July 16th 2024.
"Can I have three beers please?" We Brits may not have a reputation for being linguistically gifted, but when it comes to beer, we sure know our stuff. A recent survey by Amazon revealed that the average UK adult can order a beer in three different languages, with some even able to do so in five or more tongues. Impressive, right? But let's be honest, did we ever doubt the British and their love for a good pint?
The survey, which included 75,000 Amazon workers in the UK, was part of their Chatterbox series, a study that gives insight into the opinions of citizens in today's society. Aside from drinks orders, it also showed that we aren't exactly fluent in other languages, but we do make an effort to learn the basics when traveling abroad. According to travel and language expert Alex Rawlings, most Brits know phrases like "excuse me," "I don't understand," and "where is the toilet?" in three different languages, which is a good starting point.
Speaking of traveling, Rawlings recommends that we master at least five phrases before visiting a foreign country. These include a greeting, an expression of gratitude, an apology for not speaking the language, a question phrase, and a compliment. According to Rawlings, these phrases can help us connect with the locals and make our travel experience more enjoyable.
One respondent, 31-year-old Ben Walmsley, shared his experience of trying to speak Spanish during a holiday in Benidorm, Spain. He admits that his Spanish wasn't great, but his efforts didn't go unnoticed. In fact, he even became friends with the head waiter at his hotel, who would often mimic his attempts at speaking Spanish. By the end of the holiday, they were given the best table in the house, free drinks, and bottles of prosecco. It just goes to show that making an effort can lead to unexpected rewards.
But let's be real, we all have our stumbling blocks when it comes to learning a new language. According to the survey, the most commonly confused words for Brits are "fizzy" and "still," followed by "left" and "right." However, the majority of us are polite, as "please" and "thank you" are also phrases that trip us up.
Despite these challenges, Rawlings urges us not to be discouraged and to keep trying. He explains that even just knowing a few phrases can go a long way, especially in countries like Greece where the locals take pride in their language and appreciate any effort to speak it.
The survey also revealed some "language cheats" that Brits use when traveling abroad, such as only learning the first half of a sentence and hoping to finish it in English. Some even admit to only learning how to ask "do you speak English?" while others are too embarrassed to try speaking a different language. As a result, some have been sent to the wrong place, ordered the wrong dish in a restaurant, or have been short-changed because of a language barrier. Despite these mishaps, the majority of Brits vow to brush up on their language skills before their next holiday, although not everyone follows through.
Rawlings, who is fluent in 16 languages, believes that the reason why many of us don't bother learning a new language is because we don't feel the need to. English is widely spoken and understood in most parts of the world, so why put in the effort? But he encourages us to challenge ourselves and reap the many benefits of learning a new language, including expanding our horizons and connecting with people from different cultures.
And let's not forget, learning a new language can also help us order something other than beer on our next holiday. Cheers to that! Do you have a similar experience to share? We'd love to hear it! Send us an email at [email address].
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