Dual language signs allow for easy understanding

First time travelers to India may be amazed at how much signage, corporate logos, roadsigns, menus and more are written in English. Travel agents marketing to the western tourists will undoubtedly speak English via phone and/or email correspondence. Although some grammar or spelling mistakes may be present, this is not a potential issue for concern. English courses are a standard academic study beginning at a young age for most Indians. And while their speaking and writing may not always be perfect in all aspects, they are willing and very eager to learn from each exchange with a new traveler.

Accommodations:

Trekkers and budget travelers can sometimes face a language barrier with accommodation houses owned by locals. Typically there is at least one person on sight that can speak English but beware that the haggling over room rates could be a lengthy process without a native speaker to assist.

Mid-Range to 5 Star tourists will have no problems interacting with Indian hotel staff members. With rare exceptions nearly all members will speak English. Luxury hotels of India, as with various hotels around the world, will have foreign language speakers to assist with check-in procedures. Consult a travel agent beforehand to arrange any needed assistance.

Books:

A wide selection of English printed books exist in bookstores around the country. Maps, travel guides and even current best sellers in various western countries are all for sale in English.

Buses/Trains/Metro:

Travel by mass transit is a breeze within the major cities. Tourists moving about by bus services outside of the city will have to work a bit harder. Drivers as well as ticket holders are not always English speakers as you move further from the city centers. But attendants at reservation counters within bus terminals always speak English, and once you’re on the road, simply ask anyone waiting at a bus stop for assistance. An English speaking native is never too far away.

Attendants at train station reservation counters also are English speakers. Conductors quickly size up their passengers by greeting them in what they assume is the traveler’s native tongue. And as the train rambles through the countryside you might find yourself amazed at how little anything but English is spoken.

Car & Driver:

Tourists traveling by car & driver service will experience broken English in casual conversation. It is best to speak slowly and articulate words and phrases when interacting with drivers. Avoid using common slang or country specific phrases that a driver may not know.

Guides:

In many of the most popular tourist destinations, travel agencies can arrange for international speaking guides in languages such as: Arabic, French, German, Mandarin and Spanish. The further away from city centers the more broken English communication may be. Overall, tourists will be able to communicate, understand, and enhance their travels with the use of a guide.

Shopping:

Malls and upscale markets or strip malls are an English speaking tourist’s delight. Move beyond this to the local markets or street vendors and you’ll often be faced with blank stares. It’s best to shop with a local who can converse with merchants, speed the process of price negotiation and arrange delivery of large pieces or custom orders.

Sightseeing:

Ticket booths at the most popular tourist destinations have signage with dual languages. Buying tickets is effortless. Hand gestures for number of tickets needed work when all else fails.

Tuk Tuk/Taxi:

Iffy at best. In the city, tourists can expect English speaking taxi drivers. It’s not uncommon to find rickshaw and tuk tuk drivers with limited English abilities, thus making fare negotiations rather tiresome.

The Head Wobble

Silent, infectious, comical. The Indian head wobble is a customary expression used by many across the country. It can be bewildering for the first time traveler unsure of it’s meaning. The act of the head wobble is an implied affirmative gesture in response to questions or situations. Rather than speak the words “yes”, “I understand”, or “OK”, a simple wobble of the head will suffice. For example, after placing an order with a waiter, and he wobbles his head at you, it means fine and he will send it to the kitchen.

Travelers will also experience this head wobble in other parts of conversation:

Is there room on this bus?: Wobble= Yes, come in

If you say thank you after a purchase: Wobble=  Thank you in response

When you approach another person on the street: Wobble= Hello, an acknowledgment of your presence

If you stand clear of or offer room for another: Wobble= Gesture of kindness or benevolence

Tourists may themselves start responding with the ubiquitous head wobble after a few days in India.

Learn Hindi at Home

Many people will give their opinion on which language of India to learn. Hindi, the official language of the country and the most widely spoken is the most versatile choice. English is the official language used by courts and the legislature. Yet there are 22 additionally recognized state and regional languages within India. This is most pronounced in the southern states where tourists are hard pressed to find speakers of anything but their local languages. Whether traveling to the North or South, it would be helpful to learn a few phrases in Hindi. And for the very adventurous you can plunge into a full learning course before departing.

OK: Buy a book. A quick search of Amazon lends many options, a few of which are useful. Read reviews carefully before buying.

BETTER: Rosetta Stone offers a learn-at-home DVD course. It’s interactive and recently updated.

BEST: Language School Teachers provides a match-making forum for users (students) interested in finding teachers of a particular language. Hindi is just one of a plethora listed within the database. Students enter in as much information as possible to help find a suitable teacher match. Find several teachers with varying teaching backgrounds advertising their services, review each instructor’s credentials, fees, other user’s comments and more right from the website. Get in touch with an instructor to ask questions, set a price for each lesson and how to meet; be it Skype, iChat or another internet service. Or you might be lucky enough to find a teacher right in your back yard for an in person lesson.

Learn Hindi in India

Hill stations are notorious for multi-colored flyers advertising 30 day “learn Hindi” programs. Many are well priced and very good options given the teachers are native speakers.

For a long term approach geared toward travelers with a passion of India, a language institute makes the best use of time and money.

Hindi Guru – New Delhi

Landour Language School – Mussoorie