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If you're off travelling, the chances are you'll be visiting countries where English is not the mother tongue. Though people may know a few words here and there, you may occasionally come unstuck whilst facing a language barrier. In these situations, alternative communications strategies are key.
Well-Known Gestures
Anyone who's seen the film Bridget Jones: the Edge of Reason, will know that communications strategies involving gestures can sometimes be difficult - particularly when trying to explain to a German pharmacy full of people that you may or may not be pregnant. However, there are some phrases and sentiments that can be expressed using the same expressions the world over. The symbol for 'ok' for example, is expressed by making a circle with your thumb and forefinger wherever you are. A thumbs-up is also a universally recognised sign of appreciation, enjoyment and happiness. By logic, a thumbs-down is the opposite, though the only time that might concern you is if you're sightseeing a coliseum in Italy when you see it (with reference to that other famous film, Gladiator). Another globally understood gesture is the smacking of lips or rubbing of the stomach, which conveys the fact that you're very happy with the food or meal you've been eaten; be sure to check you're in the eyeline of the chef when you do it and you might just find a larger helping of pudding coming your way.
A Numbers Game
Another thing that doesn't change, wherever you are in the world, is the way in which fingers can be used to communicate numbers. We all learn to count in the same way, and for the most part we all have the same number of fingers, meaning that this is one of the communications strategies you can really rely on whilst you're abroad. Whether you're trying to find out the price of something in a shop, trying to haggle with a stall keeper at a market, or trying to find out the time of an excursion, if you don't know your numbers in the language of the country you're visiting then don't panic - digits are a great deal of help in this situation.
Art Abroad
We may not all have Van Gogh's talents when it comes to drawing, but if you can hold a pencil then you can use art when you're in desperate need of communications strategies. If you can't find the words, gestures or numbers to make someone understand what you're asking, then the simplest way to enlighten them is to draw them a picture. If you're looking for something in particular such as food or a church, you can simply draw the object it is you're searching for. If however, you're trying to find an activity, you'll be amazed at how much information people can glean from a stick man. If you are looking for a boat trip, simply draw a stick man in a boat, if you are looking for a fishing trip, simply draw a man in a fishing boat holding a rod. The medium of art can be incredibly useful when trying to communicate through a language barrier.
So, next time you go abroad, don't worry about choosing your destination according to how well you speak their language, or how well they speak yours. There are many communications strategies that do not change, and are as useful the other side of the world as they are at home.
