Say what?

If you think you can travel without a basic knowledge of your destinations’ native languages, you should give it another thought.

Westernization has definitely made an impact across the world. Travelers are aware that finding a locally-made souvenir is already a challenge. Even major cities have gradually and in some places abruptly adopted the English language­ so much so that native languages are losing their mystique while making it easier for English speaking people to travel all over.

Last week, however, I had the pleasure of speaking with a tour agent about traveling southern Italy.

Although there are islands i.e. Sicily that are easy to navigate due to their English application in their every day speech, many smaller cities within Italy are not as accommodating. In fact, to work for a tour agency, speaking Italian is not a bonus but a requirement. If you’re lost in northern Italy, as I was in Venice during an off season, you may not run into an English speaking Italian with a GPS.

If you think about it, language is a beautiful cultural device, and we are fortunate that many countries and cities preserve their native tongues. If you are not a traveler, I want to emphasis the importance of learning a second language – especially if you plan to journey beyond touristy destinations­ or if you travel during an off season. Foreign languages are still alive!

Just a tip 

Written by: Backpack Britt 

Hello. I’m Brittany, and I like to travel. I enjoy sharing photos and telling stories about the places I’ve been and the experiences I’ve had. After graduating college, I backpacked Europe alone. Some would say I’m a bold traveler, but I feel like I’m just getting started. I tend to attract colorful situations, so I hope you enjoy what you read! ​