Language Barriers?

[Brian blue bear]

I intend sailing further than British waters next year, I have no Idea of where I want to go but the Obvious to myself is south, which would include France, Spain Hopefully much further, The Black Sea If all goes well would be my first ultimate Goal, but I will remain modest for now. Entering and leaving ports, Marinas etc will require help and advice from locals, and of Course dealing with the Customs officials. although I am willing, indeed delighted to try to converce in the local language, I would be very nervious of relying on my almost non existent language skills for such Important Information, I have heared that the French are very awkward about Speaking English, I would hate for what will be my first experience of sailing abroad to be bad purely because of a language Barrier in France or Spain. are there Phrase books relating to sailing for Various Countries? will I need Them? I am aware of the Basics in the Almanacs will these be Sufficient? Should I stick to sailing around Britain? Should I skip France?

 

[xtiffer]

For the French just say: " je ne parle pas bien le Français, mais je peux essayer si vous voulez". (I don't speak French well but I can try if you want)
The normal response tends to be something like: " I am sure we can work it out" ( in English).
If you make the effort to communicate with respect then the dividends come back manyfold.
Cheers,
Chris

 

[Poignard]

You've got a few months before the sailing season starts in which to sign up at your local night school for beginners' French and Spanish classes! You'll get a lot more enjoyment out of your trips abroad if you can, at least, reach "Get by" level.

 

[Grehan]

Agree with Xtiffer - you've only got to make some effort to speak French to be appreciated; it's a matter of courtesy and respect. What you'll get back is helpfulness and friendliness, almost always in English even if they have but a smattering. Of course, not everyone in France has a smattering and not everyone is friendly (just like everywhere else) but we've had many a conversation where we stick to our poor French and they counter by sticking to their poor English!

 

[PlanB]

I do OK in French, but anyway found that in most marinas used to seeing non-French boats (most of Channel and Atlantic France), enough English is spoken to scrape by.
Hitting Spain, initially we didn't have more than "Gracias", but still found that everyone tried hard to communicate even if English wasn't spoken and a lot of boating is hand signals anyway!
Obviously, the more you understand and can speak, the better, but don't let lack of languages put you off - it won't be a problem.

 

[lille_bee]

Language barriers not

Get hold of a copy of the "Yachtsmans' Ten Language dictionary", it will get you all the way to Turkey on the more technical stuff do do with boats. Learning the local for "Two large beers and where's the toilet please" in all ten languages goes a long way to getting the conversation started though.

Have fun and don't put it off

 

[25931]

One of the advantages of the Algarve is that you will find difficulty in conversing in Portuguese - because they all want to speak English.
Jim

 

[capnsensible]

I have been lucky enough to visit many countries in my nautical career. My advice would be - don't worry about languages (you can't learn em all!), just be polite and cheerful. This always works no matter how tired, wet and generally grumpy at the end of a difficult passage when faced with beaurocracy.

Many continental marinas also have reception berths. Once you are tied up there, a face to face visit to the office solves problems, don't forget marina staff are used to dealing with yachts of many nationalities, as are Port Authorities, Customs and Immigration.

It will always sound banal to those that are not interested, but I have many times broken the ice with some 'difficult' officials by talking sport. Works for me!!!!

Hope this helps.

 

[Roberto]

A couple of thoughts

1. When you enter a foreign port or marina, the formal communication is likely to be reduced to: how long is the boat, where do you come from, how long are you intending to stay, how many onboard and the like.
You could prepare a sort of printed paper in advance (we do it with crew lists), written in the local language, to hand to local authorities.
If you want, just post your needs here in English and given the variety of posters I am sure in a few minutes you may have it translated in whatever foreign language you need.
Don't use google translator or you might end up in jail though :laugh:

2. In places where I had no way of learning anything in local language (think Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and the like, went there by plane by the way) I found the little phrasebooks useful because one can simply show the page, pointing with the finger to the relevant phrase written in local language. It usually ends up in general laughter also.

above all, enjoy [:smile:]

 

[Ludd]

Problem? what problem?

I intend sailing further than British waters next year, I have no Idea of where I want to go but the Obvious to myself is south, which would include France, Spain Hopefully much further, The Black Sea If all goes well would be my first ultimate Goal, but I will remain modest for now. Entering and leaving ports, Marinas etc will require help and advice from locals, and of Course dealing with the Customs officials. although I am willing, indeed delighted to try to converce in the local language, I would be very nervious of relying on my almost non existent language skills for such Important Information, I have heared that the French are very awkward about Speaking English, I would hate for what will be my first experience of sailing abroad to be bad purely because of a language Barrier in France or Spain. are there Phrase books relating to sailing for Various Countries? will I need Them? I am aware of the Basics in the Almanacs will these be Sufficient? Should I stick to sailing around Britain? Should I skip France?

Just SHOUT,man! Everybody knows that's the way to make johnny foreigner understand!

On a more serious note,the rest of Europe(the world?) is so fa r ahead o the UK in linguistic skills that I find it embarrassing . I am fluent in French(Scottish education!) and get by in about 4 other languages but get little chance to use them as EVERYONE wants to practise their English!

 

[LadyInBed]

the French are very awkward about Speaking English

You could try Welsh

 

[highandry]

the French are very awkward about Speaking English

They're not too happy that 0 Longitude runs through Greenwich and not Paris either..

Just wave your arms about and shrug your shoulders when you speak to them,and they'll think you're converted. Once you get to know them they're great..

ps. Your Mrs is not called Joan is she?..that can upset them a bit..

 

[Brian blue bear]

Thanks

For the French just say: " je ne parle pas bien le Français, mais je peux essayer si vous voulez". (I don't speak French well but I can try if you want)
The normal response tends to be something like: " I am sure we can work it out" ( in English).
If you make the effort to communicate with respect then the dividends come back manyfold.
Cheers,
Chris

will practice the Phrase hopefully find a french speaker to perfect prononciation however once in france will find plenty to correct my prononciation..Thanks

 

[Brian blue bear]

Started

You've got a few months before the sailing season starts in which to sign up at your local night school for beginners' French and Spanish classes! You'll get a lot more enjoyment out of your trips abroad if you can, at least, reach "Get by" level.

Got one of them listen speak learn courses, wrong phrases though when I enter a marina the first contact I would Imagine via vhf pontoons, berths fuel berths, beam, Draught, pilot instructions etc not covered, suppose I could get a private tutor becase I doubt fellow night school class mates would appriciate the deviation from everyday Phrases, but appriciate the advice..Kind regards brian

 

[Oliveoyl]

Without going into the technical stuff (eg mon bac à merde est bouché), suggest that learning (phonetically) essentials such as hi,good morning/evening/night, please, thanks in as many languages as countries to visit can help. A simple "merhaba" followed by "sorry that's the limit of my Turkish" seemed to break the ice

 

[Brian blue bear]

Re assuring

Agree with Xtiffer - you've only got to make some effort to speak French to be appreciated; it's a matter of courtesy and respect. What you'll get back is helpfulness and friendliness, almost always in English even if they have but a smattering. Of course, not everyone in France has a smattering and not everyone is friendly (just like everywhere else) but we've had many a conversation where we stick to our poor French and they counter by sticking to their poor English!

I have visited many Countries where different languages are spoken but mainly in Tourist areas, it is great to stray off the beaten track and try local life, but I'm still a tourist, while sailing I will have to Interact much more Hope you are right about the helpfulness and friendliness, Thanks for you input.

 

[Brian blue bear]

Would like a Phrase book aimed at Sailors

A couple of thoughts

1. When you enter a foreign port or marina, the formal communication is likely to be reduced to: how long is the boat, where do you come from, how long are you intending to stay, how many onboard and the like.
You could prepare a sort of printed paper in advance (we do it with crew lists), written in the local language, to hand to local authorities.
If you want, just post your needs here in English and given the variety of posters I am sure in a few minutes you may have it translated in whatever foreign language you need.
Don't use google translator or you might end up in jail though :laugh:

2. In places where I had no way of learning anything in local language (think Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and the like, went there by plane by the way) I found the little phrasebooks useful because one can simply show the page, pointing with the finger to the relevant phrase written in local language. It usually ends up in general laughter also.

above all, enjoy [:smile:]

a Phrase book would be handy Have looked at the Language I believe there are subtle sounds which change the meaning greatly wouldn't want to miss a subtle sound and wind them up probably being silly Expressions also count, but not on VHF.

 

[Brian blue bear]

Shout! Tried that in London, still there now...

Just SHOUT,man! Everybody knows that's the way to make johnny foreigner understand!

On a more serious note,the rest of Europe(the world?) is so fa r ahead o the UK in linguistic skills that I find it embarrassing . I am fluent in French(Scottish education!) and get by in about 4 other languages but get little chance to use them as EVERYONE wants to practise their English!

I realise almost every Country in the world speaks English and the People who don't would like to, but, I believe in france they have a chip on thier Shoulder about speaking English.... though, It seems from all the posts before and after yours suggest otherwise It is my intention to try to interact using local language thats what it's all about, but when entering an unfamiliar harbour or marina I think it is wise to rely on local knowlege, however there is always some small hurdle to overcome while sailing

 

[Brian blue bear]

Funny but you may be right

You could try Welsh

Leaned most of my welsh in a Southamton Indian restrant and Jamaica, Don't think they Know much welsh in France though, I'll give it a try Nos da Cariad...

 

[Brian blue bear]

It's Joan

the French are very awkward about Speaking English

They're not too happy that 0 Longitude runs through Greenwich and not Paris either..

Just wave your arms about and shrug your shoulders when you speak to them,and they'll think you're converted. Once you get to know them they're great..

ps. Your Mrs is not called Joan is she?..that can upset them a bit..

I'll practice the French Phrase I'm lost, didn't mean to be here but thought 0deg Longitude ran through Paris, meet my wife doris,,,, Joan! Joan! come and meet these lovely people, think that'll work. have to learn the hand signals though, seen some but thought they were gestures, usually when I'm most definitly totally in the right, but in the wrong Place.