We live in such a diverse society that crossing paths and falling in love with someone from another culture, color or race is quite inevitable. Interracial relationships have a lot of perks like learning other culture, appreciating your own and developing an open mind. But like any type of relationship, there are challenges too and one of those is Language Barrier. This is a problem if you and your partner don’t speak the same language or one isn’t really good at speaking English.
Communication is an important pillar in a relationship and not being able to verbally communicate well is quite challenging. But keep in mind that with love, you can surpass anything. So look at language barrier as a learning opportunity and not a roadblock in your relationship.
So here are my 5 tips on how to keep the romance despite the language barrier:
1. Acknowledge that your partner is trying.
Obviously, when two people have different languages, you need to speak in English. However, not everyone is fluent at it. So when your partner tries to talk in English and makes mistakes, DON’T LAUGH. Be patient, give him/her time to express what he/she wants to say and give a compliment when he/she did well or improved.
2. Feel free to ask.
Don’t just nod and pretend that you understood what your significant other said nor assume that he/she understood what you were saying. This might be a cause of misunderstandings and future problems. Before it reaches to that point, always ask if you are unsure about something and also clarify if your partner understood what you just said.
3. Learn each other’s language.
It’s always fun to learn something new, right? Make an effort to learn your partner’s language and also teach yours. It’s the perfect opportunity for you guys to learn more about each other’s culture and bond as well. This will definitely come handy in your growing relationship.
4. Express love and emotions through body language.
Sometimes, you don’t really need to say what you feel – you can just express it non-verbally. Through body language, you will be able to express your thoughts, intentions and feelings through physical behaviors such as holding hands, hugs, kisses and other actions that show your love, care and understanding.
5. Eye contact.
Last but not the least, look at your partner in the eye when you are talking. Because when everything else fails, eye contact won’t.
