Comments on: For the foreigner who does not speak or understand tagalog and other native dialects?

By: Dr Pepper

Dr Pepper — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:14:51 +0000

Thats an interesting point you raise there, P. That happens to me all the time. Actually, it happens to all of us. Early on I had to rely on my wife to keep me advised of who’s saying what. I’ve learned a lot over the years and now I understand much of what I hear in Tagalog or Bisaya/Cebuano. I don’t speak it because everybody mostly just snickers and laughs at my accent. I’m sure it sounds hilarious to them and I laugh with them. But, I can now tell who’s insulting me or my wife when I hear it. If I weren’t a guest there, I’d break some heads. But, I think its enough to reply to them and embarrass them with my own words. Mostly they are shocked to learn I understood them and they shut up quickly. It seems they understand my English very well if I include a little body language.

By: joenelene_omega

joenelene_omega — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:14:51 +0000

Usually if I dont know the language I try to observe the people’s facial expression and learn just few keywords.

I’ve been working in different countries with different languages. Whenever I am learning a new dialect or language, I always start with comprehension. It’s okay with me if I cant speak the language fluently as long as I can understand it. Just like the Tagalog language, I can understand it perfectly but I prefer not to speak Tagalog.

I dont flaunt my ability to speak the native language, I am more comfortable of keeping it to myself. I think it’s more fun! hehehehehe

By: jd

jd — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:14:51 +0000

For me it’s in the voice and the way it’s used.
I lived around Mexicans mouthing all my life. I knew what they were saying and sometimes told them so. I don’t speak it and never cared to learn.
You have to care what they think first. If some don’t like me that’s OK. If they think I’m handsome that’s OK too. But I don’t care enough to worry about it.
I’m more interested in not being the ugly American than what they are saying about me. I want what I pay for but I believe in being polite to others first.
I haven’t had a problem with it. Most learn if they stay around me long we are going to end up talking bible and Jesus. So i spend a lot of time alone. LOL!

By: Måløv

Måløv — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:14:51 +0000

I’ve been in this situation a load of times. If I have a personal stake in the country or the company, i.e. it’s at a party with my boyfriend’s family, then I get very concerned about what people are talking about around me. If I’m just a tourist or just passing through a place, I don’t really care what strangers are talking about.

I’ve gotten very good at observing and picking up the nonverbal cues you have described. I’ve also gotten very good at projecting a pleasant image, nonthreatening image by nonverbal means. I suspect women might be better than men at this, but am willing to be proven wrong.

I would make it a point to learn the native language and to use it, but not to flaunt my knowledge of it. (In any case, a foreigner will be bound to make contextual mistakes). The goal, I think, is never to be one of the natives — that is impossible, and in many cases the locals would resist your attempts to take intimacy to the next level — but to become a savvy foreigner.

By: lace

lace — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:14:51 +0000

it’s no fun when people talk around you and you can’t understand what they’re saying – you’re at a disadvantage.

it’s better that you know their language and then listen to then talk about you, that way, you’ll know their intentions and what they really think about you.

but sometimes, it’s good to be able to converse with them in their own language, it makes them feel at ease and special since you’re making an effort to learn part of who they are.

By: evilimp006

evilimp006 — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:14:51 +0000

i work in a diverse place.

i try to talk to them and ask them some of the bad words. so i’ll know if they’re cussing.. lol..

they all said it right, body language, eye contact, their tone of voice.

if all else, just tell them, don’t you have the balls to talk to me in a language i understand? man up, dude! hahaha..

most filipinos speak english in different capacities. so don’t worry that they won’t understand you.

By: Dina

Dina — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:14:51 +0000

It happens all the time, I know enough of the local dialect that I can usually figure out what they’re talking about. Like the person above said, I have tried to speak the local dialect only to be laughed at and ridiculed for my accent, so I have stopped attempting to speak it and I just listen. I don’t really care what people think about me, so it doesn’t bother me that they’re talking about me, but yeah they do it constantly.