Valueofgrammar

I refer to Ellis Thorpe’s letter of 17 December in response to my letter of 16 December, where he accuses me of being critical of the communication skills of children.

When I was at school, when dinosaurs roamed the earth, we had as part of English lessons a test of “interpretation”, where pupils had to answer questions on the meaning of a text or passage in terms of what the author was trying to convey, as well as explaining the context in which words and phrases had been used.

At no point in my letter did I use the word “communication”, nor did I allude to it in any way. Mr Thorpe, I’m afraid, would have got an F gradeforinterpretationinthis instance but could take comfort in the fact that by today’s standards that would probably rate a pass.

Mr Thorpe refers to my Victorian values. It was during the Victorian era right up to its decline over the past few decades that Scottish education was hailed as probably the best in the world.

Mr Thorpe will be aware, I trust, of the massive contributions made by Scots to the world in science, technology, medicine and the arts during the 19th century and early 20th century.

I fear for the future of these areas of expertise in Scotland as scrutiny of graduation lists of the major Scottish universities reveals an overwhelming majority of fee-paying graduates from counties such as India, China, Japan and Africa whose futures are being invested in at the expense of our children whilst the myth of free university education for Scottish students continues to be perpetuated.

Whilst there were many aspects of the Victorian era no one would want to re-visit, there were also very many aspects from which society would benefit today.

DONALD LEWIS Beech Hill, Gifford, East Lothian Not only is Ellis Thorpe being disingenuous in accusing Donald Lewis of saying effective communication cannot take place without a “Victorian” knowledge of grammar, but he is also unwise in implying that grammatical knowledge is not necessary at all.

Donald Lewis’s remarks are, in my view, entirely appropriate, especially when applied to formal professional communications. Also apposite are his remarks about (some) school teachers, journalists and authors (and television presenters) who should know better.

Regarding teenagers and their self-taught “creations”, most would be highly embarrassed if they heard an adult using their trendy phrases in general conversation.

ROBERT BOWERS Glassel Park Road, Edinburgh