Useful advice on effectively handling language barriers for business

Some guidelines and useful advice on effectively handling language barriers and facilitating communication while travelling to a new city or country for business or for pleasure.

When we move from one country to another handling language barriers become essential in order to communicate. Sometimes we may be speaking the same language but the accent makes it impossible to follow the conversation. English is a language which is understood to a certain degree in most parts of the world and the best way to use it to our advantage is to speak it slowly and clearly using simple words.  We can carry a dictionary which will help us translate words into the local language when we are in a new country where the language spoken is not English. Hand gestures, facial expressions and emotions go a long way in communicating when language is a major problem. Another effective way to make ourselves understood in a foreign country is by drawing pictures or by showing photographs. However the most important thing to remember when faced with language barriers is to smile and be patient and not lose our temper.