Most British holidaymakers cannot be bothered to learn even the most basic words and phrases in the language used in their holiday destination, and 81% refuse to take a phrase book or a dictionary with them, while a third rely on the locals being able to speak English.

The new survey by a leading accommodation website found that those who do not know the local language start speaking English louder and slower to be understood (19%), create a sign language (39%), or start speaking English in a foreign accent thinking that will make them better understood (10%).

75% of holidaymakers mix up the simple words ‘yes’ and ‘no’ in the most common languages spoken at holiday resorts where Brits visit – French, Spanish and Greek.

The survey was conducted by Laterooms.com