AIBU to think taking a translation dictionary abroad is a good idea?

[HawaiianSunset12]

Apparently it's a stupid idea because they all speak English abroad anyway

Haha no, they don't and a phrase book is a good idea.

Where are you off to?

Even if the locals speak English where you're going it's very good manners to least attempt a few phrases. It goes down well even if all you can say is "Sorry I only speak English", "please", "thank you" etc.,

I had a wonderful unexpected morning in a Spanish market with 3 very patient locals who escorted me around and tried to teach me the whole language in 1/2 an hour. We then had coffee. It wouldn't have happened if I'd not bothered trying to speak their language.

And even if they do, it's polite and appreciated to make a bit of an effort. Have a good trip!

Oh and you can always shout louder at them if they seem not to understand you. Everybody knows all foreigners can speak English. They just pretend not to in order to be difficult.

You can get some apps for smart phones too, which might be handier than a book sometimes. My DS had one that would let him scan with the camera and then give a translation. Useful for menus and notices.

Oh I always bring a little phrase book.

It's nice to make an effort, you'll get better service and I don't feel like an entitled knob.

'What ho, you don't speak English, you dashed Johnny Foreigner'.

If you're going on holiday with the person who thinks you don't need one, take one yourself and refuse to translate menus for them. You get delicious food, they get fried goat testicles.

I must confess I didn't take a phrase book to Finland, really was relying on people speaking English. It worked, and when it didn't I fell back on guessing what the Swedish versions of signs meant (there's really no guessing with Finnish, the only word I recognised all week was 'pineapple').

I would, but then I like languages anyway. But modern phrase books often have separate sections for menu translation and things like that, as well as all the bits about booking rooms, getting the right train, finding a doctor and so on. They don't take much space. And people don't all speak English, not even if you speak slower and louder.

At the weekend we are going on holiday to Germany for a fortnight. I got an O level grade C in German about 35 years ago and haven't used it since so to say it is a bit rusty is an understatement! I have got a phrase book and a dictionary and will defintiely not be relying on them all spearking English though I hope most of them do a bit

If you've not done German for 35 years, know that a mobile phone is das Handy. I got really confused when one of my German colleagues kept asking if I had my handy with me - he assumed that it was a term that would be the same in English, as it basically is English, and I kept asking, "What's handy? A handy what?"

5foot5 - definitely try, it changes the attitude totally if you at least try some wits in the local language. you may be amazed how many word pop out of your head after this time. It is over 30 years since my last French class, but on holidays I can recall so much ..... It really does surprise me. I only wish I could remember things from last week/ yesterday just as well!!

I reckon it's always worth being able to say 'Please' and 'Thank You' and 'How much?' and 'Toilets?', and if you can manage 'Two coffees/beers/white wines" your life will be that much more comfortable.

I can mangle my way through enough French to make my listeners smile indulgently as they switch to English rather than roll their eyes heavenwards at another bloody tourist who can't even be bothered to try.

It's only polite to make some effort when you are visiting their country.

Yes, I always take a phrase book with me and try to know a few useful words and phrases and bits of information that might prevent an embarrassing situation. Like the time I ordered food in a restaurant not knowing the word next to our choices was "takeaway" and then the staff refused to let us eat the food there. Or the time we sat at a bus stop waiting for ages not understanding the woman who kept repeating one phrase to us which would have explained everything - it turned out to be "not on Sundays". Also you might really need it in an emergency.

I think it's rude to take the attitude that they all speak English abroad. Many countries do but you should make an effort.

I reckon it's always worth being able to say 'Please' and 'Thank You' and 'How much?' and 'Toilets?', and if you can manage 'Two coffees/beers/white wines" your life will be that much more comfortable.

Bitte
Danke Shoen
Was kostet?
Wo is das Klo?
Zwei kafe/bier/wein

How did I do? That was off the top of my head. Phew!

Politely: Wo ist das WC (veh-tseh)? Not 'Klo', that's a bit colloquial (hoi John, where's the khazi?)