EVERYONE NEEDS TO ASK FOR DIRECTIONS ONCE IN A WHILE

Are you planning your next trip? How to get directions in 10 languages!

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Having a general knowledge of the geography and local language is sound advice for anyone visiting a foreign land. Knowing your way around and being able to communicate with the locals will always ensure a smoother experience. However, this may not always be the case. Perhaps you are visiting for the first time, find yourself in unfamiliar territory, or are not sure about how to properly ask for directions. If that is the case, it is always a good idea to know, at the very least, how to ask for help in the local language. Scroll on to learn about the proper way to ask for directions in 10 widely used languages, from the familiar to the obscure.

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Let’s start with one of the best-known languages for all English speakers aside from their own: Spanish. This incredibly rich language has countless words for everything, which allows us to be very specific when describing something.

But if we are pressed for time, in a Spanish-speaking environment and need to get somewhere, we can simply say "¿Dónde está?" ( Don Deh Is Tah) followed by the name of whichever place we need to reach. That little phrase means, literally, "where is?"

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Another beautiful and ancient language with Latin origins, Italian, might sound slightly similar to Spanish but it’s a whole different thing. Italian is a very musical language, usually accompanied by generous body language.

If you ever find yourself in an Italian-speaking part of the world and need to ask for directions, you should say "Dov'è…?" (Dove eh), once again**, followed by the name of the place you need to get to.** Any Italian worth their salt will quickly understand and point you in the right direction.

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Between Italy and Spain, we find another beautiful Mediterranean language: French. This sophisticated language makes us feel like we are in a movie and can be challenging to anyone who doesn’t speak it, as its correct pronunciation involves some sounds quite different from those commonly used in English.

The French are very proud of their language, as they should be, and appreciate when someone makes an honest effort to communicate with them in French. If you ever need to ask for directions in French, simply say "Où est…?" (Ooh Eh) followed by the name of the place you need to go, which means "Where is…?"

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Another soft-spoken language that reflects the beautiful landscapes and atmosphere of its nation is Portuguese. This serene language is a close relative to its neighbor, Spanish, and similarities can be found frequently between the two.

If you ever find yourself in the charming streets of Portugal, or perhaps in Brazil, and need to ask for directions, you can say "Onde está…?" (On The Stah) to a local, followed by the name of your destination. Those magical words translate again into "Where is…?"

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Moving on from the Latin-based languages, we encounter a language with some common roots with English: German. The German language might sound harsh to some people (especially those coming from Portuguese-speaking regions), but it is extremely poetic, with words that express very deep and specific emotions often hard to find elsewhere in the world.

When asking for directions in Germany or any other German-speaking region, you should say "Wo ist…? (Voo Est) followed by the name of the place you need to go and directions should be provided.

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Asian languages are very different from European ones, both in terms of sound and structure. Hindi is an extremely ancient language, a direct descendant of Sanskrit, one of the oldest known languages, and learning to communicate in it can be quite challenging for Europeans.

A significant percentage of the Indian population speaks English but that is not a guarantee and it would be smart to learn how to ask for directions in Hindi, just in case. The magical words are "Kahaan hai…?" (Kah Haan Hi) followed by the place you need to get to.

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Japanese people are renowned for their politeness, so you shouldn’t have any trouble asking for directions in a Japanese-speaking area. However, even though many Japanese people do speak English, there is a chance that some may only be able to assist you in their native tongue.

If that is the case, one would be well advised to learn how to say "Where is…?" in Japanese. The correct way of saying so is**: "Doko ni arimasu ka…?" ( Doh Koh Nee Aree Mah Soo Kah) followed by the destination’s name.**

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Africa is not an ideal place for a foreign tourist to get lost, as its natural wonders can present many hazards and perils. But if that is the case, and the lost tourist happens to run into someone who speaks Swahili, knowing how to ask for directions in that language can be extremely helpful.

To ask how to get to a certain place in Swahili, you must say "Iko wapi…?" (E Koh Wah Pee) followed by the name of your desired destination.

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A gorgeous country, full of historic places to visit, beautiful landscapes, and friendly people, Poland is also home to the Polish language, which can be challenging to learn or understand for the untrained ear.

If you ever were to find yourself in the streets of Poland looking for a specific location, know that the correct way to ask for assistance is to say "Gdzie jest…?" (Tzee Eh Yest) followed by the name of the intended destination.

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One of the biggest tourist magnets in the world is, without a doubt, Greece. Its incredible history and monuments, its beautiful beaches and coastal towns, and its delicious food and wine make for an unforgettable experience.

But even in a country so used to foreign visitors, with its fair share of English-speaking locals, you might encounter people who will only speak in Greek. If you ever find yourself in the situation of having to ask for directions in Greek, know that the right way to do so is by saying: "Pou eínai…?" (Poe A Ni) followed by the name of the place you want to visit.

ARTISTIC ALLIANCES

Relive 10 Great Literary Classics Turned Into Outstanding Movies

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Despite using very different languages, cinema has sought inspiration in literature practically since its beginnings. Some of the greatest stories of the seventh art are adaptations from classic books.

Although we hear the expression "The book is better than the movie" quite a lot, there are vast examples in which film adaptations live up to the stories that inspired them. Many times, when watching movies based on our favorite novels, we can discover new dimensions, delightful supporting characters, and surprising subplots we didn’t even know were there. Here are 10 great movies where the synergy between film and literature worked to perfection.

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Considered one of the most important novels in American literature, To Kill a Mockingbird revolves around a widowed lawyer who feels a great responsibility to uphold the law and set a good example for his children. The novel was first published in 1960 and just two years later Atticus Finch became a cinematic legend thanks to Gregory Peck and Robert Mulligan's adaptation of Harper Lee's literary original. One of the best and most remembered trial films, it raised the issue of the institutional racism that prevailed in American society.

Peck's portrayal of this complex character was so good that it earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor. In addition, years later the American Film Institute recognized his brilliant version of Atticus Finch as the greatest hero in the history of cinema, surpassing the likes of Indiana Jones, James Bond, Han Solo, and Rocky Balboa.

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British author Jane Austen is one of the most adapted writers of all time —from Sense and Sensibility to Emma, there are a large number of great films based on her books. But Joe Wright’s adaptation of Pride and Prejudice (2005) is probably one of the most iconic and also the one that best captured the novelist's sense of humor.

As a result of the director's attention to detail, the film was a great success with audiences and critics alike. In fact, this great work of adaptation was granted an Oscar nomination for Best Costume Design and Best Art Direction. In addition, Keira Knightley was nominated for Best Actress for her accurate and memorable portrayal of Elizabeth Bennet. Donald Sutherland’s scene-stealing role as the weary but gentle Mr. Bennet deserves a special mention. If you don’t trust us, just go back and watch the memorable scene where he gives Elizabeth his consent to marry Mr Darcy. Prepare to shed a few tears!

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Undoubtedly the most famous vampire of all time, the story of Dracula has been adapted to film countless times. We all have the pale face of the Count played by Béla Lugosi in 1931 imprinted in our memory, but perhaps the best adaptation of Bram Stoker's novel is the one released sixty years later. In his 1992 version, Francis Ford Coppola was able to take this classic story to levels never seen before, thanks to an excellent cast led by Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, and Anthony Hopkins.

As if this were not enough, this adaptation sought to explain the origins of the vampire, making very clear the causes of his curse and his eternal conflict with God. In this way, Coppola was able to turn one of the most classic monsters of gothic literature into one of the most chilling creatures of cinema, whose aged appearance and twisted shadow are capable of terrifying anyone.

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Margaret Mitchell's brilliant novel was surely one of the most important adaptation challenges in the history of cinema. Fortunately, the result could not have been better. Victor Fleming's film brought to the big screen —as early as 1939 and in dazzling Technicolor—, one of the best love stories of all time. The director’s meticulous care of every detail of the production can be seen in the breathtaking images showing the aftermath of the American Civil War.

The impressive acting work of Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable as Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler are out of this world. Still considered one of the most important and tragic couples in celluloid history, their performance earned them an Oscar nomination for Best Actor and an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. If you haven't seen it yet, you should know that this is a must-see classic for anyone who claims to be a movie buff!

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With over 65 published novels it is no wonder that Stephen King is one of the most adapted American authors in the history of cinema. Quintessential films like The Shining (Stanley Kubrick, 1980) and Misery (Rob Reiner, 1990) have given us some of the most legendary scares of our lives. But perhaps Brian De Palma's version of Carrie (1976) is the most faithful approach to a King text, as well as being one of the best films about adolescence and the real terrors it entails.

Sissy Spacek's memorable performance as Carrie and the iconic prom scene will remain in the memory of viewers for generations. Thanks to De Palma's cinematic approach, this movie version of the novel has left a lasting mark on horror cinema and solidified Stephen King's indisputable storytelling talent for the big screen.

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Although it is one of the most successful films of the 20th century —adjusted for inflation, it is the ninth highest-grossing film in the history of the United States—, some claim that this 1965 three-hour-long screen version of Doctor Zhivago gives excessive attention to the romance between Yuri and Lara, omitting the political message of the original book.

Arguments aside, the technical perfection of the film —it won 5 Academy Awards at the time— and the excellent performance of Omar Sharif have been enough for many to consider this adaptation of Boris Pasternak's novel as one of the greatest classics of all time. In addition, the work of director David Lean is considered a great achievement, even above one of his previous masterpieces, Lawrence of Arabia.

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Another literary classic adapted to the big screen many times, Little Women got a revival in 2019 thanks to Greta Gerwig's modern take. Although the book portrays a historical moment totally different from our current reality, Gerwig manages to give the film that touch of freshness that makes a classic feel current and new. The truth is that her focus on female empowerment and the existential crises of growing up are things we can still identify with today.

In this way, the director —who was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay— manages to tell the same story we all know and love through a new lens, while remaining true to the spirit of Louisa May Alcott's 1868 novel. In addition, Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, and Timothée Chalamet make the most of every moment on screen as they play these memorable characters with mastery and emotion.

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Patricia Highsmith is another of the great American authors who has given the world amazing books that were later adapted into films. Carol, The American Friend, and Strangers on a Train are just a few examples. But the 1999 version of The Talented Mr. Ripley by Anthony Mighella is the most famous adaptation of a Highsmith novel and perhaps the best of the whole Ripley saga.

With a stellar cast that included Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow as the happy couple and Matt Damon in the role of the charming yet terrible Tom Ripley, the film was a total success. Nominated for five Academy Awards, The Talented Mr. Ripley left us some of the greatest scenes in film history.

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In 1998, Mexican director Alfonso Cuarón decided to take the story of Charles Dickens's literary classic Great Expectations and make it into a film. However, he did not limit himself to the original premise and structure but gave it a twist. He chose to set the story in the present day, turning Pip —here called Finn— into a young dreamer whose mysterious benefactor helps him travel to New York to become a great artist capable of fighting for his dreams.

The film stood out for its excellent soundtrack, the use of a green tone color palette, and above all, for an excellent cast that included big Hollywood names such as Ethan Hawke, Gwyneth Paltrow, Chris Cooper, Robert DeNiro, and Anne Bancroft.

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Many of the best science fiction films of all time are based on classic books. For example, Total Recall, War of the Worlds, and Solaris have been adapted from the works of renowned authors. But perhaps the best one in this genre is Blade Runner, directed by Ridley Scott in 1982.

Starring Harrison Ford, this futuristic classic with neo-noir touches is based on the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, written by Phillip K. Dick in 1968. In a dystopian future where humans are manufactured and transferred to colonies located outside of Earth, bounty hunter Rick Deckard will have to confront them. Although at the time of its release, it did not receive much recognition, this film loaded with philosophical connotations has managed to transcend both frontiers and generations to become a cult movie adored by fans all over the world.