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Huh? A tour guide that does not speak the local language??

TM2 RampageTM2 Rampage Registered User regular
edited April 2007 in Help / Advice Forum
My parents want to go on a family vacation to Japan... and they've come across a person's thread on a forum that went to Japan via one of these tours from this company: http://www.grandholidays.com/tour_intl/tours0.asp?region=japan

But, y'see, if you click on any one of these tours, say here http://www.grandholidays.com/tour_intl/touroverview.asp?tourcode=JTK8_07
It says...
Tour Guides: : Experienced bilingual (Chinese/English) guides who have in depth knowledge of local history and Japanese culture.
Huh. The tour guides don't speak Japanese? Is this normal for a tour guide to not know the language of the place that they're giving tours in?

TM2 Rampage on

Posts

  • AldoAldo Hippo Hooray Registered User regular
    edited April 2007
    No, that is not normal.

    I suspect this an error on that site, though. I think they mean that the guide is a Japanese who also speaks Chinese and English. But before booking anything I would make sure that this is indeed the case.

    Aldo on
  • LaveLave regular
    edited April 2007
    Could mean that he can give tours in Chinese and English as well as understanding Japanese? Maybe? Check though.

    Lave on
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  • Andrew_JayAndrew_Jay Registered User regular
    edited April 2007
    Though technically that would be trilingual, and not bilingual.

    Unless they're telling you that they have dudes who speak Japanese and English, and other dudes who speak Japanese and Chinese.

    Either way, I wouldn't worry too much - I think it comes across pretty clearly that they're saying they offer tours in two foreign languages. But wouldn't hurt to check - just ask about the background of the guides.

    Andrew_Jay on
  • TM2 RampageTM2 Rampage Registered User regular
    edited April 2007
    Okay, so I called, and the lady told me that the tour guides know Japanese, but they won't be using it to speak to us, the tourists. They'll use either English or Chinese.

    Thanks, guys.


    Yeesh, my parents and I thought the tour guides didn't speak Japanese, and my parents didn't have a problem with that at all. D:

    TM2 Rampage on
  • AldoAldo Hippo Hooray Registered User regular
    edited April 2007
    TM2 Rampage wrote: »
    Okay, so I called, and the lady told me that the tour guides know Japanese, but they won't be using it to speak to us, the tourists. They'll use either English or Chinese.

    Thanks, guys.


    Yeesh, my parents and I thought the tour guides didn't speak Japanese, and my parents didn't have a problem with that at all. D:
    That's pretty damned retarded, the Japanese aren't known for their grasp of the English language. :|

    Aldo on
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Penny Arcade Forums› Help / Advice Forum