A failure to communicate

This morning after getting off the tram to work the short distance to work, I was approached by a Sudanese lady who tried to ask me a question, unfortunately she spoke no English and I don't speak her native tongue.

It struck me how difficult it must be for someone who doesn't speak the language of the country to live. It must be incredibly difficult to live, work and shop within the broader community.

This is not to say that every one should learn English before they arrive here, that's stupid.

I wonder how I would go, immersed in another country unable to speak the language. Not well I suspect.