You’re working abroad and can’t speak the language. How do you make yourself understood?

Definitely learn a few basics - this builds rapport and shows respect towards the other culture. Then it is good to use technologies to help communicate to speed up processes if need be. All of this so depends on timelines and context. Reading the air is also a good skill that is helpful here as it helps you to see if your counterpart is with you. Setting a goal of learning a few phrases a day will help you feel more at ease.

In my experience, learning some basic expressions can really help! It not only aids communication, but also demonstrates that you care enough to make the effort. Most people appreciate this. Even a little knowledge of the language combined with a smile and some open body language can get you a long way.

I agree with a lot of the advice here. You absolutely need to learn some basics first. But, truly your success in that position will depend upon you learning the fundamentals of the common language. Your advancement and richness of the experience will be determined by how much you put into understanding the common language. Language is inextricably linked to culture. You'll miss out on a lot if you don't work to learn the language. Certainly learn about basic customs of being polite before you go. Politeness and respect of culture can go a long way in creating successful interactions. By all means, use technology to help, but also be open to making mistakes and asking for advice.

There are many ways to learn a language, and most start with phrases. If you have never lived in a foreign country, you might not realize how many everyday situations are entirely scripted: Restaurant visits, being at the grocery store, and to an extend even doctor visits. They follow a certain protocol (beware of cultural differences here, however!) and use a very restricted vocabulary. That means a great chance for successful interactions, so I recommend starting with those and learning certain phrases by heart for starters.

Smartphone translation apps can be a huge help to communicate on a basic level when necessary. And taking time to learn a few basic words and phrases before you travel (hello, please, thank you, sorry, help etc.) makes sense and is usually appreciated by people you meet.

When using Google Translate, remember that sentences are better than single words. Google can translate them more accurately because the information in the sentence as a whole provides context. If you are translating a single word (especially something with multiple meanings such as 'lift' or 'right') use an online dictionary instead of machine translation. This tip comes from a workshop I run for my clients called 'How to Use Google Translate in the Workplace.'

Non-verbals are more than just gestures. People undervalue the power of paper and pen! Write it down or draw a picture. ?? This also goes for slide design- make sure difficult words are written on the slide and use visuals to help your audience understand.

Gestures are often culturally rooted. For example 'fingers crossed' comes from Christianity, and 'thumbs up' comes from the Romans. Countries without that same heritage use these gestures differently or not at all. For example, thumbs up is extremely rude in parts of the Middle East and Africa.

Effective communication goes beyond words; nonverbal cues like facial expressions convey crucial information. While some expressions are universal, cultural differences influence their meanings. A gesture harmless in one culture might be offensive elsewhere, like the "thumbs up" in the Middle East or the "okay" hand sign in Brazil. High-context cultures, like in Asia and the Middle East, heavily rely on nonverbal cues for interpretation. Understanding these differences is vital to avoid communication pitfalls. Recognizing the culturally-bound nature of nonverbal communication allows us to fine-tune our skills for clearer, respectful cross-cultural relationships.

Based on what was said above about signs & symbols, a language was developed in 2007 called Makaton is a communication tool with speech, signs, and symbols to enable people to communicate. It was initially used for deaf people, but now is used to introduce speech in babies and for those who do not speak English.

Smile a lot! Greet people. Be open to people, listen, observe and smile. Be sensitive to appropriate forms of communication, gendered and gestural. Smile more! ??

Comprehension checks are helpful to be sure. FInding someone who is familiar with both cultures as a guide is essential at early stages of entry. There's no substitute for learning a language, however most places have a middle class that speaks a second or third language to help you.

It is important that we learn to listen better with our ears, but even more that we learn to truly listen with our eyes. Not speaking the local language gives us a golden opportunity to do this.

Ah yes, humility, most definitely. Leave your arrogance and superiority at home! Part of listening and learning is valuing different ways of being, doing and thinking. Observe those who know, they are your guides, even if they may not be able to explain what or why things are the way they are. When it is your own language or culture, it is usually done unconsciously and few people reflect on their own unconscious knowledge and behaviours.

Intercultural Humility (ICH) is what this article describes. It goes beyond mere recognition or tolerance of cultural differences; it involves a continual process of learning about cultures other than one's own, acknowledging one's own cultural limitations, and being open to the perspectives and experiences of others. Acknowledging power imbalances, being self-aware, adaptable, and and open are essential. It's a lifelong process and even long-time expats make mistakes.

Pro tip: even if you know just one sentence in another language, open with that language first then switch to your regular language. Just showing willingness to try is often very appreciated by the recipient, creates more understanding and patience, and ultimately will get you closer to a connection. They aren't looking for perfect, just willingness. It will also make them feel more comfortable if their language skills are not as good as your native language (for example, if you are native English and it's their second language). Now, with your effort to speak their language in a small way, it evens out the playing field.

Intercultural humility (ICH) is particularly important in increasingly diverse and globalized contexts, such as in international business, education, healthcare, and social work. It is seen as a critical skill for effectively navigating and contributing positively to multicultural environments. Unlike cultural competence, which can imply a finite level of skill or knowledge to be achieved, intercultural humility emphasizes an ongoing process of self-evaluation and personal growth in the context of cultural diversity. It's an attitude. If you are receptive you'll have an advantage.