So we´ve all heard: Learning a second language is hard. It´s also often hilarious to the ears of native speakers. Countless novice Spanish speakers have accidentally been very horny when they meant to say they were hot. During my friend Kayla´s first week studying in Japan, she found herself sitting awkwardly at a table of hushed Japanese businessmen when she accidentally made a toast to “penises.” My first month in Chile, when people asked me why I chose to study there, I told them because I “wanted to learn to suffer,” instead of expressing my desire to learn surfing.

Those who have a better command of the language can also use others’ lack of skill for mucho fun. I once had a friend visit me in Guatemala and told him that “Serote” was how to say “Sir” or “Ma´am” in this country. “Serote” actually translate closer to “Shithead.” It was not easy to hold back my laughter when he went in to a store and the following conversation took place in loud Gringo Spanish:

Friend: Hey shithead, I would like a Coca-cola.

Store owner: (with a murderously amused expression). A Coca-cola?

Friend: Yes, shithead.

(The store owner slowly grabs the soda and my friend pays.)

Friend: Many thanks shithead!

Most travelers have plenty of their own stories of their own mistakes in other languages. So here I encourage you to leave a comment below, sharing other hilarious language blunders you’re encountered.

This BBC article actually made me tilt my head a little and sigh, “wow,” under my breath (that hasn’t happened in a while). A company has just announced the invention of a pair of glasses that, when paired with a microphone and translation software, will project real-time translations into your eyes. There is also a model combined with a headset, because just what the world needs is more confused telemarketers wandering about to hear the translated conversations you’re having.

The Tele Scouter, was originally designed to aid as an international business tool for sales calls. The spectacles will first go on sale November of 2010 in Japan.

Pretty “Star Trek,” eh? This contraption gives a new meaning to the phrase, “I see what you’re saying.” However, I can’t help but think that these will give even more travelers an excuse not to learn the language, or anything else for that matter, when they travel.