Language Barriers

[exmouse]

How do you guys cope with language barriers in countries like Japan and China. Do they speak English? Thinking of heading to Japan and plan to learn some basic Japanese so as not to appear totally ignorant but won't be an expert by any means. Just wondered how I'll cope. Oh and are McDonalds wide spread in Japan or should I fill my case with chips.

[SharkTums]

We usually try to learn at least 50 basic words and phrases in each country we visit. The 50 words you know plus the 50 words someone there knows of English will make your life MUCH easier.

 

In Japan especially, people did NOT speak English.

 

Always bring a phrase book with you in case of emergency as well.

 

There were McDonalds everywhere in all the major cities and in several of the Amusement Parks as well.

[pvcoasterguy]

I travelled to China last summer. Very few people I met spoke English, with the majority of the English-speakers being younger people. Learn vital phrases or get a tour guide.

[exmouse]

Cheers for the advise guys. Was planning to learn the key phrases as like to be seen to be trying. Just wondered how I'd get on with only a few key phrases.

[pete4winds]

We usually try to learn at least 50 basic words and phrases in each country we visit. The 50 words you know plus the 50 words someone there knows of English will make your life MUCH easier.

 

In Japan especially, people did NOT speak English.

 

Always bring a phrase book with you in case of emergency as well.

 

There were McDonalds everywhere in all the major cities and in several of the Amusement Parks as well.

 

In general this is great advice, but I found that it also depends on what part of a given country you are in. I lived in Japan for a year ('96-'97), and because I was in a military-heavy area (Yokosuka, a little south of Tokyo), MANY of the people I encountered spoke English.

 

I also learned when I lived there that English is mandatory in Japanese schools the same way Spanish or French is in the U.S. (in other words, most of us learned one of those languages in school, but how many of us actually remember enough to carry a conversation? Not many, would be my guess). I agree with the advice to learn a little of the local language (whatever your destination country might be) and carry a guide book.