Traveling to another country brings people face-to-face with different cultures and people using different languages. Though it is not necessary to be very fluent in the local language of a country which a traveler wishes to visit, it would be advantageous to at least have a working knowledge of it. This means knowing and understanding the basic words, phrases, and sentences, that would make communication with the local people possible.
The Advantages of Knowing the Local Language
There are a number of good reasons why travelers should aim to have a working knowledge of local language of the countries they intend to visit and here are some:
1. Traveling becomes a lot easier.
It is a fact that traveling becomes a lot easier when foreign travelers know how to communicate with the locals. People are naturally more receptive of travelers who show effort in knowing the local language because it denotes respect. Knowing the common greetings and inquiries make tasks such as asking for directions simpler.
2. Learning about the culture becomes more fun.
Learning about the culture and the language actually works both ways. Learning Thai for example makes learning about Thai culture easier and vice versa. When learning is easy, it becomes more fun and immersion in the culture can become effortless.
3. Long-lasting relationships develop.
One of the more common barriers in developing long-term friendships is the language barrier. When no one takes the effort to learn the language of the other, communication is very difficult. Difficulty in communication rarely encourages forging of permanent ties involving new-found friends in other countries.
4. Business goals are achieved faster.
Traveling businessmen or company representatives can help themselves achieve their business goals faster when equipped with the knowledge of the language. For business purposes however, a certain level of proficiency or expertise may be necessary. Unlike in leisure travel where minimal knowledge is acceptable, foreign business travels will require more preparation.
5. Language knowledge maximizes the potentials of travel.
Travel is a great mind stimulant . It encourages people to discover what they wouldn’t normally be able to if they stayed at home. Language knowledge will support the desire to discover and explore.
Travelers can choose to travel without bothering to learn about the culture and language of the country of destination. This however limits to a large degree the total experience of visiting a foreign land. If a traveler desires to maximize the potentials of his or her trip, having a working knowledge of the local language is a must for travel.
About the Author:
Teresa is a researcher-writer who covers a wide range of topics in search of useful information to offer to her readers. She currently maintains four personal blogs.