Travel Skills: Hurdling the Language Barrier

Today's Europe is increasingly bilingual — and English is its second language. You can manage just fine by being polite, and starting conversations with the question, "Do you speak English?" For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit www.ricksteves.com.

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[TheUnicorn4711]

It's difficult for US Americans growing up in the regions without a significant Spanish-speaking population to speak a language other than English. Even in regions with significant Spanish speakers (ie Miami) it is still difficult. Why? Because it's not economically important. An US American that speaks French, for example, is only likely to achieve about 3% higher pay. Most often, the best time to learn the other language would be at Uni, when there are other subjects to study.

[sodrunkimissedthshow]

i get this all the time, american tourists who absolutely want a foto of my mohawk, so one who had already taken a few pics from a distance without asking, suddenly comes up to me with his eyes extremely wide open speaking english extremely slowly, as if i was a retarded person.. if you dont speak the language of the country you are visiting ok it is rude to just assume everyone knows your language, but dont provoke us, because we DO react to your ignorance

feedback is appreciated

[Tizmaole]

@GAP4EVER It would seem more accurate to say that he only speaks English FLUENTLY; his own account suggests that he at least knows a few words in other languages. (Remember how he says, "After a couple of sentences in their language..."?)

[GAP4EVER]

@noodleninjaa Exactly, Rick's a smart guy and it did surprise me a bit when he admits he only speaks English.

[11moonelf]

maybe..but still a good idea to at learn at least some of the basics re:the language of a visited country/nation/territory...it'­s thoughtful and most often appreciated by locals, even if we are not great at it. believe me, they will let you know if they prefer to talk with you in english after that, lol! but i think those of us that are westerners,esp., can at least make more of an effort, be less culturally biased in our own favor.

[noodleninjaa]

I'm very surprised for as long as RS been covering Europe he hasn't picked up another language.

[thaifaq]

I have found that matching the English grammar and pronunciation of the country I'm in really helps with the communication. Teachers will probably cringe that you are encouraging the locals to speak improper English but in my travels I have found that to be the best way to help the conversation.