I can replicate with bpcleary's steps. My svg had a funky character that looked like a Y. Replaced it with a Y and got on with things.
% inkscape --version Inkscape 0.48.3.1 r9886 (Nov 1 2012)
I can replicate with bpcleary's steps. My svg had a funky character that looked like a Y. Replaced it with a Y and got on with things.
% inkscape --version
Inkscape 0.48.3.1 r9886 (Nov 1 2012)