The Man on the Train

The Train Station

It is embarrassing that Americans are not forced to learn more languages. Leaving U.S. soil and heading any place that does not list English as its national language will show you that. It is relatively easy for a United States (or United Kingdom) resident to get around the world, specifically because English is spoken so often. I think it does a disservice to ourselves to therefore rely on this convenience rather than force ourselves to expand options by diversifying our communication options.

In Belgium, you can’t get a job with the government unless you speak four languages. Almost everyone in Europe and Asia, especially of the younger generations, knows at least two. Though I studied Hebrew as a student for my Bat Mitzvah, I’ve never used it conversationally. I took more than four years of Spanish classes, but rarely take the opportunity to speak with the multitude of people around me in Southern California who could help me keep the words fresh in my memory bank. I’d really like to change that.

Though I was already experiencing the self-deprecation of being an influent American traveler in Europe, a man on a train decided to grind in just

The View from the train

how unfortunate my lack of ability is. We were headed by train to a portion of the picturesque (see right) Czech countryside called Kutna Hora while reading aloud (In English) from our Kindle. The man passed by us on the way to his seat and attempted to speak to us in Czech, which we do not speak. When we explain this to him, he grew very frustrated.

In very broken English, he growled “When I go to America, I must speak English. You are in Czech Republic. You should speak Czech. ” I apologized to the man on behalf of the American educational system. He grumbled away and left my travel partner and I dumbfounded and feeling bad. I wanted to visit him at his seat and explain that I too wish for that. That the reason I don’t speak Czech is not that I think my language is better, or that I shouldn’t have to learn it- but that I’ve never had the opportunity. Then I remembered that we don’t speak the same language and that an explanation (said, “excuse”) would not fix the problem.

After 2 months of being in countries where English is not the primary language, I’d like to say that treating a foreigner differently because s/he speaks a different language is inappropriate. No matter how frustrating the miscommunication(s) may be, it’s important to recognize that somewhere in the world- you can’t be understood either.

To bridge this gap, I highly recommend trying while traveling. Learn key phrases such as “Please” and “Thank You.” Even starting and ending with these small attempts fills the space around your conversation with attempts at meeting in the middle. And even better- go learn another language- or two. And then travel to a country that speaks that language. And then use it. The pride you feel for the accomplishment and the respect that you give to the native speakers has the capacity to make a real difference.

After all, wouldn’t it be amazing if we could all actually talk to one another?

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