I have a question for the seasoned travelers of this site. If one were to travel to one city for a short period of time, say for one week, what topics,aspects of daily-life would one want to know in the language? I have one already. I would say that asking directions and understanding the responses would be one the topics. Which phrase books and/or language courses are preffered by the readers of this site?

Some languages are more difficult for Westerners than others. For example, some Eastern languages are tonal. Thai has five tones, each denoting a different noun or verb, bearing no observable relationship to another. You simply must "parrot" what you hear, the same way you learned English as a child. You learn with your ear. And the best way to do that is to borrow a record or tape through or from your library containing key phrases: yes, no, where is the..., good morning, good evening. I speak several languages, some better than others, but the simple fact that one TRIES to speak the other person's language opens doors for one. It makes no difference -- Spanish, French, German, Swahili, Russian, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese -- a few key phrases will make the other person want to show YOU that they can speak some English. Try it!

Eric, <BR> <BR>I'll assume this is not a troll question. <BR> <BR>I think that the people at www.travlang.com know a thing or two about what it takes to learn introductory basics of a new language. they advise that you start with: <BR> <BR>Basic Words <BR>Numbers <BR>Shopping/Dining <BR>Travel <BR>Directions <BR>Places <BR>Time and Dates <BR> <BR>They offer this from/to about 70 different languages at www.travlang.com/languages - - it's a nice free place to start. <BR> <BR>The best CHEAP "give-me-a-taste" of what it sounds like, that I have found come from a company called Educational Services Corp., Washington, D.C., (202)298-8424 - - www.language30.com - - they have 33 languages. I feel sure they can be found readily at Barnes & Noble (maybe Amazon, many other sources); I have their Czech, Danish, Dutch, Norwegian and Polish. There is hardly any book with them - - less than the size of an index card - - and maybe 30-40 pages - - and an exact copy of what is on the four tapes. <BR> <BR>I think this helps to make yourself SAY OUT LOUD what you are learning. To learn to communicate ORALLY in a language, I think that you MUST make yourself SPEAK it. But don't kid yourself; learning to succeed in listening comprehension is VERY hard. In many languages, I can ask directions flawlessly - - and sometimes I understand about 5% of what I get in replies. <BR> <BR>Don't think that "book learning" is unimportant. Reading comprehension can go a long way - - and often I can understand when someone shows me a brochure, even if I might not understand the exact same sentences spoken to me. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

In any language, the problem is not learning how to pronounce a question, but understanding the answer. I have learned to phrase my questions so that the answer will be simple. For example, instead of asking "where is the train station?," I ask "which way is the train station," which usually motivates someone to point when they answer. It is also useful to have a pad and pen available, because the subject of so much communication will involve numbers (e.g., how much to pay the taxi driver, etc.), and, at least in Europe, someone can write down an amount in characters that you will understand. In my experience, communicating with someone in a foreign language is as much an exercise in creative thinking as it is in memorizing phrases.

Dear Rex, <BR>This is not a "troll" question. I was honest in asking it. Thank you for your detailed and thoughtful answer. I will check out the site you mention. <BR>Thank You, <BR>Eric

As a former foreign language teacher, I know that numbers are very hard. So while it's important to try to learn them as well as possible, it's also imperative that you ask the speaker to write them down. "Will you write it please" is a really useful phrase to know. This goes for time as well as money. Also "can you please repeat?" and "Will you speak more slowly please?" <BR> <BR>Words of politeness are the first things to learn - please, thank you, excuse me and any idiomatic things that go along with politeness. For example, in French you don't just say "Bonjour", you say "Bonjour monsieur" or "bonjour madame". <BR>If you always use a polite phrase people are more willing to try their English or to call over someone who speaks English, or at least to slow down and/or write it down. <BR> <BR>

My take on this is that at least in Western Europe cities, nearly everyone who deals with Tourists know English, most of the time fluent. But you'll have to follow a protocol to get to that point, and that requires sufficient knowledge of local language. Thus one on one conversations do not require too much beyond basic words mentioned, beyond that you can get things done in English. <BR> <BR>There are however, other nemeses without ability to turn to English; public announcements and vending machine instructions, including some ATM comes to mind. If you are travelling by rail, you'll have to recognize broadcasted destination names, time, track numbers, etc in local language. While many large stations have platform digital displays, I've been to many others where last minutes changes are broadcasted in local language only. You cannot always count on finding railroad employee or other passengers on the platform to help you at rural stations or at off peak hours. <BR> <BR>ATMs usually present language selection as a first page, if you are from the US, you'll have to know that Union Jack means you want it in English. If you slept thru your grade school geography classes, I can't help you... BUT, I have also had to contend with ATM machines having the first page in German only that required me to go thru another screen before I got to see the Union Jack.

Eric - Good question. If I can, I take a short course through our local rec center or similar entity; it forces me to actually speak the language out loud to others. I have language tapes (can't remember the company) that I listen to (over and over) in the car; they help a lot. <BR> <BR>I take a "cheat sheet" of phrases to help me remember the ones I think I'll need (and I don't think I'll remember offhand). For example, if I don't have hotel reservations already, I memorize how to ask for a room, and how to say I like the room (or that I don't), and that I'll take it. <BR> <BR>We like to eat, so I memorize lots of food phrases, like "can you recommend a meal/dish," "recommend a local specialty" and "what is in this" or "what is this made of." I also take a Menumaster (tiny translator of food items only; it's a great resource), so I can figure out what the more unusual dishes are. Memorize at least one phrase that compliments the food. (i.e., "delicious," or "superb") <BR> <BR>To be nice, I like to know how to make (very) small talk, such as "the weather's nice out today." Of course, if they repond in the local language, "yes, but it's been a dry summer, and we need rain or we're going to have a tough winter," I'm lost! <BR> <BR>Re numbers, I practice those a lot, so I know what somebody's saying if I ask how much something costs. Though, let me point out, I know a bit more than tourist French, and I can still NEVER understand numbers in French. I just make sure I know what something is supposed to cost. <BR> <BR>Re directions, that's one of those categories that I find the words easier to remember (left, right, near, next to, straight ahead), but I rarely use. Pointing works real well for directions. <BR> <BR>