Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > SOUTH AMERICA
Advisable to travel in South America, without knowning Spanish or Portugesee Advisable to travel in South America, without knowning Spanish or Portugesee
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
SOUTH AMERICA Topics specific to South America only.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Like Tree14Likes

Reply
Page 1 of 3 1 23
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 13 Feb 2021
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2021
Posts: 5
Advisable to travel in South America, without knowning Spanish or Portugesee
Is it advisable to do this? How many people are speaking Englisch?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 13 Feb 2021
jkrijt's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 638
In countries where I don't speak the language, I always carry a little book with me with pictures of the most common things like food, gasstation, hotel etc. so with pictures you can show what you want.

I have another, a smaller book but I found this on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Wordless-Trav.../dp/0898158095
__________________
Jan Krijtenburg

My bikes are a Honda GoldWing GL1200 and a BMW R1200GS

My personal homepage with trip reports: https://www.krijtenburg.nl/
YouTube channel (that I do together with one of my sons): motormobilist.nl
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 14 Feb 2021
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Tucson
Posts: 70
Cell Phones
Most phones have translator apps. that you can download,, on your phone.

But its fun testing your language skills while traveling..

Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 14 Feb 2021
brclarke's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Vancouver Island, Canada
Posts: 812
Because it shares Latin roots with English, Spanish is a (relatively) easy language for English speakers to learn. Take a Spanish course online or get some books and start picking up some vocabulary.

Do you really want to restrict all of your riding to only English-speaking countries?
__________________
Bruce Clarke - 2020 Yamaha XV250
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 14 Feb 2021
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Bern, CH
Posts: 263
Hello

Quote:
Originally Posted by capricorn View Post
Is it advisable to do this?
No, but you don't need a lot to survive.

Quote:
Originally Posted by capricorn View Post
How many people are speaking Englisch?
As always, younger people closer to big cities will more likely speak some english and the more you pay for the hotel.

Depending on how long you plan to stay think about some weeks of private tutoring or a language school.

I did 10 lessons at home and travelled half way through Mexico.
Was enough but no fun, was planning to go to a school for a few weeks.
Found a great place in Puerto Escondido, first lesson was "difference between ser and estar".

sushi
__________________
My RTW:
http://www.youtube.com/user/MrXt660ztenere
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 14 Feb 2021
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Colombia,(when not travelling)
Posts: 304
People are friendly everywhere - you won't run into difficulties eating and drinking, and people will help you avoid insecure situations. However if you're trying to explain an electrical or mechanical problem (or anything else more complicated) you may find a barrier, however I wouldn't let this stop you - part of the fun. I've travelled many places where I knew little or nothing of the language (in South America and elsewhere), and never been unable to get along.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 15 Feb 2021
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: NSW Australia - but never there
Posts: 1,235
Spent two years in China and ndver progressed beyond Hello goodbye and counting to 10.
6 months in Turkey and Morocco with zero language ability.
Fair while Mexico andv south America including Brasil with almost no conversation skills.

Pretty good at miming though.
__________________
Tony
Click here for Travel Photos & Travel Map
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 15 Feb 2021
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Portugal permanent, Sweden during summer
Posts: 464
Attitude
I think that it has to do a lot with your own attitude.

I you try to meet people in their own way and language as good as you can. Pictures, pointing, trying a few words....They get happy and things go well.
I know some Spanish and Portuguese.
If I start with English and assume that they will adapt to me, they do not what to speak English.

But if I start in Portuguese, and they realize that I try to do my best. But it does not go that well. They often answer with an English explanation. Not good for my learning, but it works.
We are the guests, that should accept and adopt.

Not American gringos that think that they are superior and behave accordingly.

I might get some hammer in my head for this opinion. But that is OK
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 15 Feb 2021
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 828
I did travelling 6 months in SA without spanish skills. Did a Transafrica without french, did travel in Idia, Thailand and Laos without local language skills.

You get what you can expect.

Travelling is possible. For socializing and fight against feeling lonely you can use Traveler Map, or visiting hostels where you can meet english speakers.

Getting in touch with locals is limited to the upper class, who was able to learn other languages.

So you will miss how helpful and nice the people are, even in remote areas.

To train a new language seems a good way to start a trip

If you like to see landscape, dont want to get in touch with locals - you can start without to know the local language.

Guess some of my most valuable travel apps will help you too..

Surfy
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 15 Feb 2021
Gold Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: opelousas la
Posts: 74
If you don't do well with other languages(me), try to learn a few things--please, thank you, I need, I want, how much, count to 20, where is a motel, menu please, please(or whatever you prefer), I like your country, everyone is so friendly, like your food, I speak very very very little Spanish, do you speak English? Be polite, do not show disgust with the local situations, do not talk politics-you are a visitor, not a voter. I went from Louisiana to Bolivia and lived in Lima for a year with that amount of language skill. Smile a lot , even when you want to hit them with a hammer. I found people who spoke English at a cross road in Bolivia. Carry a dictionary. Have fun.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 15 Feb 2021
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Belper, uk, EUROPE
Posts: 539
If you want to try an online language course in Spanish then there is a voucher for Babbel.com where you get 6 months extra tuition if you go for the 6 month course. The voucher code is “FISH”. I have no idea how long the voucher is valid for. The voucher is from a podcast called “No Such Thing As A Fish”.
__________________
You will have to do without pocket handkerchiefs, and a great many other things, before we reach our journey's end, Bilbo Baggins. You were born to the rolling hills and little rivers of the Shire, but home is now behind you. The world is ahead.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 16 Feb 2021
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,656
I would hazard a guess that 99% of people who have travelled in South America do not speak any of the native languages.

And they did just fine.

However, your experience will be richer if you make the effort.

You're never going to speak fluent Spanish after a few months or even years of classes and home learning. So don't beat yourself up about it.

I spent years learning Spanish before I went to South America.

And when I got off the plane, I couldn't understand anything nor they could understand me. It was quite disheartening.

Because everyone talks in slang or with very strong accents.

Most hotels or hostels will have a decent grip of English. And all other foreign travellers will mostly speak English.

Technology now means that you can easily translate anything with a smart phone. Even a conversation.
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Last edited by *Touring Ted*; 16 Feb 2021 at 17:21.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 16 Feb 2021
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Colombia,(when not travelling)
Posts: 304
Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post

Most hotels or hostels will have a decent grip of English. And all other foreign travellers will mostly speak English.

Technology now means that you can easily translate anything with a smart phone. Even a conversation.
...and English is the most common second language taught in school in much of South America. A lot of young people speak English quite well.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 16 Feb 2021
javkap's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Buenos Aires - Argentina
Posts: 517
Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post

Because everyone talks in slang or with very strong accents.
Same happen to me at some places and with some people for communicate in English at UK, specially with some of your fiends at your area!!! Still thinking they speak a dialect...
__________________
Javier...
Dakar Motos “ ”
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 16 Feb 2021
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 3,905
Javier, it's been well established that "English" is just an exotic dialect of "American." Take it from me.
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 1 of 3 1 23

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Power of Attorney for a Motorcycle in South America (template). estebangc Trip Paperwork 18 23 Dec 2018 19:21
South America Tour, buy the bike ? how ? rebel rider SOUTH AMERICA 9 14 Mar 2014 03:08
Question regarding to license in south america. Or hrpaz Trip Paperwork 2 4 Nov 2013 18:59
Ongoing blogs in South America scooper SOUTH AMERICA 79 26 Aug 2013 14:18

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 03:07.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top