How to Break Thru Language Barrier
Not everyone we meet speaks and understands our language. The harder part comes when we try to communicate in English (the universal language) and the other person is still struggling to understand what we wish to say. This is a very challenging situation. However, breaking thru the language barrier is still possible by applying the following steps:
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Instructions
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Show the willingness to communicate. Put the other person at ease by how you present yourself. He/she is already self-conscious and uncomfortable by the fact that there is difficulty understanding between the two of you. Be friendly, nice, and kind to the other person. Let him feel there is nothing to be afraid of because you are trying your best to understand and communicate.
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Speak slowly. If the other person knows how to speak and understand English, chances are he is not very familiar with all the words you will use and how you will pronounce them. It will help him digest better what you are trying to say when you speak to him a little bit slower than your usual conversation. This gives him the time to process the information in his head before he can fully understand what you said.
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Use body language. Words backed up with body gestures help a lot in expressing what you wish to say. I once heard a story about an immigrant young boy who came to United States with his parents. In school one day, he felt an urge to use the restroom. Knowing very little English, he tried to ask his classmates how to get there but nobody understood him. Feeling he can't hold it any longer, he approached his teacher. While talking, he made a gesture of trying to pull his pants down and making facial expressions to let the other person know he needed to use the restroom badly. Finally, he was understood and he was led to the right place.
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Use visual aid. This is most helpful when asking or giving directions to someone who doesn't understand too much your language. Draw, use pictures, or things to represent ideas, persons or places. It will make it more understanding what each of you is trying to say if it is backed up with images that both of you can relate.
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When communication gets harder because of the language barrier, use the help of an interpreter or translator who can explain and relay the message effectively between you and the other person. It will save both of you the headache and the embarrassment of misunderstanding each other.
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Keep trying. Sometimes it takes a little bit more effort to let your message be understood by the other person and his to you. However, if both of you keep on trying until you got it, it's worth the effort. Also, remember to have a sense of humor to make the ordeal a bit lighter and the whole experience fun instead of stressful.
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Learn the language. To effectively break down the language barrier and communicate better with others who don't speak your native tongue, how about devote time to learn slowly their language? Even simple phrases mean a lot. Likewise, doing this not only helps your communication skills, it also has an impact on your personal advancement as well.
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Resources
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Comments
View all 6 Comments-
This is great info. I'm glad I looked it up. Communication skills, patience and time something evryone should learn.
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rewrite810
Jan 22, 2009
These are wonderful suggestions, thank you! 5*
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lydiabily
Dec 21, 2008
Excellent tips on how to communicate effectively and sensitively with a non-native English speaker. Using multiple ways of trying to communicate helps a lot, and you've provided a great list.
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HardworkinJudy
Dec 20, 2008
Great tips and I love the pictures you used to illustrate!
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Mandica
Dec 12, 2008
These are some great ideas! I work with alot of people for whom English is not their first language, and I have used many of these techniques. I have found that being friendly, smiling, and PATIENT is a good way to go. I used to work with a woman who thought that by speaking louder she could get the non-native person to understand what she meant. She would practically shout at them! Needless to say, that was very rude and they probably thought she was crazy as well. Great article!
