Tag Archives: language barrier
pat bazaar skyscanner bag

The Time I Sent Pat to Get a Loaf of Bread in Bishkek

By on May 7, 2012 in Kyrgyzstan

So, I sent Pat to get a loaf of bread for breakfast — only I didn’t send him to the big grocery store down the street where everything is easy to grab. I sent him to the little convenience stand in our complex where you basically have to talk to the worker, or point as I expected would be the case.

May 7, 2012 · Read full story · Comments { 11 }
russian warning sign

Week 4 Wrap-Up: Holy F#*k, I Know Russian

By on November 26, 2011 in Kyrgyzstan, Language Learning, Soviet Travel

And we’re done, people! I told my teachers that I surprised myself during my final week of lessons. Big improvement from the week before, thanks to finally getting good sleep and no longer being ill.

November 26, 2011 · Read full story · Comments { 7 }
nospeak

The “No Speak Language Guide” is Out: Get a Copy for Free!

By on October 20, 2011 in Contests, Language Learning

Communication issues are just an everyday part of travel to countries that don’t speak English. There are some moments, some days when you may not want to deal with it. Or, you just might want to be extra, extra, extra sure your meal doesn’t come with meat. Whatever it is, you now have a tool that can help you communicate your desires and needs without words!!

October 20, 2011 · Read full story · Comments { 99 }
inside dali museum figueres spain

Day 216: Asking for Help in a Foreign Land, and Not Getting It

By on August 6, 2011 in Spain

On day 216, I worked on gathering up content for an article over on Bootsnall discussing some of the more awkward situations that come about during solo travel (article next week). During my collection, I realized that a lot of the ideas came from not being able to communicate… Read more with someone in a foreign language. We’ve all had those truly

August 6, 2011 · Read full story · Comments { 3 }
Day 115: A Little Rochambo Down Under

Day 115: A Little Rochambo Down Under

By on April 25, 2011 in Australia

Do you ever get the feeling that all those cartoons and stories back in the Northern Hemisphere are true and everything in Australia does in fact run backwards? I. do.
You might want to check my post on how I live in a bilingual household.… Read more
In Australia, I’m bombarded with things that make me go, “Really?” Two years in

April 25, 2011 · Read full story · Comments { 6 }
Day 103: I Live in a Bilingual Household

Day 103: I Live in a Bilingual Household

By on April 14, 2011 in Australia

I’ve always wondered how people that speak two different languages make a relationship work. I always wonder more how they communicate at home since communication, to me, is like the essential part of making a relationship work, no?
I know it’s not to the same extent as, let’s say, someone who speaks Spanish and someone who speaks Japanese getting married,… Read more

April 14, 2011 · Read full story · Comments { 13 }
Day 29: Watching a Movie Abroad… With No Subtitles

Day 29: Watching a Movie Abroad… With No Subtitles

By on January 29, 2011 in Kyrgyzstan, Soviet Travel

About a week into my Russian lessons, I was talked into seeing a movie at the Vefa Center… in Russian… with someone who could understand Russian… while I couldn’t. Oh yes, and it was an English movie that was dubbed over (by the one male voice that seemed to do all the Russian voice overs), and it had no subtitles.… Read more

January 29, 2011 · Read full story · Comments { 6 }
Learning Like a Child: Host Family Flashback Part 1

Learning Like a Child: Host Family Flashback Part 1

By on April 19, 2010 in Kyrgyzstan, Language Learning, Soviet Travel

When a language is just so different from your native tongue, the best thing you can do is to forget about any preconceived notions you have about language structure and just attempt to learn it like a child.
I learned my lesson the hard way… Read more – by spending countless portions of class time hounding my poor teachers as to why

April 19, 2010 · Read full story · Comments { 8 }

Polish Hospitality

By on March 29, 2008 in Poland

After the horror that was my two days in Lublin, Krakow appeared as nothing more than a peaceful dream. Ok, maybe not too peaceful. There were those EIGHT Spanish guys in my room, and there were those two girls who were happy that some guy randomly spiked their drinks in Hungary (really?! are they still smiling looking back at that?!).… Read more

March 29, 2008 · Read full story · Comments { 3 }
Amazing Mystery Pastries No. 1 & 2

Amazing Mystery Pastries No. 1 & 2

By on March 23, 2008 in Poland

Note: If anyone needs a mime in their next movie or play, sign me up! … Read more
I have now mastered the art of pointing and gesturing for things I need to survive while in Poland. The other day in Lublin, I went to a delikatessy and pointed to a random pastry in the window. It reminded me of something that

March 23, 2008 · Read full story · Comments { 0 }