I've only been to France for a day, in Lille, and not been to Austria, so I can't help much with that (although Lille was a nice place).
But language, English is pretty much the most wide-spread language you will find anywhere. In pretty much any large tourist city, the people working speak at least a limited amount of English, if not fluent English. English is the language people who come from other countries use to communicate when they don't speak the local language (ie, in Italy I heard plenty of people speaking English with Eastern European accents, etc). You should be perfectly fine visiting any touristy cities and speaking English. Though of course it doesn't hurt to know some words/phrases/sentences. You could always check out your local library if they have any of those travel dictionary-phrasebook kind of things for you to look over...
I'm bad with phrasebooks that don't also come with tapes because I find it really hard to understand how words are pronounced from reading about it alone - the only way I can learn it is if I keep hearing it. Library is a good suggestion though, so I'll definitely take a poke around. Thanks heaps! ♥
I liked France more than I liked Austria. I've only been to Vienna in Austria though. It all depends on what you want to see, and what cities you want to go to, but I prefer the food and drinks in France (though I did eat AMAZING sausage in Vienna!) But the meats, cheese, bread, and wine in France can't be beat. And if you were planning on going to the main cities, there's a ton more to do in Paris, than in Vienna.
As for only speaking English, I'll echo what the above poster said, and you'll be fine. This is stereotyping, but pretty much everyone in any big European city speaks English. I find it's nice to know a few words in the local language, especially please and thank you! Yes and no is a good one to learn too. I worked in London at a tourist attraction for the past year, and I always found it annoying when people couldn't at least learn how to say thank you in English.
Ooh, all the foods you talked about (in France and Austria) sound absolutely amazing! I'm planning to do Paris in France and major city + skiing places in Austria, since I do think Vienna probably won't have as much to occupy me as Paris. I still haven't decided, but it's good to hear about it.
Probably France for bigger/better fireworks at NY time! Eh, you'll be fine. I only know English and you get around everywhere. Just be prepared for lots of mangling of names, finger pointing, charades and pictionary/notes.
I second that... in France, I've found, even though they may speak English they are not always willing. In Austria (Vienna), English is spoken enough that you won't have a problem.
By far the easiest to navigate with English is Denmark & The Netherlands. I personally love France...studied French since 7th grade and did a semester abroad there in 2002. Though English is widely spoken, once you start getting further away from Paris, it's not that common. For example, I studied in a town in Normandy and the only place I heard English was at the D-Day beaches.
The Parisians are quick to use English actually. Many times I've had it happen where I'll ask them questions in French and they'll respond in English.
In Paris (my only French city visited,) you have to at least try and speak to them a little in French. Most people speak English, but if you just start talking to them in English expecting it; it will piss them off. You have to greet them in their own language. They will stop you from butchering before you get too far.
In Italy, I also found it helpful to greet people and try and say a few things in Italian, but people are very friendly, so they will try and speak English and there will lots of hand gesturing and you just kind of understand each other.
I was in Paris for New Years and it was great. I spoke very little French and was fine. I always bother to learn the basics in any language of a country I am visiting. Do you have an ipod? World Nomads has free things you can get from itunes for the basics in nearly every language. Vienna is lovely, but I would take France over Austria any day. Unless you want to ski, then Austria is your place. Every single Danish person I have met speaks English! As a note for France, and especially Paris, you get treated better if you at least attempt to stumble through French.
Ooh, sounds lovely. I don't use iTunes much so I didn't think to look for podcasts, but that's a great idea! I'll take a look. Thank you for the tip. ♥
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But language, English is pretty much the most wide-spread language you will find anywhere. In pretty much any large tourist city, the people working speak at least a limited amount of English, if not fluent English. English is the language people who come from other countries use to communicate when they don't speak the local language (ie, in Italy I heard plenty of people speaking English with Eastern European accents, etc). You should be perfectly fine visiting any touristy cities and speaking English. Though of course it doesn't hurt to know some words/phrases/sentences. You could always check out your local library if they have any of those travel dictionary-phrasebook kind of things for you to look over...
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As for only speaking English, I'll echo what the above poster said, and you'll be fine. This is stereotyping, but pretty much everyone in any big European city speaks English. I find it's nice to know a few words in the local language, especially please and thank you! Yes and no is a good one to learn too. I worked in London at a tourist attraction for the past year, and I always found it annoying when people couldn't at least learn how to say thank you in English.
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Thanks for the help! ♥
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You shouldn't have any trouble at all in Denmark, they learn speaking English at a very young age and they love speaking it.
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The Parisians are quick to use English actually. Many times I've had it happen where I'll ask them questions in French and they'll respond in English.
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In Italy, I also found it helpful to greet people and try and say a few things in Italian, but people are very friendly, so they will try and speak English and there will lots of hand gesturing and you just kind of understand each other.
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Every single Danish person I have met speaks English!
As a note for France, and especially Paris, you get treated better if you at least attempt to stumble through French.
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