To clarify - I am not one of those arrogant travelers who makes no effort to learn other languages & expects everyone to speak English (I speak Spanish & Gaelic as well as English).

But years of solo travel experience have taught me that you don't need much to get by.

I have found that if you learn the following 5 phrases (accompanied by lots of hand-signals), you'll be fine in 90% of circumstances...

1. Excuse me
2. Hello
3. Thanks
4. Thanks very much
5. Goodbye

As well as those, the following 4 English phrases are understood pretty much worldwide (apart from a few undiscovered tribes in New Guinea).

1. Hi
2. Thanks
3. Sorry
4. No problem

So ditch the phrasebook. Write these few words on the back of your guidebook & you'll be grand.