In a Foreign Country! Can't Speak the Language! Now What?

Hi artistry, well I've done that one and it is just ludicrous to not try and learn the language though I know many many people who don't bother, or even take lessons but are too afraid to use it. I taught myself some basics first and continued to teach myself and went out saying everything in the present tense, mispronouncing words, having no clue about structure or genders on words or any of it, but everyone appreciated the fact I was attempting it. Even now I struggle some days but can do everything for myself. I have no trouble making myself understood, even with many errors, but have always found it much more difficult understanding back. I was in town today and needed a few things which I actually didn't know the name of at all, but could describe what I needed and find it that way. I find it easier often if the other person understands not a word of English as it forces me more.

This is one tough situation to handle. I have never been out form my own country just yet and if I were to go somewhere where I could not understand nor speak their language that would kill me somehow. English would be the only medium of communication left.

Some 30 years ago, I lived in Singapore for just over 2 years. There is no local language in Singapore...There is English, Malay, Chinese and Indian, Tamil I think but probably other dialects as well...same as Chinese...I know there was Mandarin and Cantonese and there were probably some others as well. I was lucky in that the shop boy who came everyday to see what groceries I wanted spoke some English and my amah spoke English, the taxi drivers spoke English, in the food shops at least one person spoke English, in fact, everywhere you go, English is spoken by someone usually. So, I don't think I would have a problem

Hi, artistry, I think it's okay for me. Because I can learn language from people local. Actually, it's a great opportunity to learn a language! Though it may be hard in the beginning! Haha...But I haven't been in this situation. I hope I can get this opportunity in the future!

I have lived in two different countries without speaking the language. It was hard in the beginning, and I felt left out, because I didn't understand what people were saying, but I definately don't regret it. It was a challenge and a very interesting experience. I am married now, and I have a home and many pets, so I can't just travel or live abroad like I did when I was younger, but if I had the chance to live in another country again, I would love to do it again. I learned so much and it was really interesting to live somewhere else for a while. When I arrived in the foreign country I only understood a few words, but when I had been there for a couple of months I was able to understand most of the conversation. I made many, many mistakes when I spoke the language, but people understood what I was trying to say and that was the most important thing. In the beginning I just listened and listened to the other people, and after a while I started to recognize some of the common words. When I heard some new words I looked them up in my dictionary or asked my co-workers. I asked many questions, and my co-workers were very friendly and the were happy to teach me their language. It was a fantastic feeling to understand the conversation for the first time. I was so happy when it happened. I never learned to speak the language fluently, but I learned to express myself in short and easy sentences, and my co-workers understood me despite my accent and my many mistakes.

When you go living in foreign country, language is the first thing you learn. Believe me, you will start speaking in less than a week, just out of necessity. when you try to learn a foreign language it can be really hard, but once you get in the country you have no other choice than to learnt it - and learn it fast

Before I went to the country I would try to learn some basic phrases in the language. When I arrived I would get some books and disks to help my knowledge of the language progress further. I would try out my language skills in the local community. I am sure that a language class would improve my command of the language. I am currently learning Spanish. If I spent one year in a Spanish speaking country in South America I would be speaking it really well I a sure. If I went to live in Japan that language would be far too challenging for me I imagine.

Don't know or understand enough of the language? in a nut shell? HAND GESTURES

I will have to experience this soon. I am sure I will manage I don't know much Spanish but I try to learn it and my husband is from Mexico and we will be going there within the next two years but I am sure I will have to learn the language and I heard when people do go there for awhile they always come back speaking the language better. I do understand most of it but it is still a little hard for me to speak it.

I would communicate by speaking English and hope they will understand. In most countries some of the people speak English so I would probably be alright for awhile. I would try to learn some of the common words in the language of the country I am in.