People dream of learning a language quickly and without problems. So that they can be abroad and immediately join the conversation. But it’s not that easy.
Even an excellent student will have to spend time and effort to overcome the language barrier. This term refers to problems in communicating in other languages. It’s not the only barrier to communication, but it’s an important one. Learn how to overcome it.
What Prevents People From Communicating Effectively
Business literature and coaching identify several types of barriers that prevent people from communicating and understanding each other.
For example, businessman Chris Smith has written a free guide on what prevents people from finding common ground with each other. For example, he highlights barriers such as:
- Physical – it’s hard to communicate if people are far apart. For example, they are in different cities, or real barriers prevent them from chatting: a long distance between the desks or offices on different floors.
- Perceptual – this means that people find it difficult to communicate because of the difference in perception. If one person prefers to eat meat with meat, and the other is a strict vegan, it will be difficult for them to talk to each other.
- Emotional – strong emotions prevent us from communicating our thoughts clearly. A request for help said with irritation is unlikely to resonate with people, as well as a compliment said with a bored tone.
- Cultural – the views of different generations collide with each other, as do differences in mentality and social status.
Some barriers are easy to overcome, while others will require effort on both sides. But there is another barrier that is difficult to jump at once: the language barrier.
What Is Called a Language Barrier
A language barrier is a barrier to meaningful communication in which people speak different languages and dont understand each other.
It isn’t a problem when it happens in a country where you are a native speaker. For example, if a foreigner comes up to you on the street and you don’t understand him, you can shrug your shoulders and go on with your business. Another thing is when that foreigner is you.
Impossibility to explain in a foreign language with the same freedom as in English makes us anxious the same way we feel anxious while playing at masonslots.com for real money for the first time. Many people find fear in a foreign language environment scary because of the lack of vocabulary, the accent and how people may react.
However, the best way to overcome anxiety and fear of something new and unfamiliar is to face it. If you find yourself in another country and you don’t know the local language, or you learned it at school but haven’t practiced it, it’s never too late to start. All the more so, learning new things develops the brain and serves as a prevention of dementia.
How to Get Used to a New Environment if You Don’t Know the Language or Don’t Speak It Well
Acknowledge that you are not a native speaker and accept your accent. Speaking with an accent isn’t bad. Accept the accent as part of your personality.
Speak slowly and clearly. And ask others to do the same. That way your words are sure to be heard and understood correctly.
Ask them to repeat themselves. It’s better to ask the person several times to explain how to go to the right stop, than to politely nod and take a wrong turn in an unfamiliar city.
Use sign language if the conversation doesn’t go well. But use it wisely. It’s okay to point to the items you want in order to buy them. But you should be careful when gesturing that you are OK. In Brazil, for example, OK is the equivalent of the middle finger.
Turn on the translator on your smartphone. Voice assistants will make it easier and translate what you want to say to the person you’re talking to. But watch your translator, too.
Speak as you can. Any practice, successful or not, will improve your foreign language skills over time. Allow yourself to make mistakes and make mistakes. The main thing is to speak from the heart.
Make it so that you want to be heard and understood. If you know a topic, you can probably explain it with the help of terms that sound similar in different languages and gestures. To learn important information from a doctor, programmer, or cook, people are willing to listen, to listen, and to help you share your invaluable experience.
