Grass no’ greener

It’s a pity that Joan Mitchell (Letters, 24 October) detects a conflict of interest between Border Scots and Gaelic at a time when all forms of local speech are under relentless pressure from the dominant Anglo-American.

Here’s just one example: while working at the chalk face, I noticed that the traditional word for “sneak” (“clype”) was being ousted by the television-based term “grass”. In order to survive – let alone flourish – minority languages and dialects must be encouraged and treated with respect when used in public. That’s why it’s a pleasure to learn Gaelic with BBC Alba – and to hear the radio news in the Northern Isles well read in the native tongue.

Div oo hev tae choose? Whit’s wrang wi’ the baith o’ them?

John Coutts

Ladysneuk Road

Stirling