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Overcomming the language barrier Overcomming the language barrier
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sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
Photo by Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

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Photo of Lois Pryce, UK
and schoolkids in Algeria



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  #1  
Old 18 Jul 2007
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Overcomming the language barrier
Hey guys. Would love some input from people who've done the western route of Africa.

As far as I can tell, speaking french would be a huge help. Sadly, I don't speak a word of it . The only usefull language I speak is english since I pressume neither danish or german will do me any good in Africa..hehe.

So I'd be interested to know if anyone with simillar language skills has braved the continent.

I've been considering taking some beginners course in french, but unsure if it'll do me any good on a trip like this. Perhaps I should just hook up with my brother, who is fluent in french, and learn some appropriate phrases?

Ideas, comments, experiences?
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Old 18 Jul 2007
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Language
Ideally youll need english french and portugese. You will get away with english but try the Micheal Thomas french course..its good..i speak poor french and they made allowances...don't worry you'll be fine

jeff watts

Gone wandering

ps i have a lot of gps points for places down the west route if your interested
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Old 18 Jul 2007
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Jeff,

I'd be interested in those GPS points....

Cheers,

Chris
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Old 18 Jul 2007
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Hey Jeff.

I think I allready got those WP off you. To be honest, I had completely forgotten about them and haven't had a look at them yet on a map. But reading your website (I still chuckle when reading it for the umpteenth time) I'll pretty much be following in your footsteps. So they're bound to be very usefull to me.

As for the course you speak of, it does look quite interesting (found it quickly with a google search). Think I'll have a lash at the introductory course and see if that way of learning is for me. Thanks for the advice.
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Old 19 Jul 2007
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You'll need a few words of the language where ever you go. It just makes things friendly. The words of greating, goodbye, numbers to ten, yes, no, how much?, bad road, broken, good road, things like that are .. oh toilet ... very usefull! Best learnt before you need them .. Hotel, camping ground, food, place to eat .. handy stuff like that
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Old 19 Jul 2007
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Another vote for Michel Thomas. Even the two-hour intro gives you a great deal of confidence. The full course is eight hours, followed by five hours of Advanced French.

It doesn't matter about gramatical correctness as French is a second language to the locals and they will be most forgiving, especially if you combine your terrible French with some mime!

One of the most useful basic phrases is 'pour allez á ...?' (for going to ...?)

Pour allez á une hotel? Where is there a hotel?
Pour allez á essence? Where is a petrol station?
Pour allez á Dakar? Which way to Dakar?

Tim
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Old 19 Jul 2007
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Knowing a bit of French does make the atlantic route easier. You can get by without any but the Michel Thomas introductory course is pretty cheap (if you can't get it from your local library) and and will give you a lot more confidence. Stick it on your ipod and learn as you ride.
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