Luqman Notebook: Language barrier a pain for journalists in Dominican Republic

In the Dominican Republic, the language barrier has quickly become one of the biggest challenges I've faced—barely two days in, and my Spanish skills are already on life support.

You’d think being so close to the U.S. might mean more people would speak English, but nope! Dominican Spanish reigns supreme here, with a dash of African influence from the transatlantic slave trade and, of course, its colonial past with Spain.

Let me tell you, finding someone who speaks English fluently is like spotting a unicorn. Most people I’ve met know just a few basic words, but when it comes to anything beyond "hello" and "thank you," things get tricky.

Now, imagine my surprise when I hopped into an Uber in Santo Domingo with my colleagues, only to be greeted by Francisco Victor, our driver, who spoke English better than some of us!

Francisco drove us to the Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium, where Kenya’s U-17 Women’s team was gearing up for their last World Cup group match against Mexico.

As we wound through the bustling streets, Francisco casually mentioned how he taught himself English by watching TV. "I learned my English through television," he said with a grin. "Can you believe that?"

At first, we were sceptical, but after a few more minutes of conversation, it was clear—this guy was legit. His secret? Watching the news and soap operas from some of the world’s biggest TV stations.

"Most people here don’t bother to learn English unless they make an effort. It’s not something taught in schools as a priority," Francisco explained, expertly weaving through the busy traffic like a pro.

Honestly, if it wasn’t for Francisco and my trusty sidekick, Google Translate, I’d probably still be lost in translation!

From the moment I landed at Punta Cana Airport to exploring Santo Domingo, Google Translate has been a lifesaver. Whether it’s ordering food at a café, asking for directions at the supermarket, or chatting with street vendors, I’ve relied on it heavily.

And, as luck would have it, one of my colleagues speaks a little French, which has been a bonus, especially since a handful of people here know a bit of it too.

So, while I might not be fluent in Spanish just yet, I’m picking up a few words along the way—and with characters like Francisco in the mix, it's been quite the adventure!