Talking the lingo

[wotme]

Has anyone been pulled over in Europe (or the UK for that matter) by a copper that doesn't speak or doesn't want to speak English.
Do they carry a translating devise such as a smart phone.

 

[Coolcats]

Has anyone been pulled over in Europe (or the UK for that matter) by a copper that doesn't speak or doesn't want to speak English.
Do they carry a translating devise such as a smart phone.

Oh yes, in France I thought I was going to be done for speeding (not that I was speeding you understand) but instead I was presented with a breathalyser, I blew in to it long and hard.....no alcohol so all was good he took the device and walked away no words were exchanged.

 

[Euro330]

No but Police and VOSA carry phrase books that they check the english question or statement then show the corresponding language for the non english speaking drivers the appropriate language translation, then the driver selects the reply in their language and shows the interviewer. Or their is a translator service they can call for more in depth/serious interviews.

 

[nicholsong]

On my boat I used to have a small book of technical and nautical vocabulary with translations into 8 languages.

Equivalent would be useful for MHs.

 

[mike mcglynn]

Following a breakdown in France two young gendarme wanted to see all my documentation and especially my licence ,I do not speak any French and the gendarme didn’t speak any English so when I produced my paper driving licence that definitely had them foxed .It became a radio conversation with their station after which they handed everything back to me and walked away muttering some thing about the English

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[ChrisL]

For anyone wishing to learn a few words there are some apps for your phone/tablet which you may find useful, Memrise and Duolingo, the latter is more Americanised i.e Brazilian Portuguese Latin American Spanish but the former does European and American dialects so may be more useful for us. There are free versions or you can pay and be able to download lessons for off line use and be ad free.

 

[Tea Bag]

Hi.
The only time you have to worry is when they point a rifle into your cab. Jennifer went into "Meltdown"... I knew the dog would have him first and completed the manouver.. Reason ? They had stopped me half in/out of the area and i was blocking through traffic,so moved forward into the "Reception area ". Top man came across, had a quick "Nosey" through the windows,shouted at "Trigger " happy and sent us on our way.
French lesson for today...The Gallic Shrug.... Perfect THAT and the world is your oyster.
Tea Bag

 

[Clickem]

On an Android phone, we have Google Translate excellent, into which you can either write a phrase, for translation to many languages, or better still you can speak in English and it will speak the translation. Found it invaluable when we have had a breakdown and need to communicate with garage

 

[wotme]

On an Android phone, we have Google Translate excellent, into which you can either write a phrase, for translation to many languages, or better still you can speak in English and it will speak the translation. Found it invaluable when we have had a breakdown and need to communicate with garage

I hardly use my mobile (I carry it in the car just for emergencies) so do you need internet connection to use google translate

 

[ChrisL]

I hardly use my mobile (I carry it in the car just for emergencies) so do you need internet connection to use google translate

You can download some languages in advance when you have an internet connection for use later without a connection.

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[Clickem]

We have data available, so have not tried to use it offline. It should work offline if you have downloaded the required language files beforehand

Download languages to use offline - Android - Google Translate Help

You can download languages onto your device. This lets you translate them without an internet connection. After you’ve downloaded a language, you could be able to translate it by looking at it

support.google.com

As well as text and spoken responses it can also be used with the camera, so see and translate - not tried that either

 

[Jev88]

On my boat I used to have a small book of technical and nautical vocabulary with translations into 8 languages.

Equivalent would be useful for MHs.

When I first read that I thought it said "MRs"..... Thought that might cause trouble ?

 

[Helen Ariel]

Duolingo is a great free app for learning new languages. I'm learning French and the other half is learning Spanish so that will cover us for some of our travels at least. If we go somewhere more obscure we'll use Google translate.

 

[nicholsong]

When I first read that I thought it said "MRs"..... Thought that might cause trouble ?

Not one of those on my boat - well not mine anyway

 

[tuscancouple]

Has anyone been pulled over in Europe (or the UK for that matter) by a copper that doesn't speak or doesn't want to speak English.

Why should they need to speak English, you;re in their country so the obligation is on you to speak their language. As a last resort fines and guns help them make their point of view very clear

Mick

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