Overcoming the language barrier. ( Archived) (6)

Apr 25, 2010 2:25 PM CST Overcoming the language barrier.
JAN_is
JAN_isJAN_isMurcia city centre, Murcia Spain109 Threads 3,849 Posts
My mum and her partner...I have two dads laugh come from the UK to stay with me a couple of times a year for a month or so each time. Neither of them speak Spanish, but they go about the city when I´m working and get by ok. They made friends with a cafe owner and his wife who do not speak a word of English. I was amazed initially at how well they got on and manage to communicate despite the language barrier.

Sadly, I learned on Wednesday that Mari their Spanish friend, died a month ago, and I had to phone home to give them the sad news. They are coming out in a couple of weeks and were looking forward to seeing Mari and Juan.

Both were crying sigh so I had to skype to give virtual hugs.
Isn´t it amazing how close people can become when they don´t speak each other´s language.

Have you had any experience of this?
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Apr 25, 2010 2:32 PM CST Overcoming the language barrier.
englishelegance
englisheleganceenglisheleganceBirmingham, West Midlands, England UK76 Threads 1 Polls 3,025 Posts
JAN_is: My mum and her partner...I have two dads come from the UK to stay with me a couple of times a year for a month or so each time. Neither of them speak Spanish, but they go about the city when I´m working and get by ok. They made friends with a cafe owner and his wife who do not speak a word of English. I was amazed initially at how well they got on and manage to communicate despite the language barrier.

Sadly, I learned on Wednesday that Mari their Spanish friend, died a month ago, and I had to phone home to give them the sad news. They are coming out in a couple of weeks and were looking forward to seeing Mari and Juan.

Both were crying so I had to skype to give virtual hugs.
Isn´t it amazing how close people can become when they don´t speak each other´s language.

Have you had any experience of this?


Yes my ex husband a i were holdaying in Majorca in 1975. We made friends with a German couple who didn't speak English nor us German. My exs brother was a teacher and spoke German fluently which enabled us to write them letters via my ex brother in law. He then translated their letters to us. We had no problem understanding them on that holiday, and in fact kept in touch for a good many years.
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Apr 25, 2010 3:38 PM CST Overcoming the language barrier.
Zellarrone1
Zellarrone1Zellarrone1Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England UK33 Threads 4 Polls 7,644 Posts
JAN_is: My mum and her partner...I have two dads come from the UK to stay with me a couple of times a year for a month or so each time. Neither of them speak Spanish, but they go about the city when I´m working and get by ok. They made friends with a cafe owner and his wife who do not speak a word of English. I was amazed initially at how well they got on and manage to communicate despite the language barrier.

Sadly, I learned on Wednesday that Mari their Spanish friend, died a month ago, and I had to phone home to give them the sad news. They are coming out in a couple of weeks and were looking forward to seeing Mari and Juan.

Both were crying so I had to skype to give virtual hugs.
Isn´t it amazing how close people can become when they don´t speak each other´s language.

Have you had any experience of this?
Yeah, I've friends that can't speak english. Nor can I speak their lingo. We just get by talking gibberish conversing to each other plus a weird kind of sign language. Not to mention the odd hand signal thrown in laugh
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Apr 25, 2010 3:51 PM CST Overcoming the language barrier.
JAN_is
JAN_isJAN_isMurcia city centre, Murcia Spain109 Threads 3,849 Posts
I was also thinking about the many members here who cannot speak or write English therefore aren´t able to contribute to the forums.

Wonder how many lost opportunities for relationships that adds up to? hmmm
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Apr 25, 2010 4:38 PM CST Overcoming the language barrier.
markizamkd25
markizamkd25markizamkd25Skive, Central Jutland Denmark235 Threads 5 Polls 4,706 Posts
Every time when i travel i help people around airports that don't speak English just smile and give them a hand....I have angel face tough angel





















devil
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Apr 25, 2010 4:40 PM CST Overcoming the language barrier.
JAN_is
JAN_isJAN_isMurcia city centre, Murcia Spain109 Threads 3,849 Posts
You do have an angelic face Markie. angel laugh

Good for you though lending a hand. handshake
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