In September of 2016, I embarked on the Camino de Santiago – a pilgrimage through the hills and cities of Spain. I only had two weeks’ vacation, so I started in Ponferrada with plans to end in Fisterra. (I absolutely recommend this journey for individuals seeking adventure.)
The experience was absolutely surreal! I was a foreigner sojourning along a path with fellow travelers, sharing stories, making friends, playing music, and solidifying priceless memories which feed my character still today.
There was one obstacle for me on this trip: language. My Spanish linguistic skills are, well, minimal. I took two years of Spanish in high school (several years earlier) then another semester of it in college, but I am far from fluent.
Like many, I know the basics: greetings, how to ask for food, and how to ask for a place to sleep. But frequently, like when I was ordering special food items or explaining to someone why I put money in the coin-operated dryer first by mistake, I would rely on the linguistic interpretation skills of my newly made friends.
I think that the confusion and inability to convey my thoughts as deeply as I can in my own native tongue heightened my observance of body language. This language ‘barrier’ actually liberated me into a world void of carrying pretense and forced me to act naturally and humbly.
One memory on this trip sticks out in my mind as deeply moving and meaningful to me.
After walking several kilometers up an elevated terrain, I entered a small town. Passing the slated rooftops, I turned at a narrow street corner to see an old man kneeling before a stone wall looking at it.
He held a look of calculation on his face and rubbed the top of his head.
A section of the wall had crumbled and was in need of repair. Before him lay a giant stone; larger than he could lift on his own without strain.
I approached him smiling saying first, “Hola” and then, “¿Ayudo?” which means “I help?” pointing at the stone.
Unsure that the word I had used was even correct, I smiled sheepishly and pointed to the massive stone with a grin, and motioned with my arms to convey that I wished to help him lift it.
He smiled back and nodded, strung off a long sentence of which I understood little, and finally motioned me forward.
Together we lifted the heavy stone and placed it in back into the wall.
When the thing was in place, he smiled again and patted me on the back and said “Graicias” followed by the classic, “Buen Camino” greeting to me.
It was one of the most beautiful interactions that I had on the trip.
Body language is vital when it comes to understanding a fellow human being. It bridges the gap between understanding and misunderstanding and allows for different cultures to connect. Vocal intonation, smiling or frowning, where your eyes point, hand gestures – none of these things can be captured by computer translation algorithms. The body is the primary instrument of human expression.
Pair excellent body language with eloquence, an expansive vocabulary, and what you have is the framework for deeply genuine human connection.
I think one of the most beautiful things about Vocalink Global is that with our Interpretation Services, we aim to do just that: ensure that people are heard and are understood.
Ultimately that’s what rebuilds town walls and unites strangers.
Connect with us today.