Millions of Muslims travel to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina every year to perform Hajj and Umrah and visit the Prophet’s mosque to pay regards. Every Muslim, no matter his financial status, tries to at least perform Umrah once in his life. To assist such passionate pilgrims, travel agencies advertise Cheap Umrah Packages that all and sundry can afford. Each of the pilgrims brings a unique culture, language, and background. Meanwhile, the one challenge that every pilgrim has to face is the language barrier.
This hurdle can swamp the pilgrims and tourists alike. In Saudi Arabia, locals speak Arabic and do not know much about English. Not even the basics. Therefore, it can overwhelm the visitors. But, with a little preparation in advance and following some key tips, you can easily navigate in the holy cities and enjoy your spiritual journey.
Learn Basic Arabic Words Beforehand
It is not possible to master the Arabic language in one go. Learning a new language is hard and challenging. Moreover, pilgrims cannot have a full command of it during their Umrah journey. Therefore, it is necessary to grasp the basics of Arabic before embarking on the journey. Memorizing a few words and phrases can be of great help. For instance, Shukran (thank you), Min Fadlik (Please), Na’am (Yes), Laa (No), Ai’naa (Where), Ai’naa al Hamam (Where is the bathroom?), and Maa as Salama (Goodbye) to add a few. These are the basic and simplest Arabic words and can ease communication a bit. It also leaves a good impact on the locals that visitors respect their culture and try to adopt their language.
Take Advantage of Translation Apps
In modern times, translation apps have made traveling easier by overcoming the language barrier. Download renowned apps like Google Translate, iTranslate, and Microsoft Translator. Keep apps provided by Saudi authorities to the pilgrims on phones and various visual translation apps for signs and texts on the spot. These apps translate text, languages, and also images, for example, menus.
One of the key benefits of Google Translator is its built-in offline translation feature. It implies that you do not need an internet connection to use it. This works wonders in remote areas where there is no availability of Wi-Fi. However, as apps rely on technology, they are likely to make errors or fail to perform their functions. They are not useful for translating complex sentences and idioms, and they may not even recognize every image. Hence, to avoid any inconvenience, write down important Arabic phrases on a notepad. Remember to update your digital toolkit and keep portable power banks to not run out of the battery. As you use these apps frequently, they will drain your mobile’s energy.
Seek Help From Sign Boards To Go To Sacred Sites
When the pilgrims are near mosques or Ziyarah places, they will mostly find signboards to help them find the location. Usually, these signs are written in Arabic and also have English translations below them. It makes it easy for English literates to understand. Otherwise, pilgrims can also just grasp the idea about what place they are in and in which direction they need to move to reach their specific destination. However, if they still feel lost, they can ask fellow pilgrims or locals for help.
Communicate Non-Verbally
Verbal communication is not always enough. In such a case, non-verbal communication comes to help. Mostly, pilgrims and locals use hand gestures, facial expressions, and body language to communicate. For example, a simple wave of the hand to point to a specific direction can make the whole meaning understandable. To ask for directions, dining spots, and water coolers, hand gestures can suffice. However, if you do not understand what other wants to say, facial expressions can do the job. Another interesting idea in this case can be keeping the images and maps of the places or things you want to go. Download them on the phone because notebooks or writing pads can get lost on the trip.
Ask Fellow Pilgrims for Help
Muslims from various cultures and backgrounds come to Mecca to do Umrah, and they speak different languages, too. Most of them can be more intelligible in Arabic language and sign knowledge. Therefore, it is better to ask fellow pilgrims in case you face any language problems on the trip. If they cannot help you or are in the same situation, at least you feel a sense of connectivity in a foreign land. Most of the time, these are the pilgrims who help each other on this spiritual journey. They share tips, help each other navigate the locations, and even explore more new spots together. Otherwise, the hotel staff and guides can also help the pilgrims.
What Else to Learn of Arabic Phrases?
As it is not vital to be fluent in Arabic, learning a few formal phrases can be enough.
- Learn greeting and response phrases that will create a good impact on the receiver.
- Learn about the basic direction phrases to easily navigate through the cities.
- Learn to count as it helps to bargain at shops and restaurants and even during transportation on fares.
- Keep in mind emergency relevant vocabulary to not face any issue during any such situation.
It is not the right grammar that counts but the pronunciation. If you cannot pronounce the word correctly, the recipient will not get you. It is ok to try because the purpose is to make the other understand what you need.
Final Words
The language barrier is a common challenge that many pilgrims face on their journey to Mecca and Medinah. With a little preparation, a few key tips, and smart use of technology, it can be resolved. Therefore, pilgrims do not need to hesitate to travel to Saudi Arabia if they do not know Arabic. Following these tips can enhance their trip. To book Cheap Family Umrah Packages and get started with your holy journey, look no further than Muslims Holy Travel.
