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What if you can only read english?
Mon, 04/30/2007 - 13:50
Sharpshots
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Greetings to the masters(and mistresses) of backpacking,
 
I am new to this forum, and have learnt so much about researching for transport.
 
The problem is, i can’t read any other languages other than english, and many of the recommaded website, no dobut very useful, are only displayed in other languages(with no alternative languages) that makes it virtally useless…
 
For example, bahn.de
 
May i ask, is there websites with english as the language? and, can i swtich to english on bahn.de?
 
Thanks a lot!

Mon, 04/30/2007 - 14:36
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Here’s the link to the English page for bahn.de:   http://reiseauskunft… But if you click on “international guests” on www.bahn.de you’ll get to an English page.

Almost all tourism-oriented websites have an English page.  Click on “English” or on the little Brittish flag.


Mon, 04/30/2007 - 15:23
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Just look a little closer, most of those sites all have an english version.  And if for some reason they don’t, then use www.freetranslation….

Mon, 04/30/2007 - 16:24
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oldlady and nivid have, as always, given excellent advice.

Some websites, however, have less functionality if you switch to English. For example, I’ve noticed that trenitalia website would show ticket prices for my route on Italian pages, but not on English page. Sometimes you can figure out how the site works in English, and then try to repeat the same steps in the original language. You may be surprised by what you see! [Smile]

Mon, 04/30/2007 - 22:11
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I do find Bahn.de a bit frustrating, because there are special offers on their page that are only listed in German. With a fair bit of effort, you can understand them. But regular ticket booking and schedule checking is quite possible in English.

Tue, 05/01/2007 - 10:39
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Seva has a point about functionality.  Trenitalia.com can be a problem and the French rail site: sncf.com switches you back and forth between French and English with almost every page change.  While the websites provide basic information in English they don’t always function very well if you’re trying to buy tickets, make reservations, etc.

Sun, 05/13/2007 - 08:45
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Greetings! Thanks for your respond! So if there is special offer in the original language(e.g. German, french), we have to work the language out, other than switching to english, in order to find out? do we have any recommandation on understanding the language, other than guess-working? thanks
 
P.S. Sorry about the constant wave of questions…

Mon, 05/14/2007 - 11:02
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Sometimes, the link for the English version won’t say “English.”  Often times, the link for the English version will just be a tiny British flag.


beach-lunch-siesta-beach-shower-dinner-nightlife-repeat

Mon, 05/14/2007 - 19:20
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Quote:
ORIGINAL: Sharpshots
So if there is special offer in the original language(e.g. German, french), we have to work the language out, other than switching to english, in order to find out?
Pretty much so. Perhaps part of the reason is that special offers are only valid for a short time, and website designers don’t see a point in updating foreign version of the website as often as the one in the main language. (The other could be that the point of special offers is to make people take trains when they would stay home or drive otherwise. You, a foreing visitor, hardly have any choice.)
Anyway, when you see a big banner on the front page containig words “Paris,” “Rome,” and “29 Euro” you can probably figure out what kind of special offer is going on, regardless of language.