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.
214 Paul Theroux Interview Part 1
Book Club 08: Down Under by Bill Bryson
213 Sustainable Travel Tips
212 Honeymoons and Weddings
211 Visiting Cervantes in Western Australia
210 How Travel Helps Us Really Understand the World
209 Travelling With Grandchildren
Book Club 07: Step By Step by Simon Reeve
208 Local Trips - Meckering in Western Australia
207 Writing Retreats Around the World
Book Club 06: The Salt Path by Raynor Winn
206 Alpaca My Bags Meets The Thoughtful Travel Podcast
205 What Turns Us Into Travellers
204 Island Travel
203 Student Exchange Trips
202 Wildflowers in Western Australia Trip Diary
201 Listener Stories
200 Podcast Listener Interviews
199 Responsible Animal Tourism
198 Early Trips of Experienced Travellers
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