Saturday's Letters:Struggling to come to terms with the language

First, it is important to explode one of the myths on the subject – that all foreign children can speak English. My experience of holidaying abroad has told me that this is far from the case. In fact, I have found only Dutch children quite happy to converse with you in English.

Few of the parents of foreign children appear to be able to speak English. In fact, those with the best linguistic skills are often old men, particularly French and German, who had Second World War experiences.

Our children are faced with a problem that those of many other nations do not appear to have; namely, which language to learn. I suspect that if French, German, Italian and Spanish children were asked which language they would like to learn, they would choose English first.

I wonder how many Spanish children can speak German, or Greek children can speak French? I suspect not many.

So, which foreign language would British children choose if they were allowed to make the choice? For years, French was the chosen language to teach in our schools. Why? Because there were more French teachers available than teachers of other languages – not the best of reasons for choosing French.

Another important factor that we tend to forget is the widespread use of English in popular music. Go to a concert given by an English-speaking artist or group, anywhere on the Continent, and those attending will sing along in English because they know the words.

They quickly pick up the pronunciation, and it isn't long before they work out the meaning. This simply does not happen in this country.

It is interesting to note that in the same issue of the Yorkshire Post, there was an article on the under-achievement in language skills by primary school children from poor backgrounds.

I wonder how many of these children are at the same time struggling to learn a foreign language? And if they are, does it make any sense?

I know that those language purists will read my final comment with horror, but I wish that when the idea of a European community was

first floated, thought had been given to the possible creation of an artificial language, maybe along the lines of Esperanto, that all the nations' children would learn as a matter of course.

From: David Craggs, Tunstall, East Yorkshire.

'Superfluous' CoE in need of reform

From: PJ Gray, Shelley Grove, Sprotbrough, Doncaster.

I READ – and re-read several times – the article by GP Taylor (Yorkshire Post, February 13) and came to the conclusion that your correspondent has hit the nail squarely on the head.

The Anglican Church, like all religious organisations, is superfluous and irrelevant to the vast number of people in this secular nation. However, its historic, privileged position within England still lends it, and its clergy, a special pre-eminence which its marginalised situation no longer merits.

The Anglican Church should be divorced from its current special status and allowed to sink or swim unhindered by its attachment to the state.

With vitally important social issues such as aided suicide and voluntary euthanasia very much topics of general interest currently, one does not wish the views of the Anglican Church to muddy the waters in this post-Christian age during such crucial, open debate.

With its preponderance of prelates and ancient buildings, the Church of England perhaps is in need of a root-and-branch reformation which would

give its mission some sense of direction in this new century.

Fair play from the boys

From: Hilary Burt, Monkton Moor, Harrogate.

I CONSIDER Nick Ahad's review of the production of The History Boys (Yorkshire Post, February 11) at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, in Leeds, as pretty unfair.

I went with a friend who has engaged many musicians, actors, poets and stand-up comedians over the years. We went to the matinee recently and, yes, it started weakly, Ben Lambert playing Irwin being the weakest link at that point, but surely the nerdy new boy is supposed to contrast with the ebullient alternative Hector?

The matinee audience took time to warm up and this must be unnerving for the actors. However, it quickly improved – what was his problem with Gerard Murphy? A fine actor and he was fine, following in the footsteps of Richard Griffiths, no easy task. He made it his own.

The boys were all brilliant, each one bringing something unique to the show.

The harmonised singing was polished and the soloist sweet, and sweet he was, not handsome, but pretty enough for the playing of the androgynous part of confused adolescent sexuality.

As for saying that Kyle Redmond-Jones, playing Dakin, was not good looking enough – for what? A fatuous comment for a serious review.

He is good looking and thoroughly male, perfect for the part. Who did Nick Ahad want? A George Clooney lookalike?

Fortunately, Mr Ahad's harsh criticism will not put anyone off as The History Boys is a sell-out, but he redeemed himself somewhat by saying that it was worth seeing anyway.

Support for centre plan

From: CV Meen, St James Close, Sutton on Hull, East Yorkshire.

I WOULD like to comment n the article concerning the future of The Milburn Arms (Yorkshire Post, February 13).

What a lovely idea of it being turned into an educational centre for deprived youngsters, but I find it very disappointing that a part of the community are objecting to this.

Surely, the scheme would bring life back into the community, enriching the lives of the villagers and the children.

I live in a conservation area in Sutton on Hull, and, yes, we have listed buildings. Yet a few years ago, a group of people in our community had the foresight to open a snooker club for the deprived youngsters in the surrounding area, and it is a resounding success.

So come on the people of Rosedale Abbey, get off your high horses, convince us outsiders this is not sheer class snobbery. Get involved, show true Yorkshire hospitality, and share your beautiful countryside.

Bin the 'slop bucket' and let's have caddies

From: Jonathan Straight, chief executive, Straight plc, Whitehall Riverside, Leeds.

I note with interest the article about householders getting slop buckets in a campaign against food waste (Yorkshire Post, February 16).

But the term "slop buckets" gives the wrong impression

We are making most of the so-called slop buckets now being used around the UK for the source-separated collection of food waste. Calling these products slop buckets does not present them in the best light as it gives an impression of liquid refuse, swill or something unappetising being collected. We prefer to call them caddies – we produce a kitchen caddy and a kerbside caddy.

It makes far more sense to use food waste to make compost and to generate electricity rather than leaving it to give off methane in a landfill site.

All councils we have supplied have found their schemes to be very successful and there have been very few issues. This is evidenced by the examples given from Hull and elsewhere.

Our products are proudly made in Yorkshire for the whole of the UK. So let's be positive about food waste collection – and leave out the slop.

From: Bob Crowther, High Street, Crigglestone, Wakefield.

ON reading about the intention of councils to provide "slop buckets" for unwanted and wasted food, it certainly describes our social make-up and mentality.

The amount of wasted foodstuffs is tantamount to criminal.

The blame cannot be laid wholly at the feet of the consumer as the large supermarkets can also be brought to book because of their sales gimmicks and promotions, the worst of these being the advertising of "buy one, get one free" and "three for the price of two".

This itself leads to waste as although they may be economic for families, they certainly are of no help to pensioners and couples.

This, coupled with the short shelf life of many of these products, leads to the excess food being discarded as not being fit to eat. It is high time that the appropriate Government departments examined this type of salesmanship.

Praise for the workers

From: Iain Morris, Caroline Street, Saltaire, West Yorkshire.

I WOULD point out to Miss Natalie Dickinson (Yorkshire Post, February 16) that if it wasn't for all the people who get up in the morning and

are prepared to work in a "dead-end job", this country would cease to function.

I have read that no matter how humble your job is, you should take an interest in it. I have also read that God loves all forms of work.

Miss Dickinson should be prepared and willing to learn an awful lot more once she leaves Leeds Metropolitan University.

Memories of Mrs Thatcher

From: W Ruddlesdin, Upper Hoyland Road, Hoyland, Barnsley.

WILLIAM Snowden's reference to Mrs Thatcher's accessories (Yorkshire Post, February 13) reminded me of her illustrious handbag. She certainly "handbagged" a few political opponents in her time.

Although she will be remembered for her phrase, "This lady is not for turning", she was ultimately turned over by her Cabinet colleagues.

Her friendship with President Ronald Reagan had maybe a Clark Gable/Vivienne Leigh scenario but with one flash of political lightning she was "gone with the wind".

The importance of conversation

From: Rosemary Nattriss, Common Lane, Church Fenton, Tadcaster.

WHAT a joy to read of the parents who have "deprived" their children of technology, thus making sure that the youngsters can talk to real people face-to-face (Yorkshire Post, February 18).

Too much emphasis is put on electronic communication and such like, and I am fearful that we are breeding a couple of generations of children who won't know how to talk except through a machine. How sad.

Let's have a campaign to bring civilised conversation back into prominence.

Road sense

From: Martin D Stern, Hanover Gardens, Salford.

DAVID Gray (Yorkshire Post, February 16) decries some of the bad habits of car drivers.

His dismal litany reminds me of the old joke: "What do you call a

driver who overtakes on the inside lane? – An undertaker!"