Learn the language of your holiday destination

In the words of Ludwig Wittgenstein “The limits of my language are the limits of my universe" and aside from these words of wisdom there are many other reasons to learn another language.

Travelling is obviously the most obvious reason and when travelling to foreign climes it is advisable to learn a few basic phrases in the language of the country. Not only is it good for foreign relations, but a bit of local know-how can go a long way when bargaining for a beautiful item, asking for medical help, or finding your way back to your hotel.

The most basic phrases you should master include the obvious “Hello” or “Good day”. Learning to get your tongue around the foreign syllables of “My name is” and “I'm learning your language but do not speak it very well” is a rewarding experience when you receive a cheerful response.

Some phrases can be much more useful though, and may be life saving if ever needed. “I am lost” and “I need to call my travel insurance broker” are very useful phrases to know, as are “I need medical attention” and “How do I get to the airport?”

The best way to learn a language is by spending time with a native speaker, and by spending time in the country of origin, but this option may not be available to everyone. Mother tongue speakers can also mislead a first time language speaker by teaching them what not to say...insulting the relatives of the hotel owner when you meant to greet him in a friendly manner will not ensure a happy holiday!

The best way to learn will be a combination of research and book learning before you leave, then a crash course in pronunciation when you arrive. Ask someone you can trust to teach you some useful local phrases and try them out at the local market, on the beach or at the restaurant. If you have comprehensive travel insurance you hopefully won’t need to ask for help to collect your scattered luggage from the airport landing strip!

Please note that RBS Insurance does not control and cannot guarantee the relevance, timeliness, or accuracy of the article above.