There are hundreds of different digital language assistants on the market that do everything from translating different languages to actually speaking on your behalf. Though these can be a huge help, they often involve a lot of fiddling in order to get them working and in some countries, pulling out a fancy looking digital devise can make you a target for pick-pockets or scammers that will assume you are carrying other valuables on you.

A friend recently recommended MeNoSpeak books for the most basic travel needs. Instead of complicated digital functions, the back-to-basics paper books are pocket sized and contain simple images and phrases that you can point to. This is great for any country that doesn’t use the English alphabet.

(Photo courtesy of MeNoSpeak)

Check them out at: www.menospeak.com