A
Traveling to a foreign country can make you frightened if you don’t know the local language. Mr Thibault has a number of tips to help travelers manage in a destination when they don’t speak the native tongue, based on his own experience. Here are a few of them.
●Download a Language Translation App
Mr Thibault tends to rely on Google Translation and suggests that travelers find an app that works for them. Ideally, find one that specializes in the language you need to translate especially if the language uses a character set you’re not familiar with, or have difficulty pronouncing.
●Speak with Your Hands and Head
Pointing with your hands and nodding or shaking your head, Mr Thibault said, are easy ways to communicate with locals in the country you’re in. “Gestures are all universally understood, ” he said.
●Learn a Few Key Words
Knowing basic words and phrases like “hello”, “thank you” and “I’m sorry, I don’t speak your language. Do you speak English? ” is a must, Mr Thibault said. Showing that you care enough to learn some of the language before you go, and at least enough to acknowledge that you don’t know more, is a form of respect and will go a long way to be liked by locals.
●Work with a Local Travel Agent
If you feel particularly uncomfortable in the country you’re headed to, and you have to go anyway, relying on a local travel agent who knows both your and your destination’s languages can be incredibly useful.
●Hire a Local Tour Guide
A tour guide can help you get a better grasp of the local language and is a good person to practice words and phrases with. Whenever Mr Thibault visits a new country, he books a sightseeing tour with a guide on the first day of his trip. “I use this day to learn about my destination and get familiar with the language, ” he said.
【文章大意】本文是一篇应用文, 针对不会说外语的旅行者到国外旅游提出了几条建议, 包括下载翻译软件、使用肢体语言、出发前学习关键词、利用当地旅行社的帮助以及雇用当地导游。
21. In what situation should a language translation app be applied while traveling abroad?
A. When you have trouble pronouncing the words.
B. When you want to acknowledge your ignorance.
C. When you want to practice the local language.
D. When you feel uncomfortable in the country.
【解析】选A。细节理解题。根据题干中的关键词“a language translation app”定位至第二段, 根据该段第二句可知, 在该语言使用你不熟悉的字符集或者你发音有困难时, 你应当下载翻译软件, 故A项正确。
22. What is the easiest way to communicate with foreigners according to the text?
A. Downloading a language translation app.
B. Learning a few key words.
C. Using body language.
D. Working with a guide.
【解析】选C。推理判断题。根据第三段第一句可知, 使用双手、点头或摇头是你和当地人交流的简单的方式; 据此可推知, 使用肢体语言是与当地人交流最简单的方式, 故C项正确。
23. How can you better understand the local language?
A. By speaking with your hands and head.
B. By learning a few key words.
C. By downloading a language translation app.
D. By hiring a local tour guide.
【解析】选D。细节理解题。根据尾段第一句“A tour guide can help you get a better grasp of the local language and is a good person to practice words and phrases with”可知, 导游可以帮助你更好地掌握当地的语言, 而且导游是你与其练习单词和短语的最佳人选, 故D项正确。
