The British propensity for only speaking our own language is stopping us from visiting more exotic destinations according to a new report.
Some 14 per cent of us have missed out travelling to a particular holiday destination because of perceived language barriers according to the research by travel site Skyscanner.
Whilst French is the most widely spoken foreign language among Brits, it is also one of the countries that Brits are most likely to have avoided visiting if they don’t speak the language.
Brits are renowned within Europe for having poor foreign language skills; however 13 per cent of us claim to be able to speak at least three languages, with French followed by Spanish and German.
Skyscanner also found that British men are taking the lead with the lingo on holiday. Although on average women speak more languages, men are more confident when it comes to conversing abroad and are more likely to jet off to foreign shores regardless of any language barrier.
Almost half of men (41 per cent) said the last time they held a conversation in a foreign language was during their last holiday, while 28 per cent of women say the last time for them was at school.
Across the UK, the Welsh are the most confident travellers and are least likely to allow language to impact their holiday plans. A third also make the effort to learn a few key phrases before they go. However, on the flip side travellers from East Anglia are the most likely to avoid non-English speaking countries.
With more than 300 languages spoken within multicultural London (as seen in 70s sitcom Mind Your Language, above), locals claim to be the most linguistically skilled; with one in five speaking a foreign language on a regular basis.
At the other end of the scale, almost a third of those from Northern Ireland (30 per cent) and 27 per cent of those from the North East of England, expect to be understood in English whenever they go on holiday.
Victoria Bailie of Skyscanner said: “With budget airlines opening routes to new destinations such as Russia, there are more opportunities than ever before for British travellers to experience new destinations this Easter.”
“It’s a shame that some people have let their language skills dictate their holiday plans, as they could be missing out on some great experiences. Being in a foreign country is one of best ways to pick up a foreign language, but it’s good to learn a few key phrases before you go as the locals always appreciate it. A simple hello and thank you can get you a long way.”
