perhaps unker works as contractor under a chinese speaking boss.... so technically dont need communication, just work with his hands and feet is enough... also assuming he comes from a rural chinese kampung... i wont be surprised if he cant speak mandarin too.

There are actually many aged 50+ who didnt even graduate from primary schools.. work in hard labour since young and eventually come to KL. I have a few relatives like that... but because they work alongside with indon and bangla contractors, so their BM is pretty decent compared to that unker.. can speak bangla too.

same job, same boss for 50 years.. not surprising for ppl like him who cannot get hired for any other job apart from the one he's doing.

also, his children can settle the translations.