December 11th, 2009
Retire Overseas – But Learn to Speak the Language Before You Go
Many people who want to retire elsewhere believe that this is a major problem, but the locals won’t necessarily agree. English is good enough to get by in most places as long as you have the proper attitude. English is a frequent second language in many nations, as it is now almost the universal language. Most people will try to help you if you show any interest in speaking the native language, even if you’re not doing well.
The French, for instance, have a reputation for being aloof – particularly with those foreigners who refuse to attempt any exchange in their beautiful language. I disagree. I’m sure that, as anywhere, there are those who are friendly and those who aren’t. Back when I was a student, I lived in Paris for a while and found the Parisians I met to be quite warm and welcoming. My kids and their classmates feel the same way. I spoke little French when I arrived, but I used it as much as possible right away. That show of goodwill made all the difference. Naturally, I hesitated and stammered quite a bit as I tried to make myself understood. The shopkeeper grinned at my obviously amusing errors.
I’d only spoken a little, but the man flattered me about my accent, saying he enjoyed my spoken French. Then he told me he could manage English and was glad to be able to practice it on me. I felt relieved that somebody could speak English to me. I then went to this man’s shop often for great talks in French and English, even after I’d gotten better at speaking French.
When tourists try to speak French, the French people find it very entertaining. International travel is a lot of fun. You get to experience new things and try out different cultures. There are even things for you to experience that you might not be comfortable with but that is what makes the adventure truly memorable. Trying new and different things allows for personal growth and an exciting new experience with tons of incredible memories.
It is always beneficial to learn to speak the native tongue in a new country. It is a demonstration of respect for the local inhabitants, and one they truly appreciate. Your thoughtfulness will do wonders for your acceptance as a friend.
If you balk at the thought of retiring overseas because of the language barrier, this is something you may want to reconsider. It is relatively simple and inexpensive to learn another language. Retiring overseas doesn’t absolutely require you to learn to speak another language, but personally, I would make a determined effort to speak the language of a country I was going to live in. But, that’s me.
You will enjoy living in another country much more if you can speak and understand the locals’ language. You’ll be able to understand the details of the culture much more easily, and it can be fascinating and enjoyable to become part of a different culture. It’s an experience you shouldn’t miss. It’s much easier to learn to speak another language if you live in a place where that language is spoken.
French was now flowing freely from me, as I was breathing, living, thinking, and even dreaming in the language by the time I left! The flight home provided a memorable experience, as I had to learn to turn off the language I had so recently become engulfed with. When the flight attendant spoke to me in English, I instinctively answered in French. Making the transition back to my native language required me ponder how to translate my thoughts back into English again. This experience still makes me laugh whenever I think of it. I will not soon forget my time in France and becoming fluent in the language only furthered my enjoyment of my time spent abroad.
Jackie Collins has researched language acquisition for more than 30 years. She knows it has never been easier to learn to speak a language . So, learn to speak proficiently, quickly, and naturally before you retire overseas. Visit our blog and subscribe to our newsletter for more details.