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Traveller T-Shirt With 40 Icons Lets You Communicate In Any Country Even If You Don’t Speak Its Language

I wish I had this shirt when I was in Afghanistan. In 2009, we were situated in a little Observation Post somewhere in Kandahar for a week or two at a time, with nothing but rations to fill our bellies. After many days and much elaborate drawing, I finally managed to communicate to a local Afghan National Army soldier that we were interested in real food. For the rest of our stay, and for just a few dollars per week, we were treated to hot meals twice per day. But had I had this IconSpeak shirt, weeks of eating cold rations could have been avoided.

IconSpeak is a useful T-shirt printed with 40 universal icons, perfect for those occasions when you don’t speak the local language and have forgotten how to sign “I think there’s a problem with my carburettor.” The shirt was thought up by three Swiss “pen-pushers” over numerous drinks and after an adventure with a broken-down motorcycle, somewhere in Vietnam. Read a little bit of their story below:

“Many times we were confronted with a language barrier that was only to be overcome by drawing signs, symbols or icons on a piece of paper, map, or into the dirt,” explain George, Steven, and Florian. “We thought it would be great to have an essential set of icons with you, permanently, so that you could just point on whatever you need – and people would understand. Soon the notepad was pulled out again and we started listing more or less essential icons that would have been of great help during not just ours, but basically anyone’s trip.”

More info: iconspeak.world (h/t: ufunk)

“In the discussion and selection process we came across some icons that were on the long list” IconSpeak told Bored Panda

travel-shirt-iconspeak-world-12

“Don’t make something unless its both necessary, and useful”

travel-shirt-iconspeak-world-15

“But if it is both necessary and useful, don’t hesitate to make it beautiful”

travel-shirt-iconspeak-world-4

“We decided to really make the world edition ‘essential’”

travel-shirt-iconspeak-world-11

“Imagine if you had to choose several animal icons – where would you stop?”

travel-shirt-iconspeak-world-2

“We aim to develop a icon language that can be used and understood all over the world”

travel-shirt-iconspeak-world-13

“To see now that this is really happening is a big pleasure”

travel-shirt-iconspeak-world-5

“We invite individuals and institutions from all over the world to participate in this venture”

travel-shirt-iconspeak-world-14

Bored Panda would like to thank the IconSpeak team for this interview!

travel-shirt-iconspeak-world-1

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What do you think ?

POST

MegBee 8 years ago

It seems like a good idea at first glance, but I don't want to wear clothing that screams, "I'm a tourist and I don't understand the language!" I'd be afraid it would make me a bigger target for pick-pocketers and other ill-intentioned characters.

27points

AlbinoSquirrel 8 years ago

Wearing a shirt with icons on it doesn't make people think you're a tourist. For all they know, you could just be wearing a shirt.

11points

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PavelNekoranec 8 years ago

Oh trust me, locals always see the foreigner. Like in Europe, you can see people from USA from distance.

6points

MasonDavis 8 years ago

If they even read get the concept in the first place. Not looking like a tourist is a weak excuse for traveling anywhere I think. Its way better than taking 20 minutes to find where your going, what to eat and or where to relieve yourself. After all the places I have been this would have helped in so many ways. But if you worried about being robbed or ill intentioned characters and not taking on the adventure of traveling then live vicariously through people that do take that risk. Being a tourist is better than being scared.

6points

JesseRichard 8 years ago

I genuinely think it's an honest question to ask if you even have a passport when you assume foreigners are pick-pocketers and ill-intentioned characters. And by foreigners I mean natives of the land you'd be visiting if you had a passport.

3points

AndrewNuntapreda 8 years ago

If you're white in Africa, Asia, or South America it really doesn't matter what you're wearing. You're going to scream tourist just by your skin color. This is an awesome idea!

2points

JoyFaeli 8 years ago

Being a tourist is awesome! You have nothing to worry about in most places. Just listen to your intuition. But embracing the tourist as you travel really is okay. Most places appreciate your visit and sharing in their economy

0points

DariaB 8 years ago

Uhm... Cute idea, but would look awkward on me. The icons would be less visible on my curved front and I'd have to drag my shirt to flatten it every time of I don't wanna look like pointing on my breasts...

26points

starla4 8 years ago

Just print it out and keep it in your purse.

16points

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EdmundMai 8 years ago

Yea, I'd rather just pay $1 for an app called Trip Icons which does the same thing except you it's on your phone / watch... https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/trip-icons/id1068047965?mt=8

3points

Biju 8 years ago

Abjectly what is it in 4th column and 2nd raw?

2points

RobertPaulson 8 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

GrahamSawicki 8 years ago

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SophieShaw 8 years ago

How about just print these images on a small piece of paper that stays in your wallet?

18points

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POST

MegBee 8 years ago

27points

AlbinoSquirrel 8 years ago

Wearing a shirt with icons on it doesn't make people think you're a tourist. For all they know, you could just be wearing a shirt.

11points

Load More Replies...

PavelNekoranec 8 years ago

Oh trust me, locals always see the foreigner. Like in Europe, you can see people from USA from distance.

6points

MasonDavis 8 years ago

6points

JesseRichard 8 years ago

3points

AndrewNuntapreda 8 years ago

If you're white in Africa, Asia, or South America it really doesn't matter what you're wearing. You're going to scream tourist just by your skin color. This is an awesome idea!

2points

JoyFaeli 8 years ago

0points

DariaB 8 years ago

26points

starla4 8 years ago

Just print it out and keep it in your purse.

16points

Load More Replies...

EdmundMai 8 years ago

Yea, I'd rather just pay $1 for an app called Trip Icons which does the same thing except you it's on your phone / watch... https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/trip-icons/id1068047965?mt=8

3points

Biju 8 years ago

Abjectly what is it in 4th column and 2nd raw?

2points

RobertPaulson 8 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

GrahamSawicki 8 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

SophieShaw 8 years ago

How about just print these images on a small piece of paper that stays in your wallet?

18points

Load More Comments

Traveller T-Shirt With 40 Icons Lets You Communicate In Any Country Even If You Don’t Speak Its Language

“In the discussion and selection process we came across some icons that were on the long list” IconSpeak told Bored Panda

“Don’t make something unless its both necessary, and useful”

“But if it is both necessary and useful, don’t hesitate to make it beautiful”

“We decided to really make the world edition ‘essential’”

“Imagine if you had to choose several animal icons – where would you stop?”

“We aim to develop a icon language that can be used and understood all over the world”

“To see now that this is really happening is a big pleasure”

“We invite individuals and institutions from all over the world to participate in this venture”

Bored Panda would like to thank the IconSpeak team for this interview!

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