Here are a few basic language aids for those of you that are “daring” or rather polite enough to try to go beyond English or whatever native languages
you have. Remember that trying to say even two or three things in the local
language signals that you are not the average tourist, and it may open doors
for you. This is especially so where your predominant language is an international “power” language and the language of the place you visit is a little known one. But
please make sure people understand that you are genuinely interested in a
language and culture, that you are not making fun of them. (This is particularly
important where there is a tradition of regarding minority languages as being “funny,” inferior and inconsequential.)
Contents
Here are a few basic language aids for those of you that are “daring” or rather polite enough to try to go beyond English or whatever native languages
you have. Remember that trying to say even two or three things in the local
language signals that you are not the average tourist, and it may open doors
for you. This is especially so where your predominant language is an international “power” language and the language of the place you visit is a little known one. But
please make sure people understand that you are genuinely interested in a
language and culture, that you are not making fun of them. (This is particularly
important where there is a tradition of regarding minority languages as being “funny,” inferior and inconsequential.)
