Neurologists tell us that language-learning is a slow and inherently incomplete process for adults. Where does that leave a home exchanger hoping to connect -- and swap accommodations -- with peers who speak a different language?
Reader Kate is running into exactly that problem:
"Hi Nicole, ages ago you did a couple of posts on language difficulties. It wasn't relevant to me then but now I would very much like to get in contact with a Spanish family. Their languages are Spanish and Italian. Ours are English and French.
"I thinking of imposing on one of my colleagues to give me a hand drafting them a brief email (I have already arranged to take Spanish at evening classes in the Autumn but it'll take some time for me to get beyond my current holiday basics) but it could get a little burdensome for her if they're interested. How would you tackle this conundrum or should we just pass?"
Kate, please don't pass up this opportunity! You are a home exchanger, woman. Resourceful, adventurous, up to the challenge. But you need some resources. Here are some suggestions about communication when you don't share a language with a potential swap partner.
USE YOUR WORDS
When you write to an exchange family in another country, it's alright to send an offer in your primary language. The exchangers may be too modest to say they speak your language, but they may be able to get the gist of a written message. Alternately, they may have a friend who can translate. But don't stop there.
USE OUR WORDS
If your native language is not English but you speak it, consider sending a second version of the offer in English, within the original email. I am not an English-language supremacist. I speak several languages other than English and do not understand why the vast majority of Americans are monolingual. But the fact is that these days English is quickly becoming the international language. You and your swap partners (or their friends) may be able to communicate in English even if it not the primary language for either of you.
USE THEIR WORDS
If you and the swappers don't have any language in common, you may still be able to get along in another foreign language. Kate mentions that she speaks French but the swappers speak Spanish and Italian. As someone who speaks Spanish and French, I know that I can get the gist of messages written to me in Italian. When I find a phrase that I do not understand, I have a secret weapon. Let's make Kate wait to find out what it is until next time.
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