Language is practical and useful. The journey of learning it is necessary, exciting, and steps you into the cultural unknown.
Tip
Google Translate app: download languages offline. The benefits are (1) you have a way to communicate with no internet access, and (2) you can use it to learn some words.
*disclaimer*: Google Translate is not always correct. An example is in Thai, the word for “to go”/”take away” for food is “sai glong”, which Google translates as “cased” (very weird). The actual translation is “boxed”, meaning “boxed up” or “bag/box it up to go”. This makes sense while “cased” is a word English speakers would never use.
By the way, Asian languages such as Thai can come across as simple – they will say “can” or “cannot” without the extra words that elaborate as we do in English. Whereas in English, we would say “we cannot right now”, which is a much more full sentence.
Learn The Language – How To
No language skills? That’s okay! The basics are much easier than you think, and they can get you pretty far!
Warning
The locals will be surprised and start talking to you thinking that you are fluent! Haha. Lol. 555 (the Thai language guide explains what this means).
Typical Conversations
The majority of your conversations will be:
(1) “How much does this cost?
(2) using numbers – listening and speaking numbers
Language Guides
Hey there! We’ve got a few language guides – they walk you through every step. It’s what you need to know & how to pronounce it, easily. Save them on you phone and learn as you go! *We recommend starting with numbers.*
Speaking & Pronunciation
Fake it until you make it – this really does apply for language learning! Conversations are based on context, so if your pronunciation is not perfect, then they might still understand you (ex = ordering a drink at the café … what else could you be saying other than “coffee” even if the pronunciation is close but not perfect).
Have no shame! Try a word out to see if they understand you, they will often times help correct your pronunciation.
Mimic the sounds of the language and you will improve. Repeat words to yourself when you hear them. And, if the food stall is asking you “mang vay?” and holding a to-go bag, then repeat that word to yourself. You can put 2 and 2 together – “mang vay” must mean something about food to-go! P.S. “mang vay” is Vietnamese for “to-go”/”takeaway” when ordering food.
There you go. It is relieving to know that you don’t have to be perfect, just try and the words will fall into place!
Learn The Language – Why & Benefits
Everyday life gets easier
Foreign country = foreign language. Makes sense. Not everyone will be able to speak English.
Words/Phrases you need : Learning words and phrases is practical – it helps you get through you daily life so much more easily. Eating, shopping, and transportation are things we do everyday. Struggling through the basics of life makes for a challenging one. It doesn’t have to be hard. Learn some basics of the language and your life will get easier, guaranteed.
Learn the culture
Let the culture in : You gain a feeling of being present in the foreign country, embracing it, and letting it all in – the good and the bad. You feel part of it, existing within it, and experiencing life in a whole new way. You’ll feel slightly detached to your nationality and more connected with the foreign host country. Learning even just a few words/phrases of the language makes you feel like you are in the country. It’s a concrete feeling – not some fantasy-type imaginary feeling you get from pictures or watching online videos. You are present and you are there!
Open yourself to the culture : The more your focus on the language, the more you’ll notice and pay attention to the culture. It pushes you to let go of who you are (from a Western culture & language with different ways of doing things and mannerisms) and encourages you to live like the locals do. Ok, your nice apartment or Western meal is non-negotiable, we get it! But you know what, you’ll appreciate the little things that seem like big adventures such as crossing the road, expressing gratitude and politeness, and the reactions and mindsets of locals. Southeast Asia is a different world with different possibilities. It’s intriguing to compare & contrast us vs. them. It’s valuable to compare what pushes us apart and what brings us together. Language, even just the basics, enables you to pull through the barriers and push your boundaries to make a better you.
Better Price
Oh, and, you’ll be more likely to get a better price 😉 if they think you aren’t a tourist who just arrived yesterday – they ‘ll think that they can’t fool you.
Simply fun and rewarding
It worked! : You learn a phrase and proceed to try it out. You are like, “Wow! It worked! They understand me!”
It adds up fast : Learning a bit of the language is fun. You get an instant sense of accomplishment. One word leads to 3, which leads to a few phrases – you’ll get rolling and learn fast. Now, you can help other foreigners out when they struggle with simple communication.
Enriching
It’s not required, but you should consider it a personal requirement that can improve your time greatly.
Communicating the basics breaks away the complete akwardness. Plus, it opens the doors to things available to you that you never noticed before.
Open Doors
Before, you’d walk right past those ‘hidden gems’ … there was no written English outside the tourist areas! Without language, you’ll walk right past that Delicious food. With basic language skills, you’ll have the confidence and ability to read a menu.
Journey Through Life Using The Language
Immerse yourself!
Emersion – jump straight in! If you mess up, no harm no foul. People do appreciate that you try. Heck, they might even try to, kindly, help you with pronunciation.
Adventure
Emersion straight into “the culture” gives us a sense of adventure. Learning some basic language increases those feelings of adventure.
Language Barrier
The language barrier is a somewhat exciting, yet daunting experience, that really “hits home” that we are … not at home anymore. But, after learning even just some basic language, you are equipped to interact with the food or shop seller.