Holidays where you dont know the language at all.

[Branleuse]

I imagine a lot of people dont give this much thought, but do you ever go to non touristy places where you dont know the language, and how do people manage it.
My son is always trying to enthuse me about obscure places to visit, but I cant imagine trying to get around without knowing the language. I am fine in french and can cope with spain with phrasebook help or in touristy areas, and everywhere else ive been can either get by in french or english, but I do like the idea of going to other places, but the language thing makes me feel a bit anxious. Does this factor into anyone elses holiday decisions?

write the hotel name and address in Chinese characters, for him to show taxi drivers

We did this before we went to Japan - had the hotel names and addresses written in both English and Japanese.
Made life a bit less stressful especially when we first arrived in the evening after a very long journey there. We find a lot of places the taxi drivers do have very little English so it's really useful.

I actually prefer holidays in a place where the language/alphabet is completely unknown to me. It takes off a lot of pressure when I’m not striving to speak a foreign language or translate menus and signs.

The only time I’ve had any real difficulties have been communicating addresses to taxi drivers. Now I make sure I have the address of any destination in a photo on my phone in both English and the local alphabet. I also prebook taxis from the airport or ferry to my first hotel to ensure a relaxing start to the trip.

It's easier than it's every been, thanks to smartphones and translation apps.

But I first went to China independently, 15 years ago, as a solo backpacker And despite not having a clue what anything said, no phone, and hardly anyone speaking any English, it was still doable.

Really Ponoka? I'm Welsh but you wouldn't necessarily know unless I told you. I have travelled to Welsh speaking areas (I don't speak Welsh) and have never encountered arsehole behaviour. The pubs I have visited have been welcoming and served me in English. They do revert to Welsh when talking amongst themselves because its their first language. I also understand enough to know what they are talking about and its not me!
Maybe the problem is you?
Anyway back to your question OP I tend to stick to countries where I can speak the language. I always think in an emergency situation I would feel far more comfortable. Luckily it hasn't happened yet.

Coming soon?

The Star Trek Universal Translater?

redshirtsalwaysdie.com/2018/12/17/star-trek-universal-translator/

I think it's silly to be embarrassed about not speaking the language tbh. I love languages and speak 3 fluently, one reasonably well and a smattering of another, but nobody can be expected to learn the language of every country they might want to visit! A few phrases to show willing are enough. A phrasebook and Google translate for the rest.

Sorry nrtft but you tube is your answer. We have been to lots of places where we don't speak the language, we intensively you tube before we go so we can at least do the basics. I've always found that as we were obviously trying with their language they had plenty of time for us.

Im not massively well travelled, like many people I guess. Is that really amazing?

You then listed three countries I've never been to! I don't travel much myself, we're making an effort now the DC are of an age to start appreciating different cultures but before that I'd not been abroad for over 10 years (travelled more as a student). But since I only speak bad French I'd be stuck if I didn't go to places where I couldn't speak the language.

I do feel like you OP. I always wonder why articles in travel magazines/newspapers never talk about what it's like from a language point of view. You know that it's unlikely to be a issue at all in the Netherlands or the Nordic countries, but other than that you can't be sure. I can get by with German, French and Italian, which also means I can read a lot of Spanish, Dutch and to an extent Swedish, but wouldn't eg have a clue about Polish. It would be quite nice if travel articles said that English is widely spoken or if other languages are widely spoken eg when I went to Hungary about 20 years ago I spoke German most of the time.

I think I also feel a bit self-conscious not speaking anything of the local language as it just feeds into the ignorant British stereotype.

It's never crossed my mind. We're off to Prague for a weekend soo and vietnam next summer - I couldn't be limited by languages