How did old trade Empires communicate with each other?

Question

Things like the Dutch spice trade. How did they set up these trading routes half way across the world from each other with no translators?

In: 13

Answer 1

It’s not very hard to learn a few dozen words in a new language, if you have some motivation. Journals from early European traders (1400’s – 1500’s) have them learning enough for trade in just a week or so. Pointing and pigin can go a long way.

I haven’t read any of the Dutch journals, but the English and French were often able to set up trade ports by the second or third visit to a place.