If I'm somewhere where I can't read the local language nor is there anyone to ask to translate, then menu translation is the least of my worries. How do you do

If I'm somewhere where I can't read the local language nor is there anyone to ask to translate, then menu translation is the least of my worries. How do you do anything else, like pay, or arrange transport or accomodation? I would certainly judge if someone tried to achieve all of those things by waving a phone around and gesticulating at people. It's a neat feature, don't get me wrong, but a complete luxury (and only works out in relatively developed countries).