to teach basic phrases in English and French, which can help people communicate in everyday situations.

Conversation guides

They are available for every country. They contain common phrases and expressions to help travelers navigate everyday communication situations, such as ordering food or asking for directions. Conversation guides are available in a variety of formats, from paperbacks to guides covering several languages. Although they are no substitute for a basic knowledge of the language, conversation guides can be invaluable in helping travellers to feel more confident when interacting with speakers of a foreign language.

Mobile applications

Translation applications such as Google Translate can be used to translate common words and phrases in real time, making it easier to communicate with locals. Some applications, such as TripLingoThese apps also offer features to help travelers better understand the local culture, providing information on customs, behaviors to avoid and common expressions. Travel apps for non-English-speaking travelers are also available, offering help with booking hotels, buying train and plane tickets, as well as travel tips and information on local attractions. Mobile applications are valuable tools to help travelers communicate and get around easily in a foreign country, even if they don't speak the local language!

Learn a few basic words

Saying hellosaying "thank you", "goodbye" and "please" can help establish friendly communication with locals and show that you have some respect for their culture. Knowing a few simple phrases like "I don't speak the language" Or "Can you help me?" can also be useful when assistance is needed. Learning a few words for ordering food, beverages and basic items, such as numbers, can make transactions easier and more convenient. minimize communication errors.

Local guide

Travelling with a local guide can be an authentic and enriching experience. Local guides know the area they are showing well, and can provide detailed information on local history, culture and traditions. They can also help to navigate in lesser-known places and advisor places to eat, shop and play. A local guide can help you facilitate interaction with the locals. Indeed, they are often considered part of the community and are therefore able to establish relationships more easily. Local guides can also help to minimize safety risks avoiding dangerous areas or providing information on behaviors to be avoided. This ensures a more authentic and secure experience for travelers looking to discover a place's culture and history.

The "translator auricles

These are classic earbuds, but with an interesting feature for travel. Like the Pixel Buds who have the ability to translate in real time more than 40 languages, using the Google Translate application. This can be particularly useful for travelers visiting a country where they don't speak the language. Google's Pixel Buds are an excellent choice for travelers looking for quality earbuds, with useful features to make their trip easier.

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