Do you have to speak the local language when traveling on a motorcycle?

Speaking the local language can be a huge asset when you are traveling alone through a foreign country. Unfortunately, there are roughly 7100 languages spoken in the world today so you'll never be able to speak to every single person in their native tongue. Luckily there are a few languages that are spoken by large groups of people, spread over many countries, and are therefore worthwhile to learn. Spanish is one of those languages. It is spoken by people in Latin America except for Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana.

Advantages of speaking the local language

For example, being able to speak Spanish has made my journey through South and Central America much smoother. It's been easier to deal with border crossing procedures, police, and other officials.

But by far the main advantage, in my opinion, is that speaking the local language allows you to immerse yourself much deeper into the culture. You'll be able to get to know locals, what drives them, and what they can teach you. You will learn so much more about a country by being able to hold conversations about religion, politics, or other issues that are relevant to a community. Being able to speak decent enough Spanish allowed me to learn about local tribes and get around in very remote places. Several of my best experiences in Central America wouldn't have been possible if I didn't speak Spanish.

What if you don’t speak the local language?

But what happens when you don't speak the local language? Should you steer clear of a foreign country? Would it be impossible to travel there on your own?

The answer is simple: of course not! Without a doubt, any person can travel in any country, even if you don't speak one single word of the local language. I know this because I've also traveled extensively in countries where, unlike Latin America, I did not speak one word of the language. Here are a few inside tips and tricks to keep in mind when you are struggling with a language barrier. 

Try to avoid using phone translation apps

Many people have asked me why I don't use Google Translate in situations where I don't speak the local language. Sure, if you have an internet connection, using a translation app can occasionally be helpful. However, I prefer not to use them unless I absolutely have to. The reason being that there is a big risk that, without you realizing it, the translation isn't correct. It could be a little off, have the wrong nuance, or possibly even be completely incorrect. The problem is that the local you are trying to talk to will think that this is truly what you are saying. Risky! 

The possible miscommunication aside, I prefer to try and get my point across using my hands, and feet and being creative. To try and communicate with another person, instead of looking at a phone. When you make a true effort to communicate with another person, you will be able to connect with them much easier too. Making an effort to speak a few words in the other person’s language, and you become instant friends. Just whipping your phone out and letting an app do all the work for you blocks the entire human interaction. 

It's always the same questions! 

Don't get nervous when you travel through a country where you don't understand the language. In the end, most of the conversations on the road revolve around three things: finding fuel, finding food, and finding accommodation. Those are the three main elements where you are likely to find yourself in a situation where you'd need help from the locals.

That also means you only need a limited vocabulary to figure out these three basic daily road needs. Additionally, you'll soon realize that most conversations you'll have with strangers are all the same. And they will all ask you the same questions. Where are you from? Are you traveling alone? Where are you going? You don’t have to study a language for years to start picking up on these basic questions and soon you'll be able to answer them, as the answers are also mostly the same! 

I have to admit that for a large part, I have just been guessing what people were saying to me. Like in Turkey for example. When strangers asked me a question I'd just answer with 'Holanda', as typically, they would first ask me where I was from. Looking at the reaction I got, most of the time I'd guessed right and my answer was accepted. The longer you spend on the road the better you become at anticipating what others ask you. This will allow you to reply with the correct answer. And yes, sometimes, you'll get such a puzzled look that you know that you've just given a totally weird reply back. Oops, guessed wrong then. At least your thick accent will give away that you don't know what you're saying!  A wrong verbal response is always easily forgiven, much more so than a wrong response coming from a translation app.