Navigating the Language Barrier
Trying to get a task completed by phone or WhatsApp when there is a language barrier is exhausting. I started last Thursday and got it verbally completed today. Tomorrow I pay at a local bank. Friday my item will be delivered.
Here's the story.
We have a lot of yard that needs to be maintained. Last year we bought a used weedwacker which is broken down more than it works. In my frustration of having grass and weeds as high as my hips and not being able to see our large dogs when they're out there, I told my son we would buy a new heavy duty wacker and asked what brand he wanted. We settled on a Stihl model FS235.
After checking several places lakeside and getting an average price of over 14,000 pesos, I took my search to the internet.
I contacted Stihl but they can't sell directly, only to distributors. They gave me contact info of a dealer in Guadalajara.
Now, mind you, all conversation is on WhatsApp. They comment in Spanish and I have to copy and paste on Google translate Spanish to English. Then I go to the English to Spanish one and type in my reply, get the translation, and copy paste back to our conversation. Over and over again.
With the holiday weekend my efforts were delayed but I'm a bulldog and was back at it Tuesday morning. Today I was finally able to converse with the dealer. Back to the copy and paste, copy and paste.
But, it was worth it, the model I want is in stock AND they will deliver to Chapala for no extra cost. And the best part is that my price is 7600 pesos, saving 6400 pesos in my pocket. For my US friends, that's about $300, not chump change.
It literally took hours of research, calls, and messages but tenacity prevailed! Would I have saved time if I spoke Spanish fluently?Without a doubt. I can converse minimally and understand about 30% ish of what is spoken to me if spoken slowly. It's my fault, I know, but my brain is artistic, not linguistic.
I'm making two points here.
One, with perseverance you can accomplish your goal and in this case it was worth a chunk of change to me.
Two, with tools like Google translate, my voice translator on my phone, people to help, and a good sense of humor with lots of smiles, you can communicate clearly even if you are second language challenged.
The nationals forgive me and appreciate that I try. I apologize for my shortcomings since this is their country and I should do better. And we all thank each other in the end.
This is a good place to call home.
