How could I tell them that I do NOT speak their language very well ??

Question

I am always embarrassed to tell them that I dont speak their language very well. is there any good way that i dont get embarrassed by telling them that ???

thanks

Answer 1

They probably already know if they hear you speak it for a while, so you might as well tell them.

Answer 2

No need to get so embarrassed. Heck I live in Sunny Southern California and more than half the people do not speak English very well or for that matter at all.

Answer 3

Say that you are a student in that language - I used this when travelling Europe. I learned some basic words, "hello, goodbye, thank you, please, how are you?, my name is..., I would like, how much does this cost" . Be polite, say, "I am very sorry, my language is poor. I am a student in this language".

You shouldn't be embarassed (unless you have been here for several years and you still refuse to learn).

I have some abilities to speak french, so when people would speak french to me, I'd ask them to speak slowly or to repeat what they said.

When I was learning languages I'd try to make a game of it - once I was in a restaurant and I found a cute server and we went around the restaurant and I'd ask him, "Qu'est que c'est?" (what is this?) and he would say it in french and I would teach him it in english. Most people are happy to help, especially if you tell them you are learning.

Answer 4

I am British but live in Bulgaria. Their language is very difficult to learn and I am getting on in years when learning becomes more difficult. So when I get asked a question by, say a stranger I just say "do you speak English" They then understand that I am a stupid foreigner and as every one hear is very polite apologize to me.Often its not what you say but the way you say it.

Answer 5

" i am still learning your language"
" i am studing your language i hope by this time next year i am fluent"
" the accent of ( what ever language ) is hard for me to get the hang of but i keep trying"
" everybody has been so helpful in helping me speak ????? better"
edited to add
thumbs down? i tried to actually answer the question
ummmm ok....manners needed

Answer 6

That depends on what language you are talking about. If it is Spanish, I usually say "Yo habla espaniol, piquito. Mucho piquito."
I speak Spanish a little bit. A very little bit.
Or, for French "Je parle francais-comme ci, comme ca." Or, I speak so so French.

Answer 7

Just tell them you are not that fluent in their language. Better to admit then look stupid. Good Luck!

Answer 8

I'm sure it would become very obvious during conversation, so you probably wouldnt have to tell them. Who are "them" by the way?

Answer 9

just have that phrase translated and learn to speak the one phrase.

no espanol .. no spanish English por favor . English, please

je ne parlais francias .. i do not speak french

Answer 10

If you can't speak their language you can't! Do you know sign language? Just shrug your shoulders and shake your head, they'll soon understand.