[dakota]

This is very true. I studied abroad last year, and some of the students who could not read had an incredibly difficult time. Eventually, they were forced to catch up, and life got much better for them. They could explore the city much easier, do things on there own, without having to have someone who could read with them.

[DigitalTurk]

Could you elaborate. How was not being able to read a problem?

Did they have trouble navigating the city? Was this perhaps in a city without subways?

[matthewrudy]

As an example, lets imagine we're in Taipei and we're ill.

We're walking down the street, but all the shops look the same. http://goo.gl/maps/sj3ft

Where can I get some medicine?

The answer is the one that says ”藥行“

[DigitalTurk]

I thought we were talking about people who spoke Chinese? Can't they just ask?

On a few occasions, in my own country, I've had old immigrants ask me to read something for them. I don't know if they are visually impaired or illiterate but it wasn't a big deal. (Though it is sad when you consider these people have probably been living here for a long time.)

Anyway, if it's someone who doesn't speak English it's not _that_ difficult to find medicine.

Go on the Internet, google a picture of the medicine you need, and show it to people?

Or use Google Translate? I've communicated with realtors using Google Translate. It was a frustrating experience, but it worked.

And if that doesn't work then I'm sure you can find _someone_ who speaks English. That wouldn't take half an hour, I'm sure. You can also try using gestures or drawings.

This strikes me as fairly trivial stuff. I mean, I'll grant you that I'd be worried sick if my mother was running around in Taipei on her own, as she's not used to traveling and doesn't speak English. But we seem to be talking about young, smart, educated English speakers here. It's not that big a deal.

Edit: said->sad