Brits Speaking Foreign Languages On Holiday 

Each year we have a family summer holiday which is usually to one of the Balearic Islands in Spain.

Of course we are not alone in this as many British people follow the sun for their family holiday, but of course British people including myself never make the effort to speak the local language.

We almost think that it’s our right to speak English and whenever we are in the world local people will understand and speak back to us in English. There was a time I’m sure that we would buy a handy language guide before going on holiday to encourage and help us to speak the local language, even it is only the odd phrase to ask for directions or where a local restaurant or the beach is, but I’m sure you would agree we don’t.

Part of the problem is when for instance you go to Spain and the Spanish people in most resorts are multi-lingual. I have often sat in a restaurant and heard waiters and waitresses converse in multiple languages, to diners. The British as a general rule are lazy when it comes to making an effort to ask for something in the local language. Part of the problem could also be that locals are happy to speak English so we don’t need to which is shame because it could be fun asking for steak and chips and ending up with directions to the beach, haha! It’s one way to add some fun to your holiday.

In a recent survey carried out by Holiday Autos the statistics are actually quite staggering. Apparently French is the language Brits know the best. A British adult can actually say up to 15 words in French

Yet in Spain where millions of Brits of take their holidays every summer, know only a meagre 8 words, which is poor by anybody’s standards.

The survey also concluded 27 percent of British people make zero effort to learn any local words or phrases before travelling to their chosen destination believing they don’t need to because everybody speaks English. Of the 1500 people surveyed 23 percent said they go on holiday to popular resorts because local people spoke English so there was no need to make the effort.

The most common words Brits know in a foreign language are: ‘Hello’, ‘Yes’, and ‘Goodbye’, with, ‘Thanks’, ‘No’, and ‘Good Morning’ coming a close second. Of course a third of brits are capable of asking for a beer.

The research carried out by Holiday Autos highlighted that brits don’t make a huge effort in learning a language before heading off on holidays . For all of that though if you can say please, thank you and good morning, it will be very helpful. For all of that though, Holiday Autos have produced handy language guides that are available online so you can learn some foreign phrases whilst travelling.

The survey came out with a staggering two thirds of Brits being embarrassed that adults in the UK make little or no effort to learn a language. This of course can cause some difficult moments in restaurants or bars. According to the survey one in ten cannot communicate about lost luggage which of course can ruin your holiday before it has even started.

Some of the lengths that British people go to, to be understood are incredible. 35 percent claim they talk slower to be understood and 25 percent start gesticulating with their hands wildly to be understood. One in ten start drawing pictures, and in the age of the smart phone one in ten use them to be understood.

Amazing as it seems this also makes for very funny holiday memories that are retold to family and friends for years to come.

Over a quarter of Brits have a funny story to tell about a friend or family member trying to make themselves understood on holiday – with 17 percent claiming they still laugh about it.

The truth is an average holidaymaker has three lost in translation moments when on their summer holiday according to the survey

A holidaymaker thought he was asking a waiter where the toilet was, but was actually repeatedly asking where the man’s wife was.

The survey concluded that 35 percent of of Brits would like to learn enough words to help them get by before they go on holiday.

The survey as you can see brought to light some very interesting insights that British people are still confident conversing without knowing any of the local language.

Holiday Autos have produced a fascinating video called lost in transalation interviewing Brits about how they communicate whilst on holiday. You can view it here.

This year we are going to France for our summer holiday and I will definitely be learning a lot more words and phrases so I can communicate better and show some respect for the people of France and that they have their own language. It could also create some funny moments that of course we can recall for years to come.

I would love to know your thoughts. Do you make an effort to speak foreign languages when on holidays abroad?