However, dont be afraid to use your high school Spanish, French or German. The mere gesture of trying is usually met with grace and appreciation. It is certainly helpful to learn a few phrases in the local language, as it will enrich your experience and help find your way to the taxi stand or the restaurant you are looking for. Some key phrases to learn include: hello, good-bye, please, thank you, where is, do you speak English, as well as directions left and right. Purchase a dictionary before your departure: Collins publishes small, pocket dictionaries with durable vinyl covers that slip easily into a purse or backpack.
Ask the concierge or desk manager at your hotel to write directions in the local language on the back of the hotels business card or stationery, thus insuring you will find your way there and back. When you speak in English, do so clearly, distinctly and slowly, but not necessarily louder a common error that rarely results in better understanding!
Main Languages by Country
- Austria German
- Belgium Dutch, French and German
- Britain English
- Bulgaria Bulgarian
- Croatia Croatian
- Cyprus Greek, Turkish, English
- Czech Republic Czech
- Denmark Danish
- Estonia Estonian
- Finland Finnish and Swedish
- France French
- Germany German
- Greece Greek
- Holland Dutch
- Hungary Hungarian
- Iceland Icelandic
- Ireland English
- Italy Italian
- Latvia Latvian
- Lithuania Lithuanian
- Luxembourg French, German, Luxembourgish
- Malta Maltese and English
- Monaco French
- Norway Norwegian
- Poland Polish
- Portugal Portuguese
- Romania Romanian
- Slovakia Slovak
- Slovenia Slovene
- Spain Spanish
- Sweden Swedish
- Switzerland German, French and Italian
- Turkey Turkish
- Ukraine Ukrainian
