Traveling entails numerous adjustments, one of them is learning new language. The assumption that English, considered as the “universal” tongue, is intelligible to almost everyone is fiction. Natives of some countries, such as the French, even find it rude to be approached and talked to without first greeting them in their language. Using the local language can also give travelers an upper hand in bargaining, help them when asking for direction, and connect directly with the culture.

Thus, language can actually become the biggest hump in a traveler’s journey. Experts say that there is hope, saying that humans are equipped to quickly learn a language. This only goes to show that with the right effort, combined with the adherence to the following tips, can actually go a long way.

Study the language carefully.

Check out beforehand the language of the country you intend to visit. A dictionary and a phrasebook will already come handy. Watch movies which speak the local language and see where the accents and stresses fall and how statements and questions are commonly delivered. Also, familiarize yourself with the basic grammar and sentence structures, subject and the verb agreement, and the voices of the sentence. Sensitivity with regard to its usage can be developed and adjustments can be done as soon as you converse with a local.

Start from the basics.

Learning a new language is like moving to a new country. Be humble and start from scratch. Regularly consult the translation dictionary and skip the highfaluting words. Find the meanings of the ones commonly used, such as greetings. Although basic, these simple words can already bridge the distance between you and the locals. Proceed to an introduction of yourself: “My name is…” This could help in reporting to native-speaking authorities, if the need arises during a trip. Then, go through the Ws (what, where, when and why) and H (how). Constructing a simple sentence will be easier if you have a working idea of the nouns and verbs.

Listen closely and observe native speakers.

Although translation dictionaries and audio tapes are deemed to be accurate, learning from the native speakers is still more effective. For vacationers and backpackers, this is more practical and hassle-free. Just believe that actions do speak louder than words. Listen to what the people around are saying and pay attention to their body language. This can help avoid miscommunications that the inaccuracy of by-the-book studies can bring.

For instance, the Korean “Anyong Haseo” and “Anyong” have two completely different greetings. Although it may seem like a shortened Hello, like a Hi in English, through listening and observing it will be found that “Anyong Haseo” is Hello and mentioned when meeting a friend or an acquaintance. On the other hand, “Anyong” is said when a person is about to leave. It actually means “goodbye.”

Be patient.

If you really want to learn the language, keep the frustration out and the enthusiasm in. When people around are conversing and you can’t make out a word of it, concentrate and dig deep. For sure one or two words, if not the entire sentence, will be familiar to you. Use this as context clues to solve the mystery. Also, take note that you are not the only person on the boat. Most travelers are trying to learn a new language and they too are adapting.

Practice.

Practice does make perfect. To fully adopt a language, use it during an entire trip. Speak the language with confidence. Anyone who wants to learn a new language must learn to embrace embarrassment. Native speakers are forgiving of people who are showing effort in learning their language. If you’re in Thailand, for example, try to haggle in Siamese. First smile, then open with a simple sawatdee khap (saying hi to men) kha (for female) as an intro. As a foreigner, they will not expect you to continue pouring out Siamese words but try your best. Then, punctuate your offer with a very polite, “Khap khun/kha” (thank you). The key work here is engagement.