English language difficulties in Europe
 

Hi,
Just wondering about other english speakers experiences with the local languages while travelling through Europe?
How do they cope and how many people in countries like france, germany, and italy speak english?
Thanks

english is the main language of europe. it is spoken by non-native english speaking europeans as common ground (e.g. a frenchman visiting poland will usually speak english). it is easy to get around europe with just english.

that said, it's nice to speak a bit of the local languages in order to:

-connect better with locals
-smooth over situations where english might not be well understood
-teach yourself something new

but practically speaking, english IS the language of europe. not saying that everyone speaks it but it is generally accepted as the standard when dealing with or interacting with foreigners.

Turn it around a bit: it will be assumed that, if you are obviously unable to speak the language of the country you're in, you're more likely than not either to be a monoglot Anglophone they just have to cope with, or to have some understanding of English rather than another language.

That's not to say there's no need to try to speak something of the local language, still less that there's no need to try to meet the locals halfway, linguistically speaking.

Do NOT assume that you can just launch into English and there'll be no problems.

I found that if I start out in local language, that they usually take pity on me pretty quickly and try to use their English. You don't need much: hello, please, thank you, numbers 1 to 10, I don't understand. If you keep your eyes open, you can learn to "read" exit, entrance, restrooms.

Carry a phrasebook (and use it to learn "hello," "goodbye," "please," "thank you.") If you can't make yourself understood by reading the phrase aloud, simply point to it and the native can point to the answer. I have done this in Denmark, Romania...

Hi trip, I traveled to Italy last year,and hit big citys ,small towns, and also went to my parents towns where they were born, population less than 800,and I found it is very helpful to learn a few phrases,just the basic stuff. The further from the cities the harder it is to communicate,I always learn please thank you and excuse me,and of cause how much,I was told by my family who many still live in Italy they feel it is very lazy if traveling and you don't take a few minutes to learn a little. my personal experience was when you spoke Italian the people were much more friendly.Then if you have an Italian sur name you hit the lotto, on my visit we were given free deserts ,lace and small gifts when shopping.They seemed like they wanted to know all about us?I found the more you participate the more you get in return.I also took a book with phrases etc. the problem with books when they respond your lost again.I would let the people I am speaki

Hi trip, I traveled to Italy last year,and hit big citys ,small towns, and also went to my parents towns where they were born, population less than 800,and I found it is very helpful to learn a few phrases,just the basic stuff. The further from the cities the harder it is to communicate,I always learn please thank you and excuse me,and of cause how much,I was told by my family who many still live in Italy they feel it is very lazy if traveling and you don't take a few minutes to learn a little. my personal experience was when you spoke Italian the people were much more friendly.Then if you have an Italian sur name you hit the lotto, on my visit we were given free deserts ,lace and small gifts when shopping.They seemed like they wanted to know all about us?I found the more you participate the more you get in return.I also took a book with phrases etc. the problem with books when they respond your lost again.Good luck.

I took an Italian for the traveler class at our local college and it really helped me. It was just polite to be able to say some basic things and most Italians were eager to try to speak English with us when they heard we were Americanos. Have a good trip!

Hi t,

In large cities in Europe, nearly all of the people with whom you will come in contact speak some English or will find someone who does.

In addition, a pad and pencil is very useful.

I was able to have a tire replaced in a small town in France without using a word of English and only a smattering of French.

((I))

I agree with the other comments that it is helpful to have a few phrases, although I speak some other languages, when I go somewhere where I do not I always learn the phrase for "do you speak English" as well as the please, thank you, excuse me, etc in the local language. It helps break the ice and looks as if you are making some effort.
That said, you will find little difficulty in the main cities, but more challenges elsewhere. Small dictionaries can be useful particularly if you have food dislikes and in some places menus do not have translations.

Like mentionned before, you will generally find someone speaking a least a bit of english in cities, but don't expect this to happen very often in the countryside (people may have learnt some english at school but have no use of it in real life and after several years ...).
Also don't neglect the borders' areas factors, for instance while 70% of the kids have english as a second language in Paris, they are only 20% in Alsace (where 80% of the people speak decent german beside french). Same with most bordering regions; the 2nd language is the neighbours' one. How many peole speak more than 2 languages where you live ?

Somewhat unrelated, but there was a great little product that they showcased in the 2006 CompuWorld that listened to one speak in english and then translated it (verbally) with surprisingly high accuracy in five/six languages. Cost something like $1000. Obviously I am not recommending it or anything but can you imagine if one plans to be abroad for extended periods of time or frequently enough, and can take a nifty little device that does the talking or helps you learn it all? Forgot the manufacturer but I thought it was very cool.

"it is easy to get around Europe with just English".

I'm not sure I agree with that. I think it may depend on where you go and what you do. And the age of the people with whom you are trying to communicate.

In all of Europe folk under 25 are likely to speak some English, because as walkin says, it is becoming the lingua franca of the EU. In Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark many more middle aged people speak English than in the Southern European countries.

As an example - you can go into a supermarket in Spain and struggle to understand, and if it's a young checkout person (schoolkid or uni student) they will immediately switch to English. You'll have to keep trying if it's a middle aged matron. And in most places where tourists are expected to pitch up, anywhere on the continent, someone will speak English.

But go into a small shop or eatery just a little way off the tourist track in Madrid, or Rome or Venice or Paris, or almost anywhere in a small country place, and this will not be true.

As for making travel arrangements - even at the main bus and train stations, don't count on all the counter staff speaking English. The young ones will, the older ones might not.

I've traveled pretty extensively in Europe and don't speak anything more than a very few phrases in any language, and am unable to understand even basics when spoken to me. That said, I've never had a major problem with the language barrier. France and Italy have been no problem, even in smaller towns. Germany has provided a few more problems. We stayed in a nice smallish hotel in a smaller town where no one spoke a WORD of English. Yet on arrival they managed to show us a couple rooms to choose from (we had prepaid) and in the morning at breakfast there was money on our table. It seems we must have picked a room that was cheaper than what we had paid for (we liked the one with a shower rather than the huge bathtub). But then I've really good at Charades, too!

By the way, want to go where there seems to be no barrier at all with English? It's Scandanavia, where even all the American and British TV shows are played in English with their own language subtitles. I can't remember running into anyone during six weeks in the Scandinavian countries who didn't have a good working grasp of English.

Anymore most school kids learn English in school. Also, in this day of CNN, people say they learned english by watching it.

I know greetings and pleasantries in several languages. But beyond that I just try to be organized so I am not in the situation of having to ask for information from strangers. I do not expect people to speak English, except perhaps at the hotel front desk or a tourist bureau.

<<<Also, in this day of CNN, people say they learned english by watching it.<<
How many people do you think get (and even more watch) CNN in continental Europe ? (the english speaking TV/radio - when used - is more often BBC)

Anyone who believes that everyone in Europe speaks English, or even lots of languages, should go to the website for the EU (www.europa.eu) and find the Eurobarometer study on learning languages.

Half of all Europeans speak only their "mother tongue"!

Only 34% of European speak English as a 2nd language.

While 51% of Germans can speak English, only 34% of French and 29% of Italians can.

After English, German is the most common 2nd language. On the western European continent, more people speak German as a first OR second language than speak English (as a 2nd language; few speak it as a 1st language). But German language use is less evenly distributed.

The most likely to speak English are professionals engaged in international business, who you are unlikely to meet, or those people working in tourism in areas frequented by international tourists.

I recently spent a week in an area in the Black Forest that is popular with German tourist but little known to Americans. Only one person spoke English to me in the entire week. Then I went to the middle Rhine, an area popular with Americans, and it seemed like everyone spoke English (actually, the 30ish couple from whom I rented a room in Boppard never spoke English to me).

Despite the fact that not everyone in Europe speaks English, it is still the "common" language in Europe. English is spoken as a 2nd language by about as many people as speak all other languages put together as 2nd languages. About 3/4 of all bi- and multi-lingual European speak English.

Recently, on the middle Rhine, I watched in amusement as a K-D boat master arranged a charter with the director of a Chinese tour group - in English. When he finished I looked at him and said, "English". He replied that that was the only language they both knew.

When I was at a cafe in Paris a couple of months ago, two gentlemen sitting at the next table were conversing in french and english. I don't think either of them were American..I didn't ask for a passport, but I just don't think either of them were. They were going back and forth between english and french. I was thinking that perhaps one of them spoke better english than french and when the french got difficult they would swith to english, which perhaps both of them could speak better. I just found it to be interesting.

My friend and I had to go to an electronics store..she blew her phone charger out...long story..but anyway, the proprietor was a very sweet man who was apologizing for his lack of english and my french is NOT good enough to try to explain anything very complicated, so I was very grateful when a young man who had entered the store behind us, stepped up and helped us. He was french, young, and spoke pretty good english. The one work we DID understand and it wasnt' french, was KAPUT!!!!! in reference to her phone charger. LOL

I now live in France 6 months of the year. I have 6 friends in Paris that I hang out with and only 1 speaks considerable English. The one thing they all find extremely annoying is the Americans who start a conversation in English without first asking if you speak English. It gives them the impression that you think everyone should speak English and shows a lack of respect for their own French language. This of course leads to the popular opinion among many Americans that the French are rude.

Larry J

I think that pat is right on with his/her suggestion about young people. Most have learned some English in school and are more keen (less inhibited) to use it. If and when you have to find something out, try approaching a teenager - I think you will also find then less intimidating than at home.

It appears to me that if you can speak Spanish, and English you can get around most places--and like the above posters say, learn enough phrases to let them know you are trying. I advise my students to learn Spanish, whatever else they do language wise. I think most of the southern hemisphere, with the exception of Brazil, speaks Spanish, plus most of the day workers around here, and half my little nephews class mates. WE are going to be a dual language country soon, whether we like it or not.

larry...what about germans who go to france and speak english...poles, swedes, danes, chinese, russians, czechs, etc, etc??? all just as likely to speak english in france as americans and many who also think/expect that everyone should speak english.

anyone in europe who wants to be at all cosmopolitan in his career or social life will speak english. otherwise, they are bound largely by their small territory of their country (or their country's former empire in the case of france). if they choose a second language besides english, this doesn't give them nearly the opportunities. in international circles (social, business, scientific, educational, etc) english is a must.

i realise that this is not the politically correct view on this board but it is the truth in europe today. english is not just another language.

Like others said, just learn some very basic phrases-please, thank you, where is...etc. Many times people will answer you in english if you at least attempt a few words in their language, but don't COUNT on being able to speak english with people. If you go to very heavily touristed cities, most everyone you encounter in the tourist trade (hotels, etc) will speak some english. The more off the beaten path you go, the less you will find english speakers.

I've been to countries where I spoke nothing but please and thank you. I just did lots of pointing and lots of looking up words (like menu items) inmy pocket dictionary. It really won't hurt your trip to not speak the language, though obviously if you do you can have a richer experience.

And just remember-it's not THEIR responsibility to be able to communicate with you if you can't make yourself understood. Don't ask if they speak english IN english (ask in their language), don't start talking loudly when trying to make yourself understood (like that is going to make a non-english speaker understand you!), and don't try to get complicated with asking about menu items. I've seen so many American tourists who have found a waiter that does speak a little english drill him about menu items, and the poor guy is doing the best he can, but doesn't understand all of their questions). Keep it simple and don't get frustrated with others.

"The one thing they all find extremely annoying is the Americans who start a conversation in English without first asking if you speak English. It gives them the impression that you think everyone should speak English and shows a lack of respect for their own French language. This of course leads to the popular opinion among many Americans that the French are rude."
>>>>>>>>>>>>&g t;>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>

Does it not also lead to the popular opinion among many French that the Americans are rude?

In Russia, even in big towns like St. Petersburg and Moscow, english speaking locals are rare, but recently are on the rise (especially those working in the tourism industry/tourism related industry). The vendors, people in shops/malls, other than that, I think it may be a little tough to travel here without a clear idea.

Imagine me, in my first week in Russia, literally communicating with Russians with a my fingers and expression, using a lot of 'etot' 'etot' (this, this). That's a loooong time ago! I speak fluent Russian now, thankfully.

Now, I'm embarking a journey through countries that speak German, French, Dutch, Flemish, Italian... I'm going to be a bit worried to be thrown back all over again into that unfamiliar feeling.

All those aside, can somebody lead me to a good website listing useful phrases in Italian and German? The books sold here all translates other languages to Russian, not as helpful as I could wish it to be.

I was wondering the same thing - how will I manage in Barcelona without Spanish (trying to learn some phrases with an online course at the moment)? I don't expect my French and German to be useful.

French and Catalan are rather similar. I had no problems whith French (and English) in Barcelona. No need to worry :-). However, there are many "Spanish immigrants" living there :D

I stayed in an apartment in a very residential (as opposed to touristy or commercial) area of the 7th arrondisement. I was having some sinus problems, and decided to go to the pharmacy across the street. I greeted the salesperson in French and asked if anyone spoke English, and was a little surprised that no one came forward. So, I used what little French vocabulary I remembered from some college French (think I said, "J' ai besion de quelque chose pour la nez." Please don't laugh at my French), which combined with pointing to my nose, managed to get the clerk to hand me some medicine which proved very effective. I think that simply by pointing and gesturing, someone with even less exposure to French would have gotten the same result.

As long as you aren't trying to engage in complex communications, the lack of a common language between you and any Europeans you encounter is unlikely to pose a significant problem.

Thank you, logos999. Or should I say gracias? I have another 3 weeks to practice.

I have found that (as others have mentioned) that if you can't speak the local language in Europe the first thing you say is hello (good day, etc.) in the local language. It is always polite to greet someone before you start speaking. Then you ask (in the local language-you can learn this phrase in any guidebook-if they speak English). Don't just walk up to someone and start speaking English without these polite civilities.

I've also found that of those who don't speak English they are more willing to help you if you follow that rule and say it with a smile.

Also, don't worry so much about grammar or getting the article correct (i.e. the masculine/feminine nouns, the verb tense, etc).

My brother, who was trying very hard to learn Italian, would spend so much time trying to get every word of the sentence correct that he would still be figuring it out long after my husband would say (with a smile) in a tone reflecting a question "olive oil", we'd have our bottle and be out of the shop before my brother had worked out the correct verb tense. (no criticism of my brother, he has since studied Italian in Bologna and become quite proficient). But for our basic tourist Italian we fared better at getting what we needed at that time.

Also another trick I have learned it that if even if learn to speak a few words and ask a question in the local language my ear is not well trained enough to understand the answer. So now I carry a small pad and pen and ask them (learn this in the local language) "please write". If I don't understand the cost, or which track number for the train to Vienna, where the post office is, I simply ask them to please write it down., Important- learn the difference between the printing of the numbers one and seven in Europe!

Just to say that in many parts of Europe, you don't have to go far from the tourist trail to find local people speaking only their own language.

In my area, there are very few English speakers.

Peter

Right on, neopatrick. It does. You can get by in Europe with just English, but you'll open up more doors, win more hearts, get better rewards, leading to all sorts of wonderful unlooked-for experiences and generosities, if you take the trouble to learn at least enough of the local language to greet people in it and ask "Can you speak English" in it.

>Or should I say gracias?
It's "Gràcies" in the local language. :-). Learing a few words of Catalan will make a lasting impression.

<<Also, in this day of CNN, people say they learned english by watching it.<<

We have it here in Switzerland and every hotel in Paris that I've stayed in and also the thalasso spas in Bretagne have it. In fact, in Carnac it was the only English station.

I'm an American who moved over to Switzerland 8 years ago and had just a little bit of French from courses taken years earlier and I live in a fairly large city, Lausanne, and not many of the local people speak English. It all depends on socio-economic background, education, not just age. It's been a struggle to master the language because I work in English and don't have to speak it that often but realize that it's necessary for my everyday life of shopping, etc.

What's odd is that when I am in Italy and someone speaks Italian to me I automatically respond in French! It surprises me every time it happens but it's consistent! I never use English there at all.

>We have it here
It's unencryted on the Astra satellites (ZDF free TV bouquet) that is used by the majority of European TV viewers. So basically "everyone" can watch CNN. FOX is encoded as pay-tv and only available in certain countries (Spain, Italy, not Germany)

This thread is interesting and on point: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...mp;tid=1011767

I have a standard list of "must learn" words and phrases I feel I have to learn before I travel to a new country. If I learn these I have found it makes life easy, it is greatly appreciated and others will speak English if they know it or we can both resort to pantomime and it remains friendly. My standard phrases are:
Hello, goodbye, please, thank you, excuse me, I'm sorry,and I don't speak (insert language here), do you speak English?
I have found that enter, exit, toilet and those words are picked up very quickly. Does anyone else have must learn phrases to add to the list?

Where ever I go abroad I prepare and laminate some small "idiot" cards with some basic phrases on each. I have one with words like how much is.. what is that... etc. another one with hello, thankyou, excuse me. One for use in a restaurant etc.