The Language Barrier

Of all hardships a traveller may encounter on a trip, one of the hardest will be the Language Barrier.
Language, its importance can’t be underestimated in connecting people. It bridges us from a simple conversation to business and international affairs, and there is a gap between disconnected people that slowly builds fear in our mind.

There are many simple problems arises from not knowing the language of the country you’re travelling into. You may be confused on transportation, bus schedules or whether it is going to or arriving from your destination. You may end up buying wrong products, ordered wrong food, or you may be charged higher than original price by locals. These simple problems are not chronic and will not sustain long term consequences. It can be sorted out in a long run with some effort and extra time. It is quite challenging though, and learning new things makes  travelling more fun and can teaches you how to handle this simple problems.

Simple conversations, making new friends or in a date can be stressing and tests your patience when you keep on saying “What?”or “I don’t understand” and you may end up frustrated. It will be annoying to sit in front of a person or people and discussing ideas, stories and sharing opinions and you’re having hard time or no way of expressing your own self. You will fall into thinking on the other person think stupid at you because you are not saying anything and you will start to feel stupid too. The problem can worsen every time a new person joins a conversation. One or two people can be ask to stop or speak slowly or use simple words. But when you are in a group or 4 or 5, that will be hard and you will just end up sitting back and listen, digesting unfamiliar words and their meaning.

The feeling of isolation will start to kick in, your frustration on not able to speak or express your self will make you feel isolated. It’s easy to be alone than feeling alone in the crowd. It cuts away your social interactions, separated from the herd a barrier of fear will slowly builds up on your mind.

It will not be easy to learn new language and learning a language to this level of problems will not be an easy tasks. A few months stay will not be enough to call yourself Nomad. The effect of not able to express yourself to people around you will slowly build up within the first few months of stay. But in some countries, it’s not a big deal because English is generally used. Or you will have to find a way to overcome the Language Barrier or at least can’t break you spirit to low ground.