A human connection - whether it’s brief and in passing, or deeper and more lasting, is a wonderful side product of travelling in another country. Those connections help us learn so much more than a guidebook or top ten list can ever tell us, and are often the most memorable parts of a trip. Sometimes a language barrier prevents this connection and so in Episode 277 we talk about the ways knowing a local language, whether just a few words or fluently, can make a huge difference to the quality of your experience.
As well as fabulous anecdotes shared by members Anuj, Justin and Carolanna, members of the Thoughtful Travellers community, I also speak with three guests. Eliza Raymond summarises perfectly how a common language is so connecting, and then James Patterson gives a great example of learning some words of local language during his stays on Orkney. Finally, Kayra Martinez, who’s spent a lot of time studying many languages, discusses the value of language learning not just amongst travellers but amongst refugees as well, in the context of a northern Greece refugee camp where she’s spent a lot of time working. Throughout the episode I also make mention of some of the academic research on the topic, carried out by Portuguese researchers.
Links:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
322 Life-Changing Study Abroad Experiences
321 B Corps in the Travel Industry
320 Thanks for the Travel Bug, Mum
319 Homestays When You Travel
318 Gevorg Babayan: Deep Dive into Experiential Tours in Armenia and Beyond
317 Border Crossing Tales
316 Fathers on Travelling with Kids
315 Meeting Locals When We Travel
314 Paul Christie, CEO Walk Japan - Deep Dive into Revitalising Rural Japan
313 Train Travel in Australia
312 Giving Back When We Travel
311 Micah Kamohoali’i - Deep Dive into Hawaiian Culture and Tourism
310 Fukushima, Japan - Hope Tourism, not Dark Tourism
309 SXSW Sydney: Why We Need Travel More Than Travel Needs Us
308 Walk Japan: Following Basho’s Road to the North
307 When Things Go Wrong At Sea
306 Eco-Accommodation
305 Accessible Gold Coast Travels
304 Bangkok Travels with Friends
303 Digital Nomad Life
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