Would you vacation in a country where you don't know the language?

My mother tongue language is English and have found that many people in the world speak that language. It might be there second or third language but lots of them a good to speaking that language. I am an experienced traveler. At the back of my travel guide book there is a language section. I use that to help me speak some of the local language. I had so much fun trying out Spanish in Guatemala I wanted to start learning that excellent language. I did a course in it and really enjoyed it. I went to Hungary in 1990. I had much difficulty with the language barrier. I met an Australian lady that was fluent in German. That is a helpful language to know when traveling in Eastern Europe. In 2003 I visited Montenegro and the bus timetable I couldn't work out because of the script it was in. The people did speak English there. In 2006 I went to Bulgaria where I had the most challenging time with the language. The script there looked like Russian. I had a misunderstanding booking a train and finding my way. I love traveling.

On the contrary, I have always felt that holidaying in a country where you don't know the local language can add to the sense of adventure. To me, adventure is a an essential part of any holiday. I eat things I don't normally eat, I see things I don't normally see, I wear things I don't normally wear, and I also communicate in ways that I don't usually do. I spent nearly 10 days once in a remote village in India - they didn't know what I was saying, and I didn't know what they were saying. But you know what, we got along just fine. And that was one of the most fun trips I have ever had. I guess that's my idea of adventure :)

i would love traveling to places especially in some other countries, even though they have different languages i love hearing and listening to the tones of their languages, i think that even if you are traveling to places which has a different language, there are still people there who knows how to speak english because it is the international language.

I think you should try to have a good idea of what certain words mean before you go over to a different country. There are parts of the united states like china town and other places that only speak a certain language as well. We went to london my freshman year of highschool and even though it was english it was a different english than what most of us were used to so we still had a lot to learn about the language over there even though english was considered the main language. i think its challenging but very educational at the same time.

if i had the choice, i would rather not. but if the trip is a prize and it is available to me for free, i would jump in at the first opportunity! . it would surely be difficult not knowing there language, but i can do my own research. english is international language so i am sure, there would be someone out there who can communicate with me in english; otherwise, a friendly smile or gesture would do the "trick" to portray an image of a "good-abiding" tourist.

Yes we did, we travel to China last July and we don't even know how to speak or understand Chinese, it is funny though. If they cannot understand English, action speaks louder than swords! lol!

The apprehension is understandable. But if our native language is English, we will be surprised that it is spoken in many parts of the world in different degrees. I have had the opportunity to travel to different countries in Asia and Europe (one of these days to US too, I hope)and communication has not been a problem, I always find people who can communicate in English. Not being able to speak the host's country's language can actually add more fun to our vacation. Cheers maezee!

Just A Bible is enough.haha A joke,please don't mind. well,I think,english can make it.On the other hand,knowing nothing about the native language is a good chance to touch the city by yourself,if you have enough courage.haha OK,money is the first one.

Off the beaten path it might be difficult to vacation in countries where you don't know the language, but the tourist areas will be all right. But it never hurts to try to learn some phrases that might come in handy and the natives will probably appreciate your efforts.

I have been to a quite a few countries where I don't speak the language, and it is not always easy, but I see it as a challenge. I always buy a dictionary and a phrasebook. Phrasebooks are great if I want to ask a question or something like that, but I also need a dictonary so that I can look up the words for instanse if there is a sign that I don't understand. I have always managed to communicate with people in one way or another. If the phrasebook doesn't work I use the sign language or drawings, I have learned to be a little creative

Interesting discussion! I actually don't mind visiting those countries, but ONLY WITH A GUIDE! Lol. Otherwise I wouldn't risk it. What if you got lost, and you can't ask the people or read the direction (in case the alphabet is different as well, like in japan etc). That would be a horrible experience!

I don't think its a bad idea. You should proboly at least learn general terms before you go. But no its not a bad idea. I'd bring a book of translations though, so that if I need to talk to someone I can communicate without having to talk in sign language lol.

If I am,I would hire a local guide,and I will also buy a map,if you go to a strange place,please do not be taken to the remote areas,especially girls,perhaps you may be cheated.by the way,when you arrive a conutry where you donot know the country' language,you'd better know the local customs and practices.In India,the locals do not eat beef,if you eat ,they will think you insult them.

yeah i would because a vacation is to get away weather you know the language or not. and some of the ppl where you go know english and stuff so u could just ask them what that means or what he asked you

It's more fun that way! :) Actually, in reality even if you go to a country where they don't speak English as their first language, people who speak English can generally be found in more touristy areas. I got a phrasebook so I could be a little more self sufficient and could veer off the beaten path, and it came in handy a lot of the time. Other than that, if you're there for a little while you will pick things up, and if all else fails, gesturing wildly can help (as well as get a few laughs). I've never had any really serious issues.

Sure, why not ? Once you can get around and do all the things you want to do it doesn't seem to be much of a problem. You're not living there, you're just on vacation. You might need a little book with the simple conversations people there use, though.

Absolutely - I have before and I will again! I think that it is worth visiting anywhere you can possibly go in this world, whenever you get the opportunity. Most places I've visited where I don't know the language, I made sure to try to speak as much as I could pick up, and natives were usually more than pleasant and happy to help. There's also something to be gained from going to a place where people do not speak English. It really opens your eyes to the fact that the Western world is not the be all end all, and there is a whole other side to things that most of us never stop to even consider.

I definitely would vacation in a country even though I don't know the language. I would also try to learn basic phrases before my travel date. I think most people appreciate when tourists make the effort to learn their language. And yes, I think most tourist areas know English, French or Spanish.

Yes, because language isn't the factor I consider when I want to choose a vacation place. I mainly look at the culture, attraction and the wheather, so the language really doesn't matter. Although it is a little inconvenient if you are totally ignorant about the language, but I would make sure that I learn some important phrases and sentence beforehand to make my trip easier. But mostly, I would assume that hopefully they will provide translation survices, or be able to communicate with English, or just bring a friend along who can speak the language.

That would be bomb. Then it would suck because you don't know what there saying. Especially if your like a person who cares about what everybody thinks I don't think you should do that. The reason why is because they might talk about you or something and you don't know what they said. I am one of those people who don't care. So I would go just to have fun! Than it would be a good experience just to go maybe you might even learn there language.