Traveling to a foreign country can make you frightened if you don't know the local language. Mr. Thibault has a number of tips to help travelers manage in a destination when they don't speak the native tongue, based on his own experience. Here are a few of them.
Download a Language Translation App
Mr. Thibault tends to rely on Google Translate and suggests that travelers find an app that works for them. Ideally, find one that specializes in the language you need to translate especially if the language uses a character set you're not familiar with, or have difficulty pronouncing.
Speak with Your Hands and Head
Pointing with your hands and nodding or shaking your head, Mr. Thibault said, are easy ways to communicate with locals in the country you're in. "Gestures are all universally understood, " he said.
Learn a Few Key Words
Knowing basic words and phrases like "hello""thank you" and "I'm sorry, I don't speak your language. Do you speak English?" is a must, Mr. Thibault said. Showing that you care enough to learn some of the language before you go, and at least enough to acknowledge that you don't know more, is a form of respect and will make you go a long way to be liked by locals.
Work with a Local Travel Agent
If you feel particularly uncomfortable in the country you're heading to, and you have to go anyway, relying on a local travel agent who knows both your and your destination's languages can be incredibly useful.
Hire a Local Tour Guide
A tour guide can help you get a better grasp of the local language and is a good person to practice words and phrases with. Whenever Mr. Thibault visits a new country, he books a sightseeing tour with a guide on the first day of his trip. "I use this day to learn about my destination and get familiar with the language, "he said.
