Tips for Coping with Language Barrier in China

Non-Mandarin Speakers Can Overcome Barriers to Independent Travel

Jan 25, 2009 Cheryl Probst

Many travelers opt for tours when visiting China because they're intimidated by the language. However, language obstacles can be lessened by following a few practices.

Tours make travel in China easier; independent travel makes it more fun. Independent travelers don’t have to put up with the forced factory shopping stops. They don’t have to eat meals in restaurants where the dishes have been so westernized for foreign taste buds they’re downright bland. They have the time to experience the “real” China.

On the downside, independent travelers won’t have a tour guide always available to explain sights or translate at shops. However, there are ways for independent travelers in China to cope with the language barrier.

Know Some Words in Mandarin

Thanks to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, more Chinese speak English than ever before. However, travelers should not always count on encountering someone who speaks English. Therefore, knowing a few words in Mandarin is essential. These are words like hello (ni hao), goodbye (zai jian), please (qing) and thank you (xie xie). Travlang is a website that specializes in basic phrases in many languages. Their section on Mandarin, known as putonghua, covers basic phrases to assist travelers in eating, finding accommodations and getting around. Travelers can hear the words pronounced by a native speaker. Chinese in 10 Minutes a Day by Kristine K. Kershul is a workbook that uses games, etc., to make learning basic Mandarin fun.

A good phrase book is a must. Try to get one that has the phrase in characters. Chinese may not be able to read pinyin (the phonetic translation of characters) but they can read characters. A phrase book that also gives potential responses in characters and English is even better. This way helpful Chinese can just point to the response in characters.

Always Carry Hotel Business Card

In China, all travelers should always carry the hotel’s business card with them. The card can then be shown to taxi drivers when it’s time to go back to the hotel.

In Beijing, buses and subways make stop announcements in English and Chinese, which makes getting around easier. Outside of Beijing and Shanghai, have the hotel front desk or local tourist office write destinations in characters on a paper that can be shown to bus employees. They’re very good at making sure travelers get off at the right stop.

Hotel Travel Desks Can Make Onward Reservations

Most hotels, even the smallest lodgings, have travel desks to make onward reservations. Major cities, such as Beijing and Shanghai, have special ticket offices at train stations where foreigners can buy tickets to their next destination. Staff at these offices usually speak some English. Outside of major cities, having the hotel travel desk get onward tickets is much easier for travelers. If a ticket seller doesn’t want to deal with a foreigner, he’ll be referred to another line, perhaps several times. This can get very frustrating, not to mention time-consuming. Travelers who utilize their hotel’s travel desk to buy tickets can be out touring the sights, while hotel staff stands in line instead. Hotels charge a service fee, starting at about $1 per ticket to do this, depending on what city the hotel is located in. In larger cities, such as Beijing and Shanghai, the charges may run several dollars.

The copyright of the article Tips for Coping with Language Barrier in China in S Asia/China Travel is owned by Cheryl Probst. Permission to republish Tips for Coping with Language Barrier in China in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.