language barrier at airport

[Hatem&Zeinab 30]

My mother in law who lives in Egypt, just got the visa to come visit us in Florida. I am so worried because she doesn't speak a single word in English and she doesn't have any experience travelling. She will have a layover in London. Then head to USA. Most likely she will arrive at JFK, then have to board a flight to Tampa.

Don't know what to do?? I am afraid this language barrier cause us a big problem like missing her flight or getting lost or so..

Anybody have an idea what we can do?

[Sveta & Ron 23]

send her an iphone with a translation program installed

[Inky 1,111]

Send her an email in English and have her bring it with her. Have the email say that she doesn't speak English and ask for a translator or whatever she needs.

[aaron2020 11,651]

My 80 years old aunt visited the US about 10 years ago from Vietnam, and she had no problems with her flights. She doesn't speak any English and this was her first time on a plane.

To help her, we sent a list of common English phrases that she would need along with the Vietnamese translation (we emailed it to her son who printed it out for her);

• I am thirsty. May I have a cup of water?
  
• I am hungry. May I have something to eat?
  
• I need to use the restroom.
  
• My contact in the USA is (name, address, & phone number).
  
• These are my flights.
  

Fortunately, there were many Vietnamese-Americans on her flights. She was able to get help from them in making her connection in Taiwan and point her to the correct line for customs at LAX. She didn't even need the list we made for her.

Edited February 22, 2012 by aaron2020

[Sandra G. 5,074]

She can bring a letter in English saying that she does not speak English and she needs an interpreter. She can show this letter to the flight attendant and they probably will arrange someone to walk her to board the flight to Tampa,and you can write another letter that she will show to the immigration saying that she does not speak English, she is your mother in law and she will be in your house for xxxxx days,and you are waiting for her at the airport, if they need to contact your phone number is xxxxxx

[Severina 7]

Well, if I was you I would send my mother some notes in English explaining her situation. For instance all the flight details so that she can ask someone for the way to the gate etc.. There are always info counters at every airport and even if she doesn't speak English I'm sure that there's a way to explain her where she has to go. Maybe she gets lucky and another person from Egypt can translate for her. What is also really important is that you write a letter for her for the immigration officer in the US. The last time when I entered the US I noticed that there were some old people from India (I think) and they didn't speak any English. The officer was asking other people in the waiting line if they could translate. I myself helped a German couple who didn't speak English. So when it was my turn I talked to the IO about how difficult it must be to deal with people who don't speak any English and she said it would make their lives so much easier if the relatives who live in the US would provide their family members with a letter explaining who they are going to visit, where they live, how long they intend to stay, etc.. I thought this was a quite helpful information in case my parents ever wanted to visit me here in the US. So I wouldn't worry too much. Make it as easy for your mom as possible and keep in mind that airports are full of foreigners who speak all kinds of languages, the staff there is trained to help. Good luck!

[Hatem&Zeinab 30]

Thanks everybody for your replies. You all provided very helpful information

[**The Dude** 7]

am with the cue cards idea (mainly her flights times and direction & another for ur contacts) & if u still have the option to change flight to be straight flight from cai to jfk will make things alot either...hey good luck n remind mom not to bring any fried chicken with her so things wont get worse at POE