How necessary is it to speak Spanish?

[billbennettoz]

I will be doing my first Camino in September. But I don't speak Spanish. Can I get by with just the very basics and with very expressive sign language?

 

[Anniesantiago]

You will be fine.

 

[D.Matthew]

You will find a few other posts dealing with this topic on the forum. You will be fine with basic Spanish. I would advise you to learn as much as you can, as I think the Camino is a richer experience with a better Spanish language understanding. It opens the door to more conversation, and more friendships. It also allows for more interaction with locals in the smaller villages. That being said, you will have no problem finding friends and food without Spanish fluency.

Drew

 

[billbennettoz]

You will find a few other posts dealing with this topic on the forum. You will be fine with basic Spanish. I would advise you to learn as much as you can, as I think the Camino is a richer experience with a better Spanish language understanding. It opens the door to more conversation, and more friendships. It also allows for more interaction with locals in the smaller villages. That being said, you will have no problem finding friends and food without Spanish fluency.

Drew

thank you Drew. I think on my training walks I will begin to listen to Learning Spanish audiobooks. ( although I might look a bit odd speaking Spanish to myself in rural Australia!)

 

[AJ]

I will be doing my first Camino in September. But I don't speak Spanish. Can I get by with just the very basics and with very expressive sign language?

If you are in Sydney, do a beginner's course at TAFE, or check the Spanish club on Liverpool St for language classes.

You will manage on the Camino Frances with no Spanish, but will have a more enjoyable experience if you do speak some.

Consider backpackers in Oz who spend all their time with other backpackers. They learn more about Sweden than Australia.

 

[wayfarer]

Bill, I would learn the basics, it will help you. There are many places where the people have no english, and why should they, we are visiting their country. If you try and speak Spanish they will help you out. It is also good manners to at least try. :arrow:

 

[brawblether]

As the others have said, you won't be troubled with little to no Spanish but I really regretted not having improved the basic few words that I knew when I walked. I was able to reply on others who spoke both English and Spanish when I needed to (for example, other walkers would help me at pharmacies etc) but I felt isolated from conversations and that I was always missing something. If you stop to do tours of some of the sights in tourist towns you may find that tours are only in Spanish.

So, whilst you won't NEED it, you'll WANT it

Buen camino!

 

[Stephen Nicholls]

As Wayfarer said, learn a few basic words.... Tea, coffee, please, thank you, bed, where is, how much, have you, I have, bus, train, numbers from one to twelve, good morning, good evening, etc.
It is pointless trying to learn much more unless you've several months or even years in which to do it. You will NOT be able to hold a conversation in the language with the locals, but a few basic words and a smile go a long way.
Having lived in Spain for many years, I still couldn't converse readily with the locals - they invariable used local dialects [imagine learning English, then having a chat with a broad Liverpudlian - or a Cockney!]
But learn the basic words, and take a tiny phrase book.
Buen camino!

Stephen.
http://www.calig.co.uk/camino_de_santiago.htm