Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Vinjatek
    • Home
    • Shop
    • About
    • Contact
    • Gear
      1. Reviews
      2. Bags
      3. Clothing
      4. Flashlights
      5. Footwear
      6. Hunting
      7. EDC
      8. Guns
      9. Tech
      10. Knives
      11. Pens
      12. Outdoors
      13. Tools
      14. Weapons
      Featured

      Best Bow Sight Reviews: Complete Buyer’s Guide

      By Carl Williams07/07/2022
      Recent

      Best Bow Sight Reviews: Complete Buyer’s Guide

      07/07/2022

      Best Key Organizer Reviews: Complete Buyer’s Guide

      07/07/2022

      Best Red Dot Sight Reviews: Complete Buyer’s Guide

      07/07/2022
    • Sections
      • Lifestyle
      • Tactical
      • Survival
      • Preparedness
      • Restricted
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Vinjatek
    You are at:Home»Lifestyle»Ask: How do You Handle Language Barriers as a Nomad?
    Lifestyle

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

    avatarBy vinja13/12/20153 Comments3 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Vinjatek on a Jet /// ASK
    Ask: Does Titanium Set Off Metal Detectors at Airport Security?
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    ASK is a series of posts answering questions asked by readers about the operative, survivalist and nomadic lifestyle. Contact us 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.

    Language Barriers ///

    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.

    Verbal languages differ so greatly that they seem literally alien but body language is generally universal.

    It seems we often forget how effectively we communicate with each other without ever saying a word, perhaps because it’s usually subconscious and reactive.

    So use this “universal language” consciously and actively. Emphasize facial expressions, hand gestures and let your body convey your message.

    Frustration can’t always be helped but never show anger to the person you’re trying to communicate with.

    It’s not their fault they don’t speak your language or you don’t speak theirs while you’re in their country.

    1,695
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleThe Inspiring Force That is Mortality
    Next Article How to Live Out of a Backpack: Laundry
    avatar
    vinja

      American patriot, former covert operative and active operations consultant, living globally as a vagabond.

      Related Posts

      What is Vagabonding? A Modern Vagabond Lifestyle Definition

      24/06/2022

      Metal Detecting for Beginners: Complete Guide to Get Started

      24/06/2022

      Geocaching for Beginners: Complete Guide to Get Started

      24/06/2022

      How To Be Street Smart: What You Should Know

      23/06/2022

      3 Comments

      1. avatar
        Lori Zabel on 13/12/2015 12:55 AM

        The last sentence is really well said and completely agree and would also like to add, you should never start yelling in English or talk slower as if that helps.

        I hate when disrespectful travelers do that.

        Reply
      2. avatar
        Ares1211 on 13/12/2015 12:58 AM

        Maybe one day we’ll have an actual universal language, something like Mandarin mixed with English.

        Reply
        • avatar
          Kyle NYC on 13/12/2015 1:29 AM

          I’m leaning towards a universal translator like on Star Trek or Doctor Who.

          Reply

      Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

      About
      About

      An outdoors, tactics, lifestyle & urban survival site that focuses on the ideology, methodology, mindset and tactics of a covert operative to utilize in life, work and play.

      Facebook Twitter Instagram

      Advertiser Disclosure:
      Some links may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these

      Latest
      Gear

      Best Bow Sight Reviews: Complete Buyer’s Guide

      By Carl Williams07/07/2022

      With so many different types of bow sights, you may find it difficult to choose…

      Best Key Organizer Reviews: Complete Buyer’s Guide

      07/07/2022

      Best Red Dot Sight Reviews: Complete Buyer’s Guide

      07/07/2022

      Best Shooting Ear Protection Reviews: Complete Buyer’s Guide

      07/07/2022
      • Facebook
      • Twitter
      • Pinterest
      • Instagram

      Vinjatek
      Facebook Twitter Instagram
      • Home
      • About
      • Shop
      • Contact
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms & Conditions
      Vinjatek is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com
      Vinjatek™ Copyright © 2019 - 2022 Kooc Media Ltd. All rights reserved. Registered Company No.05695741 // Survival / Outdoors / Tactics / Gear

      Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.