Don’t be an “ugly American” while travelling abroad: These tips will help when communicating in a different language
A recent Preply survey revealed that while 80% of Americans believe learning basic phrases before traveling is important, only 58% actually make the effort to do so.
Speaking louder, making exaggerated hand gestures and losing one’s temper can all result from the frustration of not being able to communicate in a foreign language.
China (37%), Japan (34%), and South Korea (23%) top the list of countries that Americans find most intimidating when it comes to speaking the local language.
A recent Preply survey showed that while many Americans had great intentions to learn basic phrases when travelling abroad, only 58% of these actually carried this promise off.
Tips on how to communicate abroad
Communicating in a different language can be challenging, but it’s also a rewarding experience with the patience, being flexible, and respectful keys to achieving some success.
1. Simplify Your Language
Use simple, clear words. Avoid jargon, slang, idioms, and complex vocabulary. Keep sentences short. Long, convoluted sentences are difficult to follow and translate. Speak slowly and clearly. Don’t shout. Enunciate your words to make them easier to understand.
2. Leverage Non-Verbal Communication
Use body language and gestures. Hand movements, facial expressions, and posture can help convey your meaning. Just be mindful that gestures can have different meanings in different cultures. Use visual aids. Pictures, diagrams, maps, or even drawing on a piece of paper can be incredibly helpful for explaining concepts.
3. Be a Patient and Active Listener
Listen carefully. Pay close attention to what the other person is saying and their non-verbal cues.
Be comfortable with silence. Allow time for the other person to process what you’ve said and formulate their response.
Ask for clarification. Don’t be afraid to say, “Can you repeat that?” or “What do you mean by that?”
4. Check for Understanding
Confirm that your message was understood. You can ask open-ended questions like, “What do you think about...?” or “Are you following me?”
Summarize or rephrase. If you are not sure you were understood, try saying the same thing in a different way.
5. Show Respect and Cultural Awareness
Learn a few basic phrases. Knowing how to say “hello,” “please,” and “thank you” in the local language shows respect and goes a long way.
Be aware of cultural differences. Research common social norms, greetings, and communication styles of the culture you are interacting with. For example, direct communication is valued in some cultures, while indirect communication is more common in others.
6. Use Technology
Utilize translation apps. Tools like Google Translate can be very useful for translating words, phrases, and even signs. Many apps have an offline mode, which is helpful when you don’t have an internet connection.
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