Ask: How do You Handle Language Barriers as a Nomad?

/// Ask: How do You Handle Language Barriers as a Nomad?

ASK is a series of posts answering questions asked by readers about the nomadic operative lifestyle. Contact me to ask your own.

I’m in my first week of backpacking around the world. I intentionally chose England as my first destination so I can ease into the inevitable communication difficulties of being a foreigner. So how do you handle the language barriers as a nomad?
-Reggie A.
New York City, USA

ANSWER ///

As travelers and explorers of the world, I feel as if overcoming language barriers is just another intriguing albeit sometimes difficult thing to experience.

Like the thrill of culture shock, it seems like a negative part of travel, but it can actually be an exciting learning experience if you let it. That’s how I “handle” language barriers, as a good and strengthening exercise.

A positive attitude and perception of a problem can go a long way particularly with intercultural communication.

But there is no quick tip or secret method of breaking the language barrier. Even linguists will have difficulties understanding a new language out in the real world.

So unless you’re a prodigy, don’t try to figure out the technical structure of the nation’s language, expecting to get half fluent by reading an instructional on it during the flight to that country. It’s a waste of time and you won’t get anything practical out of it.

Alternately for digital nomads and expats planning on staying in a country for professional matters, language fundamentals may be necessary.

Focus on key words and phrases (and their pronunciation) that you know you’ll need and use. For example, the 3 most important, useful and most commonly used are; “Thank you”, “Hello” and “Goodbye”.

That trifecta is the most generic of words which also makes them extremely valuable to the foreigner.

An obvious tourist properly greeting a local for business or social, in my experience, almost always breaks the ice. Which is a great start on breaking that language barrier even if you don’t know any more words.