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.
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284 Letting Go of Expectations on Your Travels
283 Antarctic Travel
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282 Friendships Made While Travelling
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281 Regenerative and Sustainable Travel
Book Club 14: A Beginner's Guide to Japan by Pico Iyer
280 Western Australia - Thoughtful Travels in 2022
279 Travels Along the LGBTQIA+ Rainbow
278 Saying Yes to Invitations from Locals
276 Walking the Cape to Cape Track in Western Australia with Catherine Marshall
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275 Kids Are Shaped By Travel
274 Dale Neill: Deep Dive into Thoughtful Travel
273 Broome, Western Australia
272 Travel Gives You Confidence
271 Six Years of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast
270 Post-Pandemic Travel: What Will Change?
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