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Speaking the truth

Now is this an example of multiculturalism gone wrong or what?

In recent times there has been a court case where a chap was convicted of not paying freeway tolls and racking up a bill of some $22,000.

Now this in itself is no great drama - we'd all do it if we could!

But this guy's defence was that he couldn't speak English very well and didn't know the roadway attracted a toll.

Again, fair enough - if you've just hopped off the plane or boat.

However, this chap has been living in Australia for 23 years and my gripe is that he has not had the courtesy of learning the language of the country he has chosen to live in.

If I lived in a non-English speaking country I would do my damnedest - even in my advancing years - to learn their language.

It's not only sensible - making life easier for yourself - but also a small way of saying thanks for letting me stay here. It seems to me that in this once-great, now-we'll-pander-to-anyone nation, that the authorities have got it wrong.

Surely it should be compulsory for immigrants living in Australia for more than five years to have learned the language. Even better would be that they can speak it before being allowed in.

Anyway, I'm off to Germany for a long stay so I better start practising. "Zwei bier, bitte."

Oh, well, it's a start.

If there is something that has really got up your nose, let Grumpy Old Coot know at grumpy@webwombat.com