When you are on traveling, may be you will visit some countries where the English is not the mother tongue. Although people may know some words here and there, but you may occasionally come unstuck whilst facing this language barrier. In this situation, the alternative communication strategy is the Key.
Well-Known Gestures
People who has seen the film Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, will know that the communication strategy involving the gestures can sometimes be difficult – especially when trying to explain to a German pharmacy full of people that you may or may not be pregnant. However, there are some phrases that can be expressed using the same expressions in around the world. The symbol for ‘OK’ for instance, is expreesed by making a circle with thumb and forefinger wherever you are. A thumbs-up is also a universally recognised sign of appreciation, joy and happiness. With logic, a thumbs down is the opposite, though the only time that might concern you if you are sightseeing a colloseum in Italy when you see it with reference of Gladiator-another famous film). Other global understood gesture is the smacking lips or rubbing the stomach which conveys the facts that you are very satisfied with the food or meals you have eaten : do not forget to check you are in the eyeline of the chef when you do it and might you will get a larger helping of pudding coming your way.
A Numbers Game
Another thing that does not change, wherever you are in the world, the finger is used to communicate numbers. We all learn to count in the same way, and for most of us have the same number of fingers, means that this is one of the communication strategies you can really trust while you are abroad. Whether you are trying to find out the price of something in the store, try to haggle with a stall keeper in a market, or trying to find out the time of excursion, if you do not know the number in the local language then do not panic – digits are a great deal in helping at this situation.
Art Abroad
We may not have the talent of Van Gogh about drawing, but if you can hold a pencil, then you can use the art when you desperate need to use a communication strategy. If you can not find the words, gestures or numbers to make someone understand what you are talking about, then the easiest way to enlighten them is to draw them a picture. If you are looking for something special, like food or a church, you can simply draw the object that you are searching for. Media of art can be very incredibly useful when trying to communicate through a language barriers.
So, if you travel abroad next time, do not worry about choosing your destination according to how well you can speak their language, or how well they can speak yours. There are many communication strategies that do not change and very useful, makes you feel at your own home though you are still at the other side of the world.