Language barrier

THERE seems to be a revival on the Letters page of the endless correspondence about whether Scots is a language or a dialect, with the strong implication that it is perverse to speak or promote in Scotland any language but English. The same attitude is displayed towards the erection of Gaelic street signs, even though they are of interest to visitors from furth of Scotland.

My guess is that a large majority of the world would be unable to conduct their everyday lives without some knowledge of two or more languages. Why then should monolingual English-speakers boast of their own meagre linguistic horizons?

ROBIN MacCORMICK

Dalkeith Road

Edinburgh