European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 18, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Try Lvpl talk a Little foreign language helps a lot by Pam Runquist staff writer unlike our european neighbors who often rattle off multiple languages before they learn to ride a Bike americans Are notorious for sticking to their native Tongue. In a world where English unofficially has become the International language we often assume that others will understand us. That strategy May work in most major cities in Europe. Many europeans do speak or at least understand some English. Armed Only with English language capability travellers off the beaten track May experience problems. Quot i be run out of Cash Quot might not mean much to an italian Farmer in Tuscany and Quot i be got a Flat Quot probably won t be understood by a yugoslavian Motorist along the Mediterranean coast. French accents and German gender distinctions May continue to elude us but learning a few basics is an important communication tool. It also helps to improve relations with the locals. Try to speak their language and most europeans will be helpful and appreciative. Even if you re just about to take off on a european vacation you still have time to pick up a few phrases. Travel phrase books Are available in almost every european language and with these abbreviated language texts you can review on the plane aboard the train or in your car As you head toward your destination. One of the most popular phrase books is the Berlitz for travellers series which is published in More than 20 languages. It costs Only $2.95 and includes a grammar guide and useful phrases for a wide Range of situations. Another travel aide is the just enough. Series published by passport books. Available in eight languages this phrase Book also is fairly comprehensive and costs $3.95. Two other versions Are the say it in. Collection by Dover publications available in 10 languages for $2.95 and american express International traveler s pocket dictionary and phrase books published in Spanish French German and italian for $6.95. For anyone planning a trip through More than one country there Are a few multilingual phrase books. The information provided in these books is More abbreviated but the essential phrases Are still included. The Berlitz european phrase Book includes 14 languages and comes with a pair of cassette tapes for pronunciation review. The set costs $7.95. Another version is the multilingual phrase body by passport books. It has eight european languages and costs $6.95. If travel plans allow a Little More Lead time you can supplement a minimal vocabulary with an elementary command of the language. With just a few weeks of practice a prospective traveler can be prepared to bargain with the merchants order in a restaurant and Converse with a few locals. Handy tools for this Type of preparation Are beginning language books audio tapes and dictionaries. The 10 minutes a Day series by bilingual books inc. Is designed to teach the basics of grammar and pronunciation in a minimal amount of time. Each Book contains exercises Flash cards and labels that can be stuck to objects in your Home or office to help memorize terms. This series is available in eight languages and costs $14.95 per Book. For written and audio instruction combined Barron s offers a now you re talking collection that includes a phrase Book dictionary and cassette tape for $9.95. A More comprehensive learning guide is passport s practice and improve collection. This comes with an instruction Book and a set of four audio tapes for $29.95. Of course if you have the time and the inclination an even better Way to learn a language is to enrol in a language course. Americans living in Europe have several options for foreign language programs. Language instruction is part of the orientation program at Many military installations. American universities with branches in Europe also have foreign language programs. A third option is to enrol in a language course offered in your local Community. In West Germany Volks Hochschulz or adult education programs Are available in Many towns and usually include a German course for foreigners. The advantage of these courses is that they Are inexpensive and anyone who attends is automatically introduced to several others who Are interested in learning the language. The final advice for anyone travelling in Europe is Don t be afraid to try your new language skills. You will make some mistakes but at the same time you will improve your speaking abilities and probably make some new friends. All of the language books mentioned above except the american express and Barron s collections Are available at stars and stripes bookstores. Many of these books and several other versions also Are available at local libraries passport in Kkt Basic words for travelling How to get 8y a it and be easily understood hello goodbye thank you How much German Guten tag auf Wiede Sehen Danke Schun Wie Viel French Bonjour a Revoir Merci Combine italian Buon Giorno Ciao Grazie Quanta Spanish Buenos Las Adios Gracias Cunto portuguese bom Dia Adeus Brigado Quanta dutch Goe Emorgen Totz ens Dank u Hoevell it danish go Morgen Marvel Tak Hor Meget polish die n Dobry do Wilzenia die kure lie swedish god Morgon adj tack Hur Micket greek kale Mehra Vassas eff Arresto Posso yugoslavian Dobra Jutro Bogom Hvala Kolisko 48 stars and stripes travel Europe april 18, 1990