Today is a chance to celebrate translators and interpreters who keep us connected each and everyday across the world.
The United Nations recognises the day as: “an opportunity to pay tribute to the work of language professionals, which plays an important role in bringing nations together, facilitating dialogue, understanding and cooperation, contributing to development and strengthening world peace and security.”
The day can also be celebrated by learning some basic language translations!
With travel resuming in destinations such as Spain, France and Croatia, we’ve conjured up some basic travel translations that could be useful for your next trip!
(Language, Hello, how are you?)
Spanish – Hola, como estas?
French – Bonjour, comment vas-tu?
Portuguese – Olá, como vai?
Croatian – Bok, kako si?
Greek – Geia pós eísai?
(Language, Where is the restaurant?)
Spanish – Dónde está el restaurante?
French – Où est le restaurant?
Portuguese – Onde é o restaurante?
Croatian – Gdje je restoran?
Greek – Pou eínai to estiatório?
(Language, Please can I have ___ )
Spanish – Por favor puedo tener ___
French – S’il vous plaît, puis-je avoir ___
Portuguese – Por favor, posso ter ___
Croatian – Molim vas, mogu li ___
Greek – Boró na écho parakaló ___
(Language – Can you help me?)
Spanish – ¿Me puedes ayudar?
French – Pouvez-vous m’aider?
Portuguese – Pode me ajudar?
Croatian – Možeš li mi pomoći?
Greek – Boreís na me voithíseis?
(Language, Please can I have the bill?)
Spanish – Por favor, ¿puedo tener la factura?
French – S’il vous plaît, puis-je avoir la facture?
Portuguese – Por favor, posso ficar com a conta?
Croatian – Mogu li dobiti račun?
Greek – Parakaló boró na écho ton logariasmó?
Top Tips For Learning a Language!
Immerse yourself in the language
Become immersed in the language by listening to foreign films and music. As your language improves, start reading books in the language and use a dictionary to translate any words you don’t understand.
Make sure to study pronunciation
Many language learners can fixate on grammar and vocabulary, however, pronunciation is much more difficult to fix in the later stages of language learning. Make sure to practice pronunciation by impersonating other language speakers.
Practice speaking early
Many people fear speaking in another language due to embarrassment or saying something wrong, however, it’s easier to learn the language while you’re practising it. Try and have daily conversations in the language, or use speaking apps to help yourself learn.
Be consistent
One classic New Year’s resolution is learning a new language, however many of us don’t follow through with the goal. The key to language learning is to stay motivated and keep going. It will be challenging at times, but worth the effort in the long run.
Make it fun
Language learning can and should be fun. Immersing yourself in a new culture and new possibilities will only open doors to new opportunities. You’ll make new friends and gain new experiences all through learning.
Translations and tips provided by Preply- More tips and tricks to learning a language can be found here
