Language Learning

Learning the lingo: 60% of Britons study key words before travel - despite our reputation! By Travelmail Reporter PUBLISHED: 11:34, 14 June 2013 | UPDATED: 13:38, 14 June 2013

12 shares 2 View comments Britons have a terrible reputation for speaking slowly and loudly in English while abroad instead of attempting the local lingo, but it seems we are not as linguistically-challenged as expected. Nearly 60 per cent of holidaymakers say they at least try to speak the language of the country they are visiting and we are more interested in minding our Ps and Qs than learning the words for beer and wine.

More than three-quarters of Britons make sure they learn the word for "thank you" before travelling, with 55 per cent learning "please" and 31 per cent knowing how to use the phrase "excuse me". Breaking down barriers: The majority of Britons actually try to learn key words in a foreign language before they travel The survey conducted by Travelsupermarket.com reveals that we should have more faith in our language ability. Just 46 per cent of us think we know some basic phrases in another language, but when tested 59 per cent could recognise key words. More than 90 per cent knew the meaning of the French sentence "Parlez vous anglais?" ("Do you speak english"), while 88 per cent knew the Spanish sentence "Dondé esta la estación de autobus?" ("Where is the bus station?"). More...Low-cost carrier easyJet signs deal to double passenger numbers at Stansted Holidaymakers at risk as 25% fail to take out insurance when they travel abroad British families stranded across France as airlines are told to scrap every other French flight due to air traffic strike

A further 60 per cent knew that "Oú est la plage?" meant "where is the beach" in French, with more than 50 per cent knowing that key Spanish phrase "Dos cervezas por favour!" - "Two beers please!".

And it`s not just French and Spanish phrases we recognise. The term in Italian "Quanto costa?" was correctly identified by 73 per cent of respondents to mean "How much is this?". Sign language: If we can`t remember the word, British travellers resort to international symbols to make themselves understood Of course, when words fail us, British travellers are a creative bunch and 69 per cent of holidaymakers admitted to using those international hand symbols to ask for the bill, order a drink and ask to see the menu. But contrary to the popular myth that Britons assume everyone will speak English, 59 per cent of travellers try to learn some key phrases before going abroad, while 25 per cent rely on their hotel or a friendly barman to give them a few pointers. And with 27 per cent of us feeling frustrated at our lack of linguistic knowledge, there`s an opportunity to learn a new language. A quarter of Britons would love to learn Spanish, with 21 per cent wanting to learn French and nine per cent choosing Italian as the language they`d love to speak fluently. Linguist professor Yaron Matras, at the University of Manchester, said: "The general perception is that British people tend not to be that forthcoming when it comes to speaking a foreign language when they go abroad. What this research has shown however, is that we do in fact make the effort to try and learn the local language to help us get the best out of our holiday." Bob Atkinson, travel expert at Travelsupermarket.com, added: "With huge numbers of us travelling overseas, language is part of the holiday fun, learning a few key phrases and simple pleasantries make a huge difference to how you are received in shops, hotels, restaurants and taxis.

"And whilst our attempts may well result in panic at a quickly spoken reply we don't understand or merely a word perfect English answer from the barman who in fact comes from Bolton, the fact we have had a go is all part of the experience."