Languages for wordwide cruising

phanakapan

phanakapan

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My partner and I are hoping to go cruising for 2-?? years in about 5-7 years time. Destinations unknown as yet- but as part of our preparation we are thinking of doing some language courses. Which, if any, languages would you recommend that we have a working knowledge of?

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English, Spanish, French.

In that order. Some Arabic (Middle East), Portuguese (Atlantic), German (Baltic) may also be useful. Learn how to read Greek and Cyrillic characters.

Additionally the usual tourist rule applies, always learn a few courtesy words of any country you visit, it is invariably appreciated. The basic set are something like "Yes, no, please, thankyou, hello, goodbye, good morning, good night, excuse me (let me pass), pardon me (minor apology), help!, one, two, three". Also if possible check the basic 'body-language' rules (eg does nodding signify 'yes').

That's been my strategy!
 
Re: English, Spanish, French.

absolutely agree

I would add that learning just 300-400 words in a foreign language gives a very basic but effective mean of passing (almost) whatever message you want...

If the language is too rare or will be used just a couple of days, the small lonely planet language booklets can be useful, especially in countries where the alphabet is different: they are full of pre made sentences, just point with the finger the relevant question on the book... I found them very useful for ex with laotian, vietnamese, burmese, cambodian languages, which except if you plan to live there require probably too much time to be learned





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Re: English, Spanish, French.

When travelling the world on business I learned the same lesson. Actually more people in the world speak Spanish than anything else especially in Caribbean and South America. French is often understood in African and Arab countries where English is not but it is surprising how many people in the most remote places speak English. Greek remains a mystery to me but I am determined to master the basics as I intend to spend most time there. So it really depends on your destination. It ain't no good trying Spanish in a Tokyo railway station! Once tried learning Japanese as I spent some time there. In fact it is quite an easy language as the grammar is simple but when I went to Bejing it was as much good as a chocolate teapot. Decide where you are going first......

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The other posts are right - the single most important world language is Spanish until you get to Asia. In Asia many people even on little indonisian or malay islands speak some english as a 2nd language but spanish is the most widely spoken for the rest of the world you are ever likely to visit.

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I'd disagree with the other posters. Most of the people you will meet while cruising who will give you the most useful advice and help, are other cruisers. French will be the most useful language, given that the French are the most ubiquitous cruising nation these days.

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Ric hi,
like you I speak pretty good french but only really found it useful in the South Pacific and chatting to Canadian cruisers. From the Galapogos Eastwards almost every country spoke Spanish - well that was my experience..

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And you intend to go cruising in the Med with an attitude like that?
Good luck - you're going to need it.

PS: just out of idle curiosity: what have they ever done to you?

<hr width=100% size=1>Experience is a good teacher, but she sends in terrific bills.
 
If you are thinking of circumnavigation or an atlantic circuit i would go for a simple vocabulary in French, Portuguese and Spanish. They will cover you for all the common destinations in the atlantic and southern pacific. Not many people will attempt local languages for south east asia but you should get by with english in most major destinations and signs in the rest.

Around the med and middle east you have more of a problem so are likely to need a smattering of greek and italian. I agree with the point about knowing how to interpret greek lettering so you can recognise shop signs etc.

Arabic lettering is more of a problem but again a few spoken words help. 'kam' = how much?, 'feloos' = money, 'shucran' = thank you, 'hammam' = gents, 'baksheesh' = give me money, 'la' = no and 3 common words you will hear if you're trying to get work done (remember the mnemonic IBM):

Inshallah = If Allah wills it
Bukra = Manana - but without the sense of urgency
Malesh = Never mind

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Well as you ask, this year in Binic I had my ensign pinched by French hooligans. Moving on to the Isles of Scilly I was rammed by a typical French aluminium yacht of about 24 ft with 6 people on board when anchored off Tresco. No apology. Also in Tresco I witnessed two French "matelot" from a similar small cruiser stealing a dinghy belonging to a British yacht off the beach, alerted the owner and "apprehended" them in my RIB (they could not swim very well either!)
The year before I rescued 3 Frenchmen from a sinking yacht near Looe and was sworn at when I refused to stand into danger between Looe island and the mainland to save their boat which they had run aground on rocks due to their own stupidity..... Apart from that I have witnessed countless acts of bad seamanship and awful manners over the last 30 years of sailing. They are, before you protest, not all rude, incompetent, and cheuvanistic. Some of them are quite reasonable, but the previous post's contention that he disagreed with everybody else and would learn French because he felt that getting "advice" from Frenchmen all over the world was more important than learning Spanish deserves to be treated as a joke. The original question was about communication and as I speak reasonable French, fluent Spanish and a smattering of other languages to boot I get on very well with most people at large but unless I happened to be in France I would not feel the need to ask a Frenchman for advice.....

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Mike,

Además a Francés, hablo también Castelleño (y Catalán, Italiano, Alemán, Maori).

Navegando en Nuova Zelandia, las islas Pacificas, en las Malvinas (Falklands), en Argentina, en Antarctica, he encontrado muchos Francéses (mucho mas que Britannicos) y eran siempre muy simpáticos y serviciales.

He encontrado muchos marineros en muchos países del Mundo, y son siempre les Britannicos que tengan la disposición tuya...

Ric

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Let me have a crack at this:

In addition to French, I also speak Castelleño (and Catalan, Italian, German, Maori). Sailing in New Zealand, the Pacific islands, the Falklands, Argentina, Antarctica, I have found many French (but not many Brits) and were always very likeable and friendly. I have met many sailors in many countries of the World, and it's always Brits that have the same attitude as yours

Impressed that you speak Maori, how long did it take to learn, and do you just have a few words, or are fluent?

<hr width=100% size=1>Me transmitte sursum, caledoni
 
Brendan, I don't speak Maori but, in one of the more bizarre experiences of my life was mistaken for one by a French diplomat

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Do tell, this sounds like an interesting tale?


One of the most bizarre experiences of my life was being taught the Haka by a genuine Maori chief. The bruises on my thighs were there for a week, and my face and tongue felt like they been put through an old fashioned mangle. Demanding bugger!! <g>

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French manners

I agree with most of the other comments but would add that you will find it easier to learn the language when in the country concerned, Therefore prepare before you arrive by having a suitable book or other media ready.

As for the French I think the suggested rudness, etc. applies more to the northern French. Around the Med. they can be very helpful. I have just returned for three days in Paris as a tourist. You would think that those involved would go out of their way to make tourists welcome but it was very noticable how few actually smile, compared with ordinary English people. Bad for business.

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Re: French manners

I believe thats true. I have always got on reasonably well with the southern French, and find them very welcoming and hospitable especially if approached in their own language. It's probably the weather wot does it!

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Buenos tardes Ric!

Ud habla bien el espanol.
Yo escoces y no habla correcto Castallino y Castallan (o el inglis!)
Mi espanol aprende la senorita mexicano en USA en la cama debajo de la manta!

Abject apologies therefore for murdering a wonderful language and not knowing how to punctuate on a computer! I speak and understand more competently than I write I think.

Buena Suerte

Mike

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