How mispronunciations seep into spelling

SIR – If we persist in mispronouncing words (Letters, June 14) then misspelling them becomes inevitable. Wednesday evening’s Channel 4 news carried a graphic reading Vunerable.

We should reconise that gradjuly other words will follow. Particuly at risk are the Artic, Antartic and Alantic oceans. Edward Baker

Tunbridge Wells, Kent

SIR – Margaret Clarke (Letters, June 13) picks up on the mispronunciation of the word nuclear.

There are plenty of other examples: secketerry or seckretree instead of secretary; drawring instead of drawing; and renumeration rather than remuneration.

Then the old chestnut: aitch pronounced as haitch. Trevor Anderson

Wadhurst, East Sussex

SIR – BBC local newsreaders have been known to refer to burgalries instead of burglaries – and, among the wider population, I frequently hear chimley for chimney. Joanna Whatley

Charing, Kent SIR – Could one of your more learned readers please provide the correct pronunciation for the words contribute and distribute? Brian Christley

Abergele, Conwy SIR – What about mischievious? Rev Marty Presdee Lampeter, Cardiganshire SIR – Pry Minister. John Harvey Haslemere, Surrey

SIR – Why are chiropodists called shiropodists? Alan Sabatini

Bournemouth, Dorset

SIR – For the umpteenth time: it is sixth not sikth. Bruce Chalmers

Goring-by-sea, West Sussex

SIR – A friend of mine went to Magdalen College, Oxford, but doggedly insists that he went to Maudlin.

Aargh! Professor James Tooley

Newcastle University