I still think with your test idea you'd end up excluding way too many people for it to still be considered a democracy as we know it today.
Well, I think that depends on the test. Again, I'm not expecting people to know the details of everyone's manifesto - I'd fail that test! But a basic knowledge of who the main candidates are and what they stand for at a high level isn't a bad idea. But I agree there's lots of potential for this to be a terrible idea which simply causes other problems.
I actually don't think it would have made a difference to the Trump election. I think most people who voted for him knew exactly who he was and knew the sorts of things he was promising. I find his attitudes and policies reprehensible but so long as the people who vote for him know what they are and find themselves agreeing with them then fine. I'm not saying we should try and stop people making a bad choice in who they vote for - that's subjective. I'm saying we should try and stop people making uninformed choices. If you don't know who the main leaders are or anything about their policies then on what basis are you casting a vote?
Proponents of tests to prove an applicant’s ability to read and understand English claimed that the exams ensured an educated and informed electorate. In practice they were used to disqualify immigrants and the poor, who had less education. In the South they were used to prevent African Americans from registering to vote.
Different era. Everyone has access to education now.
And I wouldn't necessarily tie this to literacy, although that is another problem with my otherwise brilliant plan. If you can't read then can you pass the test? It seems reasonable that someone has never been able to read but still knows who the politicians are and what they stand for and therefore should get a vote. There are accessibility issues here.
As for whether people should learn themselves the language #simpsons. We are quite nice in the UK - London is very cosmopolitan and you can get translations of many documents, recognising that not everyone who lives here speak well England.
The French have a very different attitude, which is basically "learn French or piss off". I think they kinda have a point. If you go and live in a country I'd suggest the onus is on you to learn their language in order to fully participate in their society.