Originally Posted by
Taunton Blue Genie
Not learning the local language must be a considerable hindrance to integrating into another culture/team/environment - and it's curious as to why someone who can afford to have someone by their side every day tutoring them both in formal and informal situations doesn't make the effort.
A tip for those making the effort when playing abroad: don't literally translate football terminology into another language as I did when I played for an amateur team abroad many moons ago. I still cringe thinking about a faux pas or two of mine in that department, in particular 'in the air' and 'on the wing'. Literal translations of both terms were non-sensical to my understanding team mates. I am just thankful that I didn't try 'square ball'.............
By the way, a penalty in German is known as an 'Elfmeter' i.e. an eleven metre.