By The Hunger
When I was in Barcelona a couple of weeks ago, their dual language street signs reminded me that I had entered the Spanish province of Catalonia. The Catalonian language occupies the pole language position here in this region of Spain while Castilian (Spanish) takes a back seat to its Catalonian counterpart.
Although there are definite similarities between the two languages, and Catalonians have no problem understanding Spanish, Spanish-only speakers wouldn’t understand 100% of a Catalonian conversation
One Way Conversation
Most of the world speaks some English, but how much do they really understand? Casual head-nodding together with an overzealous use of “yes” are convincing ways to bluff an unaware native speaker. More importantly, how much would a non-native speaker really understand from a conversation with a native speaker in a bar?
If you’re there regaling the tale of how you sailed solo around the perilous Cape Hope, or the time you and Mike Tyson sparred for 10 rounds to win points with her, she may have already decided on some Danny DeVito look alike in the bar that just happens to speak English she can understand.
Some 300-400 million people speak English as a native language, and another 200-1400 million people speak English as a second language. But how much do these second-language-speakers understand with a belly full of rum and a stereo system with temperamental bass levels. It all seems like conversational suicide. But alas, all is not lost; there are ways to increase your communicative chances without her needing to understand Shakespeare.
Ways of Communicating
As an English teacher who teaches other nationalities, I have to use alternative ways of communicating when dealing with low-level learners. Some easy ways to do this is to use a lot of body language, and to “grade” my English when I speak.
The first idea is fairly straightforward; body language is a very effective way of communicating. Think English, but move your hands like you’re an Italian or Greek. Watch some Italian films for inspiration. Think about when you’re talking to someone who doesn’t speak your language, you instinctively revert to using body language, our most primal form of communication. Being aware of body language is important here, hers as well as yours. I have always found that girls love it when guys are animated in their conversations; it shows passion and the potential to be amusing. Be careful not to overdo it, otherwise you’ll look like Cosmo Kramer doing yoga. I once taught an elementary class for 4 months. Towards the end of my stint, if you were to observe me from a distance you would have thought I was a semi-professional mime, certifiably nuts.
Props are another way to animate your conversations. Anything that helps to communicate your point, use it. Pepper and salt shakers, cutlery, cleavage, I’ve used it all.
You want to “grade” certain parts of your speech so you are more easily understood. Think of how you would speak to a child; you wouldn’t use complex words like brevity, or engage in complicated topics such as capital punishment. Adjust levels depending on their English language ability
Essentially, you’re removing the excess language from sentences so they can focus on the core communicative message. Similar to how you take away auxiliary language when you write a text message on your mobile to save having to send two text messages. When someone who doesn’t speak English very well talks to you, they tend to misuse verb tenses, confuse prepositions or confuse the word order in their sentences. It’s not difficult to fill in the gaps when someone says, “Russia I live?” By slowing your language speed and limiting your vocab range, you’ll notice a big difference.
Vocab-check big words. If you aren’t sure they understand a word you used, ask what that word is in their language. If they still don’t understand, simplify vocab or sentences. Rinse and repeat where necessary.
Now if she can’t understand any English, and you can’t find any language to communicate in, you could use one of her friends to translate key sentences. E.g. “I would love to dance with your friend.” Don’t go overboard because you run the risk of being a gimmick or just plain annoying. No human translator around? Take her hand and lead her to the dance floor. Girls love guys who can dance. I wish I could dance, then I wouldn’t talk so much!
Being versatile and using different ways to communicate is the key. Make sure she has a chance to communicate otherwise you’ll be having a One-Way Conversation all the way home.
