Initial Communication

[SKG_Scintill]

In the time of the 1500s-1600s when European countries first travelled to Asian countries by ship, they had to communicate in some way with the inhabitants.
Ofcourse after settling, a new generation will come that's raised with both languages, solving the issue. But what do you do in the phase between?

How do you for instance teach the first translator if he/she only knows his own language? Do you start from the very basics with "this. is. apple. this. is. book", or is there a global language when it comes to trading?

What do you think, how does communication start when neither side knows the other language?