January 7.
Colin C. Maclean deplores the ''Americanisation'' of the English
language (January 10). He might reflect how fortunate we are that since
America, along with our former colonies, adopted English, it has become
the world language, certainly in aviation, science, entertainment, and
even politics.
Senior people and foreign heads of government speak perfect English,
and it is unusual to travel in the great continents of Europe, Africa,
and India without being able to communicate in English.
English is a very colourful world language with many anomalies of
spelling and pronunciation. The Americans have done a little to improve
spelling, not always acceptable to the mother tongue, but it is time the
British started to reform and make English usage more logical.
I see little wrong in ''train station'' (akin to bus station) and
''railroad'' might be just as logical as ''railway''.
Thomas E. Whittle,
19 Kildoon Drive,
Maybole.
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