Is it advisable to do this? How many people are speaking Englisch?

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

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Jan Krijtenburg

My bikes are a Honda GoldWing GL1200 and a Harley-Davidson FXD Dyna Super Glide

My personal homepage with trip reports: https://www.krijtenburg.nl/
YouTube channel (that I do together with one of my sons): motormobilist.nl

Most phones have translator apps. that you can download,, on your phone.

But its fun testing your language skills while traveling..

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?

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Bruce Clarke - 2020 Yamaha XV250

Is anything like this, available as a app for the phone?

I speak basic Spanish, also have translation app on the phone so I can speak in English and have it repeat in Spanish, but some things just don't translate.

So you Google the word of phrase you want, switch to images and show them the image.

I've attached a PDF of my biking vocabulary for Spanish and French which might be of use (print out and trim off the edges).
.

Attached Files

kb 20vocab.pdf (66.1 KB, 177 views)

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"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)

Tim, I'll have to add that to the HU Motorcycle and Vehicle Tech Terms Translation section that's been growing since 2003 or so. LOTS in there, but can always use more.

If anyone wants to add to it, please check it out!

Currently we're pretty good on: English Deutsch Francais Italiano Portugese Espanol Romanian Russian Japanese Greek Turkish Korean Polish

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Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Wow, didn't realise that existed. Great resource.

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"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)

Hello

No, but you don't need a lot to survive.

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

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My RTW:
http://www.youtube.com/user/MrXt660ztenere

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.

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.

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Tony
Click here for Travel Photos & Travel Map

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

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

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About Overlanding, Travelogues, Equipment
Trans-Africa over the west coast

When are you going? If you want to experience the sights and people of Latin America off the beaten gringo/tourist path, vs seeking out English speaking travelers at English speaking hostels, then start learning Spanish now. What's your level of commitment to preparing for your trip?

Yes, you can travel in Latin America without Spanish, but it is so much richer if you have some language skills. It's lonely as a solo traveler when you don't have minimal language skills. Without local language skills you will seek out English speaking travelers at English speaking hostals and bars in the big cities.

Use a travel/verbal oriented study method to learn Spanish. Forget reading and flashcards. Pimsleur and Rocket Spanish are two study programs using a verbal approach. Bring a language translation app to fill in the gaps, plus one of those picture books. Prep your language skills with the same gusto as you prep your moto! Both are equally important for a rich experience. With covid restrictions in much of Latin America, you have the time.

With some Spanish skills, I've been invited to dinner with the hotel proprietor and family more than once. Been told of places to visit that the locals know about (oil bird cave, ancient ruins where I'm there solo, local small operation mine, several awesome hikes; waterfalls, petrified forest, vistas, jungle paths...) Found some of the best prepared and fresh fish - several. Watched as a llama got skillfully skinned and butchered for Easter dinner. Because my moto chain terminally broke, I rode down steep, narrow, windy mountain roads in an overloaded potato truck (with bad brakes) and learned about the drivers life and his boys. Got invited by the senior ladies to the community building (I'm an older fellow) to watch the indigenous school kids and singles dancing, plus shared fermented pineapple from a gourd cup. Found places to stay when there appeared to be nowhere to stay. Enjoyed soda with a fellow while admiring his racing quad in his shop. Been informed of several detours around land slide, washed out bridge, road construction delay. Admired dirt bikes with a bunch of younger local fellows over sodas. Be part of a translation string from a Quechua speaking fellow to a gal who translated to Spanish, and through me who roughly translated to my English speaking companera....

That's a taste of how a bit of language skill enrichens your trip (and my Spanish still sucks)!