Sir, – Your article "Knowledge test for taxi drivers under review" (November 14th) begins with the question, "Should those applying for a taxi licence here undergo an English language test?" They certainly should. In my experience, a significant minority of taxi drivers, including many Irish-born drivers, struggle to grasp even the most elementary phrases in the English language, in particular the phrase "2004 smoking ban". – Yours, etc,
RONAN SCANLAN
Leopardstown,
Dublin 18.
Sir, – Regarding the issue of the mooted English language test for taxi drivers, I think that the taxi drivers themselves are already aware of communication difficulties, as they follow every statement with the question, “You know what I mean?” – Yours, etc,
GARRY BURY,
Dalkey,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – As anyone who has had the misfortune of sharing a taxi home from the pub with someone “worse for the wear” will know, it’s the passengers who need language lessons.– Yours, etc,
M O’TOOLE,
Bray,
Co Wicklow.