Language barriers

1. LANGUAGE
BARRIERS

2. AGENDA
•WELCOME
•OBJECTIVE
•PRESENTATION
•VOCABULARY
•ASSIGNMENT

3. Objective: By the end of the lesson, students will be able to
overcome the language barriers that arise in the student and
professional fields, applying different methods and strategies,
in order to achieve effective communication in the English
language, by realization of practices and learning new
vocabulary during the class.

4. Definition of Language Barriers
Language is needed for any kind of communication, even people with speech impairments
communicate with sign language and brail. Communication becomes difficult in situations where
people don’t understand each others’ language. The inability to communicate using a language is
known as language barrier to communication.
Language barriers are the most common communication barriers which cause misunderstandings
and misinterpretations between people.
Most of the people in the world do not speak English or, even if they use, it is their second or third
language. If the speaker and receiver do not use same language and words, there is no meaning to
the communication. Not using the words that other person understands makes the communication
ineffective and prevents message from being conveyed.

5. Causes of Language Barriers
Difference in Language
Difference in language is the most obvious barrier to communication as two
people speaking two different languages cannot communicate with each other.
For example, an American goes to China. The person does not understand
Chinese and most people in China do not understand English. So, when the
person speaks, the communication is worthless as the other Chinese person
doesn’t understand it.

6. Regional Accents, Dialects and Pidgin
The accents and dialect (use of words) of people belonging to different places differs even if their language is
same. Though the languages are technically the same in people using different dialects and accents, the
meanings, implications and interpretations of words are different, which may lead to various kinds of
conflicts.
For example, if a Scottish farmer talks to a person from London, they do not understand most of the words
the other says even though they both speak English. The word ham and bacon can be used interchangeably
in Scotland but they are different in England.
Similarly, pidgin is the simplified language used between people who do not speak common language. The
implications of words and phrases can create misunderstandings.
For example, the abbreviation “LOL” used in chat language used to mean Lots of Love before, which
changed to Laugh Out Loud. If a person says LOL, the second person can interpret the meaning in any way
they want or from their understanding. People use both the abbreviations according to the context and need.

7. No Clear Speech
People who speak soft or in a small voice cannot be understood. The sender
might be saying something whereas the receiver might understand something
else. Though speaking common language, people might have difficulty
understanding the meaning of the message and the feedbacks. This might also
be a cause of obstacle in communication.

8. Use of Jargons and Slang
Jargons are the technical words used in communication. It might be different according to different
professions, specialty and technical field of a person.
For example, technical words used by doctors and lawyers are extremely different. If they start
talking, both of them will not get what the other is talking about.
Some jargons like adjournment (jargon used by lawyers and police used for delaying a trial for
defendant), BP (medical jargon for Blood pressure), etc. are only used by people in similar
profession which might be a cause for language barrier.
Similarly, the use of slang also makes communication ineffective. For example, the use of word
“grass” to describe marijuana can act as a barrier for the people who do not know the slang
meaning.

9. Word Choice
The choice of word used in describing anything must be considered before
communicating. The words used by a particular person to show their agreement
on something can be taken as sarcasm which is negative in nature.
Words with two meanings, homonyms, homographs, homophones should always
be avoided as it doesn’t send the proper meaning and can be interpreted in any
way. So, the message will not be sent as intended which acts as a type of
language barrier in communication.

10. Literacy and Linguistic Ability
Some people have low vocabulary in a particular language whereas some very
high. Though literacy and education increases the need to learn new words, it
might not be the only reason. People can increase their vocabulary by reading
and with their own interest too. Vocabulary is also less if a person uses the
language as their unofficial language.
Likewise, linguistic ability is the capability of a person in a particular language. If
a person with high vocabulary and linguistic ability talks with another with low
ability, the second person will not understand the words used leading to
miscommunication of whole message.

11. Grammar and Spelling
Grammar and spelling becomes a barrier in communication as people from different parts of the world
can be using it differently even in a particular word. Similarly, grammar and spelling mistakes create a
huge communication barrier in written communication.
For example, a person makes a mistake of typing done as don. The spelling and grammar checker of
the computer does not label it as wrong as don is also a correct word. But, the word can change the
whole meaning of the sentence or make the sentence not understandable.
These are some of the most common causes of language barriers in communication. There are many
other causes too like language disabilities, noise, distance or use of metaphors or similes which can be
included in other barriers like physiological and physical.
Some language barriers can be overcome with practice or other ways like translation, interpreter,
language classes, visual methods, etc. whereas some barriers act as problems in a person’s whole life.
These barriers must not be present to make the communication effective.

12. HOW TO OVERCOME
LANGUAGE BARRIERS!

13. 10 ways to overcome Language Barriers
Here are a few simple things you can do to prepare if you know you’ll need to
communicate in an unfamiliar language soon. We’ve also got you covered if your
conversation partner doesn’t speak your language well, with some tips to give
them a fighting chance of understanding you!

14. 1. Plan Ahead
Of course, many times when a language barrier is a real problem, it’s because you didn’t see it
coming. But if you know you’re going into a situation where language will be an issue, set yourself
up for success! Consider:
 Are there any words or phrases you know you’re going to need in a different language?
 Could you do a quick online search for significant cultural differences to know about?
For instance, if you’re traveling in an unfamiliar country and your phone is about to run out of
battery, you might want to look up the phrase for “Excuse me, where can I charge my phone
around here?” and also find out whether it’s considered rude to tap someone on the shoulder to
ask for help!

15. 2. Have a translation app handy
Translation apps get a lot of bad publicity, and for good reason. The
differences between languages are almost invariably too complicated and too
subtle for any robot to tackle successfully. However, there is a time and a
place for them — and that’s when a language barrier is very obstructive, and
you need a quick fix. The translation won’t be perfect — maybe not even good
— but the essence of your message will come across. We are very lucky to
live in an age where there’s always Google Translate to fall back on.

16. 3. Learn a few essential phrases
If you’ve got an important meeting with someone you don’t share a common language with, try to
learn a few basic phrases in their mother tongue. This can be surprisingly useful even if you have
no prior knowledge of their native language at all. Studies have shown that people have a stronger
emotional connection to words they hear in their own language, even if they can understand the
same sentiment expressed in a different language. Learning some essentials of your conversation
partner’s language will trigger their empathy, and help build a rapport with them.
It is also just widely considered a considerate thing to do — don’t put all the onus on the other
person to try and traverse the language barrier! Native English speakers are often very guilty of
doing this, since English is so widely spoken. But if you want to communicate with someone who
doesn’t speak your first language, it’s not their problem that they don’t understand you — it’s your
problem too!

17. 4. Find a tutor
If there’s a language barrier making problems in your day-to-day life, a few lessons with an online
language tutor can make a world of difference. This is the fast track to being able to hold
conversations in a new language. You’ll be speaking from the first lesson, and the focus is on
exactly the topics you need to know.
Whether your language barrier occurs during travel, at work, or during romance, a few 1-on-1
lessons with a tutor can transform your experience. A tutor will be able to teach you the “survival”
phrases you shouldn’t travel without, a sprinkle of polite business phrases to win over your clients,
or some sweet-talking expressions to impress your girlfriend. Crucially, they’ll also show you how
to pronounce them correctly, and role-play the answers with you until you speak with confidence!
It’s immeasurably more efficient than learning from an app or YouTube video, and practicing with a
human will give you the confidence to try out your language skills in real life.

18. 5. Avoid idioms and slang
When faced with an awkward situation — a client who doesn’t want to talk about money, for example, or an unenthusiastic
date — many people instinctively start using more idioms and slang than they usually would. This is normal! Idioms put us
at a distance from the words we’re using, so our meaning is slightly cushioned. Instead of saying something like:
• “That will be really expensive!”
…which could come across as confrontational, direct, possibly rude, a native English speaker might opt for an idiom like:
•“That would cost a pretty penny!”
…which expresses the same message in a way that is indirect, cute and friendly.
You probably do this yourself in many uncomfortable situations without even noticing. When faced with a language barrier,
you must fight this very normal instinct! For once, being as direct as possible is polite. If your tone is more confrontational
than normal, you’re doing it right!

19. 6. Use simple terms & phrases
When English speakers adopt a polite tone — the kind of tone you’d use to speak to a stranger
you meet at work or on travels, and want to show respect to — we often unconsciously use quite
complicated grammar. Instead of asking:
•Can you write the report soon?
We might phrase the same question using the passive voice, and/or a conditional tense:
•Could we please get the report done soon?
The urge to use complicated grammar needs ditching alongside the culture-specific idioms. To
overcome the language barrier, you’ll have to have the courage to say what you mean directly!
Conversely, if you’re the one speaking in a less familiar language, don’t be afraid to ask “Can you
say that more simply please?”

20. 7. Enunciate slowly & carefully
One final point about fighting our tendencies to speak without clarity in formal or uncomfortable
situations! If your partner is the one battling a less familiar language, you can greatly improve their
chances of understanding you by speaking slowly, and enunciating each word carefully.
When learning a new language, many people often find native speakers much harder to understand
compared to non-native ones. Native speakers are so comfortable in their language that they don’t
think about the pronunciation of their words at all!
If you’re trying to overcome a language barrier, you should try to become conscious of how your
words will sound to the other person. Slow it down, and don’t run two words into each other, if you
can help it. The textbook version of your language is friendlier and more considerate to a learner
than the less formal version you use with friends.

21. 8. Try to communicate visually
Sometimes a language barrier is so total that no amount of sentence simplification is going to
overcome it. If you and your conversation partner share absolutely zero common language, you’ll
need to think beyond words! Luckily, most experts agree that 70 to 93 percent of all communication
is nonverbal. To emphasize these aspects, you can always try:
 Miming what you mean
 Pointing to things
 Drawing pictures
Now is also the time to give your facial muscles a workout. It’s amazing how much can be
communicated through eyebrow gymnastics — emojis are the great universal language of our
time, after all.

22. 9. Pay special attention to body language
When faced with a language barrier, we often instinctively communicate more with our face and body than
usual. This is likely to be just as true for your partner as it is for you! If you’re throwing out non-verbal cues,
you should be “listening” for them too.
Watch your partner’s body language closely, and you’ll be able to tell how your communication is making them
feel. If they react very differently to a message than you expect them to, that’s a clear sign that the language
barrier is getting in the way. Call out the problem where you can by saying something like:
 You seem upset, perhaps the word [idiot] means something more offensive than I meant it to?
 Do you understand? I think I have not been clear. My Italian isn’t very good.
With a little patience and sensitivity, you can become a body language detective — and it’ll really help.

23. 10. Use an interpreter
There are some language barriers that even the bluntest sentences, the smartest translation app
and the most elastic eyebrows can’t tear down. If you’re going into an important meeting where
language will be a major issue, it’s worth considering an interpreter. There’s a reason that this job
exists, after all!
Whether you’re dealing with language barriers related to legal documents, medical issues when
traveling or important clients at work, sometimes the stakes are just too high to allow for
communication errors, and it’s wise to consult expert advice.
Thanks to freelancing sites like Peopleperhour and Upwork, the services of an interpreter won’t
necessarily be expensive, and in the digital age, you can always employ someone to join you
remotely. You could even ask your friends if any of them can play interpreter! After all, it’s estimated
that 53% of the world are bi- or trilingual. Put a call out on your social media channels and you’ll
probably be surprised how many people can help.

24. NEW VOCABULA

25. Accent: An accent is a particular way that someone pronounces words, usually
influenced by the country or region where he or she is from.
Accent Reduction: Accent reduction is the process of minimizing a person's accent and
applying another accent to his or her speech.
Dialect: A dialect is the way a language is spoken in a particular area or by a particular
group, with some differences from the way other groups speak the same language.
Disparity: A disparity is a very noticeable and often unfair difference between two
things.

26. Fluent: If someone is fluent, he or she speaks a language almost as well as a native
speaker.
Foreign: If someone is foreign, he or she is from a different country.
Global: If something is global, it is relevant to or related to multiple countries.
Idiom: An idiom is a well-known expression or phrase that does not use the literal
meaning of the word or words it contains.

27. Interpreter: An interpreter is a person who translates from one language to another.
Language Barrier: A language barrier is a difficulty in communication between two
people who speak different languages or dialects.
Misunderstanding: A misunderstanding is when two people come to different
conclusions on an event or topic due to misinformation.
Multilingual: If someone is multilingual, he or she is capable of speaking multiple
languages.
Translate: To translate something is to convert its meaning from one language to
another language.