Discover more about a packpacker pictogram book
1- Definition of a pictogram
2- How was the book created?
3- What is an international visual translation book?
4- When to use the backpacker pictogram book?
5- Why this book is so useful to backpackers?
6- Where can you buy this book?
7- Interacting with us
1- Definition of Pictogram
A Pictograph (also called pictogram or pictogramme) is an ideogram that conveys its meaning through its pictorial resemblance to a physical object. Earliest examples of pictographs include ancient or prehistoric drawings or paintings found on rock walls. Pictographs are also used in writing and graphic systems in which the characters are to considerable extent pictorial in appearance.
Pictography is a form of writing which uses representational, pictorial drawings. It is a basis of cuneiform and, to some extent, hieroglyphic writing, which uses drawings also as phonetic letters or determinative rhymes. (source: wikipedia)
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The author, Lionel, has been travelling for decades. He has been travelling either as a businessman, a backpacker or a tourist and he has always encountered the same problem…he can’t speak more than two languages, which are English and French.
Now like most people, he assumed that speaking English when travelling abroad would be sufficient. Well he assumed wrong! For example, when he went to China for business he couldn’t find people, apart from translators, that speak English. How did he communicate? Well, in these situations, only by making gestures and drawings.
Did it work? Well not really and this is how he came to the idea of creating a book that would enable him to communicate his needs or ideas by pointing at well designed images or pictograms. The aim of this book is to be able to carry it all day long and communicate with your interlocutor with ease in any situations.
So remember, don’t assume that when travelling you will be able to communicate within your own language because the reality is that you can’t and in some cases, like explained in the International Visual Translator book, your life could depend on it.
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3- What is an International visual translation book?
Now that we defined and explained how it was created, it seems important to understand what the International visual translation book is.
But first you must know that people refer to this book also as a universal phrasebook, a pocket language translator, an international visual translator or a visual translation lexicon. All these names mean the same…a book full of images and pictograms that will enable you to communicate.
The international visual translation book is made of eight themes that will help you communicate abroad without speaking the language, which includes transport, health, accommodation, restaurant, finance, buying, leisure and communication. Click here to find more information about the book.
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4- When to use the International visual book?
This visual translation book is going to become your best friend when travelling abroad without speaking the language. You can use this book at any time.
- If you want some cash, you can point at the cash machine image in the book.
- If you are a businessman and you have a meeting to attend and you wish to get your shirts ironed, you can show the hotel receptionist the image of the lady ironing.
- If you are a gap year student wanting to give news to your family and you wish to get to a cyber café, you can point at the web connection pictograms.
- If you are working as a humanitarian you may be interested in showing people health images and pictograms, for example scans, blood tests, etc
- If you are a backpacker, you may want to look for means of transportation.
- If you are a tourist or a retiree enjoying your holidays, you may want to ask for the various activities available to you, such as playing football, cycling, the bar, etc..
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5- Why this book is so useful?
The international visual translator is useful because you can refer to it when ever you need it. It has got over 700 pictograms.
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6- Where can you buy the book?
You can buy the international visual translation book on our website. Our online shop is highly secured. We are using the PayPal payment solution.
Once you have placed an order, we will dispatch it within 24 hours. If you have any queries regarding the shipping please refer to our delivery page.
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Because we would love to hear from you, we have created a blog. The blog enables us to give you regular updates on the book and it enables you to give us feedback.
If you have any general enquiries you can also drop us a line at info@skippyglobetrotter.com
If you have any enquiries regarding an order that you have placed, please contact us at orders@skippyglobetrotter.com