The Language Barrier @$#^%*&

[Poppz]

Hi,

Any suggestions on how to break the language barrier? I'm a little old and close to being out of time to take a Spanish course right now. Also time contraints make it a little ruff. I'm looking for any ideas on the Spanish language and how I might be able to converse ( Basically ) when I'm on the Camino. If anyone has any suggestions I am open to all. I know this will be a stumbling block, but I am hoping to get a basic concept of the language prior to leaving. Also my school days have been over for some time now.

Help......

Poppz

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Smile.
Hand gestures.
Find a translator for the complex stuff.
Louder is not better, particularly if you are using English.
Observe. You may not need to ask.
Don't be needy. If you can't communicate, well then, you can't communicate. The world doesn't need to understand you (or me either).
Do without.

 

[ffp13]

The Language Barrier @$#^%*&

I follow a simple rule, he who has the money chooses the language, if seeking help etc and you are not buying then make an attempt to cominicate in their language, after all we are a guest in their home.


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I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?royva2

 

[sillydoll]

You could buy a digital translator. Amazon sell talking translators from about $13 to $200.

 

[tyrrek]

I follow a simple rule, he who has the money chooses the language, if seeking help etc and you are not buying then make an attempt to cominicate in their language, after all we are a guest in their home.

What a depressing idea!

I prefer Falcon's 'smile' suggestion. And basic greetings. 'Hola, buenas!' is fine at any time of day so you don't have to worry about whether it's 'Buenos dias' or 'Buenas tardes'. Gracias, adios! when leaving a bar restaurant etc.

I've said elsewhere that body language is very important. Be confident, not a shrinking violet. If you turn up in a bar/shop smiling and confident with a 'Hola, buenas!' you might not get an immediate response but you've announced your arrival and shown willingness to communicate in Spanish or at least Spanglish.

Watch how the locals behave towards each other in these types of situations. It will be different from home, and may even appear a bit rude at first, but it's just a different way.

There have been a few threads on language recently, so search them out.

Buen Camino!

 

[Poppz]

Thanks all,

I guess money talks...... That's the plan then. I got through the Czech Republic last year on my happy face and a please and thank you, so I think I can do this. It should be fun. Good people are good people and always seem to go the extra mile to help others. That's something I've found to be true. That's the Universal Language.

 

[picosrider]

Hi,Any suggestions on how to break the language barrier? I'm looking for any ideas on the Spanish language and how I might be able to converse ( Basically ) when I'm on the Camino. Help......Poppz

See this thread, it might offer some help. The idea was to learn the minimum to get by in speaking Spanish. See frequently-asked-questions/topic14029.html

 

[Abbeydore]

Smile.
Hand gestures.
Find a translator for the complex stuff
Louder is not better, particularly if you are using English.
Observe. You may not need to ask.
Don't be needy. If you can't communicate, well then, you can't communicate. The world doesn't need to understand you (or me either).
Do without.

YES SMILE, you'll be amazed how someone wants to help someone else with a smile

 

[duncan pm]

let's not confuse language with communication - we can use the same language and not communicate what we mean or understand each other without use the same word system.
understanding via words is easily overrated. Listening has worth beyond talking.
Mere functional nouns, a smattering of adjectives and a couple of preterite verbs are easily garnered.
Anyway - I love the discipline of silence, I could talk about it for hours.

 

[viajero]

At home, while on walks, I listen to books while walking. I got a French language cd from the library and listened to it on my walks. The one I listened to was Pimsleur. It is not the greatest teacher in the world but it doesn't hurt and gave me some basics (I was trying to learn French).

 

[Abbeydore]

A smile to a farmer, on my Camino, shake of the hands, a hug & this Spanish farmer & I will be friends for ever

Made his day & mine, a beautiful camino moment ...........no words , there was a lot of communication......