Heading to Eastern Europe, which....

Tim

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...language will I get the most use out of?

Vienna, Prague, Budapest...that area. If I do an online language course, which should I do? I’m thinking German would be the most flexible in that part of the world?
 
Jeppo said:
I’m betting English will be the most spoken second language in that region.
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Probably, but learning a language, at least the basics, may save me a few scheckles on cab fares.
 
Tim said:
Probably, but learning a language, at least the basics, may save me a few scheckles on cab fares.
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I’m pretty sure nearly everyone speaks English where they spend Shekels. ;)
 
Having lived in Germany for years and traveling Europe, English is understood. However, does good to learn some basic phrases in those countries you plan on visiting. I've got Czechs/Slavs here on the base with me and my basic phrases of Polish is understood. Then the few Afghans I met then they understand some of my Egyptian-Arabic. The US Army did teach me two languages German and the mentioned EA. Also have Ugandan guards here that I throw some Swahili that I picked up in Kenya and I'm lousy at languages.

CD
 
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Definitely English. German would be awesome in Vienna if you could understand their dialect (good luck) & maybe helpful in the Czech Republic near the German or Austrian borders & worthless in Hungary. Plus, yer hitting those countries' 'must see' cities & you'll find a whole lot more folks that speak English.

A handful of basic German phrases will make your stay in Vienna more pleasant. Those Berlitz phrase books are handy to have though, if you wander off the beaten path.
 
itranslate from itunes
 
Google Translate is your friend. Download the offline version of every language you think you will run across just in case. Technology is amazing these days.
 
Sad but most Europeans speak better English than some US born folks. In Vienna I spoke German only rarely because most of the citizens wanted to practice their English. Same with Prague but I also used German in the outskirts. Most school children take 2 languages in elementary school and a third if they go to the equivalent of our high school. My dad was from Prague and by the time he was in his 20's he could read, write, and speak 7 languages
 
Curmudgeon said:
Sad but most Europeans speak better English than some US born folks. In Vienna I spoke German only rarely because most of the citizens wanted to practice their English. Same with Prague but I also used German in the outskirts. Most school children take 2 languages in elementary school and a third if they go to the equivalent of our high school. My dad was from Prague and by the time he was in his 20's he could read, write, and speak 7 languages
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I work with a company based in Iceland and I am amazed on how well the Icelandic people are versed with the English language. For me to pronounce their first names, I rely on YouTube videos that teach how to pronounce Icelandic (north Germanic) names - it works and they appreciate that I do not butcher their first names.
 
Most of Eastern Europe is covered with a Latin based language. I'm hit or miss with Romanian and Italian, and go over there on a regular basis. Like most folks already said, most people over there speak English.
 
Like everyone else, I wouldn't bother. I work on my Spanish because it's useful in a lot of coutricou I travel to and it's useful here. Even in rural Spanish speaking countries, their English is better than my Spanish. You speak Spanish to them, they respond in English...

English is the language of the world now. I keep my phone handy with the translation app and I'm done with it.
 
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Ask a German to say squirrel, laugh at them, then say the phrase 'ich mag bier' and that's pretty much gonna be your friend for life.
 
Seriously though, you will get by just fine with English most of the time. It won't hurt to brush up on a few simple phrases and words in German.
 
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Switzerland is always fun with 4 official languages. But i found english and dollar bills work great. Money is the universal language.
 
I realize that English is going to be just fine for getting around. I'd like to take up a language for something to do and so while I'm there I can at least show a bit of respect by having tried. Kinda like the folks here that say, "This is 'merica! We talk english"
 
Chdamn said:
Learn German. So you can pretend to be German when you go to Thailand....on business.
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Let me know when you go, I have contacts in Bangkok, owner of a bar.
 
Chdamn said:
Learn German. So you can pretend to be German when you go to Thailand....on business.
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My oldest is gonna be so confused....his bio family is Thai, and I chuckle every time he says he wants to go to Thailand.
 
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The Dutch speak better English than most native speakers. Good thing, 'cos their language is a throat clearing nightmare.

I found quite a few German speakers in Romania, but they had a very large ethnic German minority for centuries. Beautiful country that I'd love to visit again.

You should have a grand time in Vienna. I've never been there, but have spent a lot of time in other parts of Austria. Super nice people & friendly. Budapest is amazing. Beautiful city & bar none, the most beautiful women I have seen in my life. Good food & beer. Never got to Prague, but have always heard good things. Sounds like you're gonna have an awesome trip.
 
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Tim said:
...language will I get the most use out of?

Vienna, Prague, Budapest...that area. If I do an online language course, which should I do? I’m thinking German would be the most flexible in that part of the world?
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Are you gonna be renting a car?
 
Tim said:
doubtful. we'll take trains or buses between cities i think.
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If that's the case, I would highly recommend familiarizing yourself with European train travel, the different kinds of rail passes, and the different rules/costs associated with luggage. It can get complicated for those not familiar with the system.
 
If you're driving over there, familiarize yourself with which countries require a vignette to use the autostrasse/autobahn. HUGE fines if you don't get them, and the signage indicating you need one is not going to be in English. It's a way for them to fleece foreigners for funds.

I know Austria and Switzerland require them, France and Italy had tolls, but I don't recall anything needed in Germany. They're available at the border crossing stations.
 
Spent months in both Vienna and Prague and never needed a car. Those cities know how to do public transportation. And don't forget to drink the local beers, OMG so good compared to most of the swill here. And get off the beaten path for restaurants or bars that serve food. Cheaper and authentic. If you see tourists you will not enjoy it as much as where the locals go
 
I've worked in Czech (near Prague). Go light on the German. In fact many Czechs still have a strong dislike of Germany because of the wars (they were the place for cut through traffic) and dislike Russia (x 5), U.S,, Britain because of being robbed from peace deals post-war. The U.S. has taken many of their hockey stars which may be worse to some than the war.

In Prague at bars, you have to be firm about bringing the check. Otherwise they will continue bringing you more liters of brew! I think it's still cheapest price you will find anywhere.
 
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Tim, when we were in Europe, most if not all the countries we visited spoke English. And if I remember correctly, they even had menus in English. The civil countries even taught English as a second language. The countries we visited were, Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Russia, Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Czechia and Denmark. We laid over in Amsterdam, Holland. I want to go back to Amsterdam and Prague. You can have France and Russia.

In Germany they had 3 sets of trains, High Speed for traveling from city to city, then one for much shorter commutes and then one that was used like we use buses. The high speed ones you make reservations for seats. We did take a bus from Nuremberg to Prague. Again, they were very strick about reservations.
 
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