Though English is the universal language we accept but not the necessary one. Everyone around you doesn't have to speak or understand this. Business travelers tend to face language barriers due to different languages in different places.
It's not easy to learn a specific language each time for business travel. But it is easy to adopt some methods to make your trip smooth. This is not a language crash course! So, just relax and follow this to overcome the language barrier in your international business travel.
Learn Some Basic Phrases
It's not possible to learn a native language or do a crash course. The thing that can help you is your speaking skills while traveling to different places for business. One should at least learn some basic terms to make communication a little easier, like how to say hello, thank you, how much this costs, and where is this place. Along with these words, learn some basic terms, such as exits, entry, toilets, water, bus stops, and food items such as bread, milk, eggs, etc. This will be the easiest way to communicate and a good way of learning a new language.
Google Translator
To break this language barrier, ensure your mobile is charged and use Google Translator, the coolest feature of your device. Just scan through your camera and know what is written in your comfortable language. Download some translator tools and a road map of the place you are visiting for your business travel. This digital era is a savior for sure, so be familiar with the technologies and get your way through.
Carry a Word Dictionary
What if you are in no network area or your phone runs out of battery? There could be anything; you cannot be so reliable just on technology. To avoid being stuck in such conditions, always carry a dictionary and a road map. If you are not able to understand or explain, just find it in the dictionary and make your work simple. The same goes for your location, as it will be easy for you to ask for a place by indicating it on the map. Always carry a dictionary.
Be Creative
It's important to be creative and smart to survive in an unfamiliar place and environment. Creativity and smartness will always make your work look easy. If someone is not able to understand your words, you can clearly show an image or indicate on the map. Doing so will make it more understandable to others and easy for you to get your work done. Smartness is the key to getting anything resolved. Just show your smarts and be creative in explaining your things, and watch it become easy and no such language barriers will occur.
Ask, Don't Assume!
It's difficult to get things correct at once if you are in a new place. You are unknown to a place; it's better to ask and get your doubts clear rather than assuming things and doing wrong. Suppose you are on the way and ask a native to direct you to your destination. He explained, and you didn't get what he said; you just assumed and went to the wrong place. This assumption will lead you to the wrong place and will get you delayed in your official work too. It's better to ask and get the misunderstanding resolved in the very first place.
Be Polite and Clear
Be polite and humble while talking to anyone. Being polite will set a good impression on others, even if you are not able to explain yourself. The locals do understand and are helpful to the one who offers kind gestures to them. Most importantly, you are not familiar with them; you do not know whether the other person understands English or not. The same goes for them; you are also new to them. And to not go wrong while explaining yourself, one must be polite and clear. You do not always have to show your fluent English; instead, be understandable enough to speak slowly and with clarity.
Don't Lose Your Cool
It does get confusing and frustrating when you think someone does not understand you after trying so many times. In this case, patience is the key and the biggest part of overcoming this language barrier. Don't lose your cool. Try again to be gentle to others and yourself too; everyone makes mistakes. It's okay if you did not make it clear or others did not understand well. Communication is a two-way process, so don't blame yourself! Relax and try again to get your point across.
You are ready now!
You don't share a common language with someone, but you can communicate with kind gestures, smart work, patience, and speaking skills. Even when locals do speak English, they always appreciate travelers who take the time and learn about their language.
Hope all these tips will help you out. Make sure to follow these on your next business trip.
So for your next trip, pack your kindness, smart work, and patience along!
