Knowing the Language vs Knowing a Local: Which is Better?

Traveling in a foreign country can be really exciting, but it can also be a little scary sometimes. What if you get lost, robbed, or trapped by a crazy storm? Although there may not be much you can do in the event of a flash flood or an earthquake, for many of the more common challenges associated with traveling, either knowing the language or knowing someone in the area can work wonders, transforming your trip from a harrowing experience to a thrilling adventure. Of course, being able to know both the language and a local is ideal, but what if you can only have one? Which gives you a greater advantage and why?

The answer to this question probably depends a lot on where you’re going and what you want to do when you get there. For example, when I was out trekking around in Patagonia, speaking Spanish came in very handy for finding rides, getting advice on hikes and routes, and asking about where to stay and eat. I also happened to know a mountain guide who helped me climb up some pretty big volcanoes, but if I hadn’t already known him I could have asked around in Spanish to find someone else.

In contrast, when I visited my friend in Prague, I really just wanted to experience the culture, and she was the perfect tour guide for getting to know the true character of the area. As the exotically unfamiliar sound of Czech flowed past me, we went to bars and drank 25 cent liters of beer, wandered through the fields near her grandma’s house picking berries and swimming in the river, and hitched rides between castles and cities around the country. Her grandpa even made me try pickled sausage, which I politely pretended to enjoy, prompting him to offer me several more that I was unable to finish.

Generally, for trips that involve more constant travel across larger distances doing something active like trekking or riding a bike, knowing the language may be more useful, while for more cultural experiences focused on a particular city or region, knowing a local will probably provide more context. No matter where you’re going or what you’re doing, it’s always a good idea to learn at least a few key phrases - and of course, record your trip on Everlater so your friends can see what you did and plan their own trip!

Happy travels,

Beth