Understanding the real reasons for not learning the language
It is indeed possible to relocate to another country without knowing its language. From a purely administrative standpoint, anyone with the required documents (such as a visa and valid residence permit) can make the move. However, it's worth noting that immigration authorities in some countries may require language proficiency. This varies depending on each country's immigration policies. Are expatriates exempt from this requirement? Certainly not.
At first glance, you might attribute your lack of language proficiency to laziness. However, there are numerous other factors to consider. Firstly, it's essential to reflect on why you are relocating to a foreign country: was it intentional or spontaneous? Are you moving for a job, on an international transfer, to study, or to accompany your spouse? The context of your move can shed light on your motivation and the practical opportunities you've had for language learning.
Assessing your level of motivation
If you're moving for a short period of time, you might ask yourself why you should invest in a six-month language course. Moreover, your demanding work schedule can undermine your motivation to learn. It's challenging to pick up a new language when you're busy with work all day. The fatigue is even more pronounced if your employer hasn't allocated time for your integration, such as language courses or dedicated learning time. Therefore, not learning the host country's language is not always a deliberate choice.
Motivation remains closely tied to the expatriation venture. Relocating to a country where your native language is spoken can provide a sense of comfort: there's no immediate pressure to learn the local language, even if it's the official language. Many expatriates rely on their English proficiency, overlooking the fact that it may not be universally understood. Other factors include weighing the investment against the utility of learning the language (especially if it's only spoken in that particular country), lack of interest in the local culture, etc. Sometimes, it just doesn't work. Some expatriates feel surprised and guilty as they admit their reluctance to learn. Is there a rational explanation for this? And how do they navigate everyday life in such circumstances?
Navigating daily life without knowing your host country's language
You may encounter individuals who have resided in their host country for two decades yet haven't mastered the local language. They might be married to a local who speaks their language, work in international or non-local settings, and depend on the assistance of friends for administrative and daily tasks.
Moving to a new country without knowledge of the local language will require you to adjust to everyday tasks: registering at the town hall, updating your status, sending mail, understanding correspondence, grocery shopping, scheduling medical appointments, job hunting, deciphering your payslip, purchasing concert tickets, joining clubs, keeping up with current events, and reading newspapers or other written materials. The extent to which language proficiency simplifies daily life is difficult to quantify.
Being in your home country makes everything more straightforward, even though dealing with administrative hassles can test even the most patient individuals. However, when you're abroad, these annoyances are often multiplied. Additionally, learning the language is a gateway to understanding the culture of your host country. While it's entirely possible to move abroad without being fluent in the local language, you should brace yourself for a more challenging experience.
Learn to improvise
If you're entering a workplace with minimal verbal communication, you might choose not to invest in learning the language. Alternatively, if you work in an international company or industry, proficiency in the host country's language may not be necessary for your job. Although you don't spend all your time at the office, your interactions outside often occur in international settings. You've picked up essential survival vocabulary and always keep a handy guide on hand for assistance.
When necessary, you can rely on gestures, which you've mastered skillfully. If gestures fall short, you can turn to your smartphone. AI-powered translation apps like Google Translate, Deepl Translator, Say HiTranslate, and similar options are gaining popularity. If you have local friends who speak the language fluently, bring them along for important outings, such as visits to the town hall or the doctor's office, and enlist their help as interpreters.
Accept the limitations that come with not learning the language
Be cautious of the drawbacks. Translation apps aren't flawless. Plus, are these three-way conversations truly enjoyable for you and for the other person?
Be prepared for potentially hurtful comments from both locals and fellow expatriates who are fluent in the local language. They may understand if you haven't been practicing it during your first few months abroad, but they might be surprised to see you still struggling after eight months abroad. While we certainly don't endorse hurtful remarks, it's important to acknowledge that everyone has their reasons for not learning the local language. However, it's essential to recognize that not learning the language will impact your daily life. You can't always rely on friends to translate, and translation apps don't cover all languages and may not always be available offline.
Don't set high expectations for the level you need to reach before moving
Nobody expects you to be perfectly bilingual before moving abroad. Instead, having a basic vocabulary to navigate daily life is advisable. Are you still struggling with the language after several months abroad? Don't feel guilty; everyone learns at their own pace. The key is to acquire enough language skills to handle your everyday tasks. This advice applies regardless of whether your time abroad is short or long and whether you work in an international environment. To increase your chances of success, start learning as early as possible before your move. You can then continue to deepen your understanding as your plans for living abroad evolve into a long-term or permanent arrangement.
Why should you learn your host country's language?
Language learning is important because it facilitates integration. Comprehending administrative documents, reading street signs, and understanding basic conversations grants independence and boosts confidence. Over time, the sounds of your host country become as familiar to you as those of your home country.
Moving abroad is already a significant upheaval on its own. The challenge becomes even more remarkable when you don't speak the local language. Engaging in even a basic conversation with locals can be difficult. Keep in mind that learning the language allows you to search for a job, understand the local job market, and advance within your company, even if you don't extensively use the local language at work. Local language proficiency enriches your resume and showcases your adaptability.
Mastering the language not only unlocks doors to the local culture but also allows you to immerse yourself deeply in it. Instead of being perceived as just "a foreigner" or a "visitor", you will slowly grasp the local reflexes and ways of thinking. Attending language classes provides opportunities to interact with both fellow foreigners and locals, such as teachers and community meetings, helping to alleviate feelings of isolation. Learning the language is also a matter of respect. Locals appreciate your efforts and genuine interest in their culture and are often eager to engage in conversation and assist in facilitating exchanges. Ultimately, learning your host country's language remains one of the fundamental keys to a life abroad.
