6 Tips to Overcome Language Barriers

I feel we need this few tips to overcome language barriers and I’ve found to be helpful in my dealings with people who speak another language, or have a very heavy accent that I find hard to understand.

Keep it Simple

Simple vocabulary means more people can understand what is being talked about. This goes both ways – when talking to someone who is weaker in the language you speak, or when they are speaking to you.Big words don’t make you look smart. Being quickly and clearly understood does.

Use written communication when possible

Written communication removes accents that might be difficult to understand and it gives the author and reader the ability to re-read the text to gain a better understanding of what is trying to be communicated.

Remain Focused

You should be attentive and patient when communicating with anyone, but when there is a substantial language barrier, it is even more important. Look them in the eyes and pay close attention to the words that they say. Try to piece what you can together, and repeat what you think they’ve said back to them so they can approve or try again.

Try

Many people are not even willing to try and communicate, as they do not see it is worth the effort, or they believe that someone else will do it for them. The harder you try at something the more likely it is that you will succeed. Show that you are making an effort to understand, and chances are the person you are trying to communicate with will put more effort in to communicating with you.

Teach

Find language courses that are offered in your area, and send your staff that could benefit from the teaching. A bit of professional help could go a long way. Just don’t forget to reinforce the importance of simplicity.

Learn

We can always try to learn a new language. It is good to show some respect towards people that are communicating in a second (third/fourth/n-th) language and try to show that you appreciate their effort. Even if the “work”-language is English, a little interest for the other persons (eg. the one with the oh so terrible accent) language can go a long way.

By Kaminie