Sir, – Congratulations to Dáithí Mac Cárthaigh on his letter deploring the decline of grammar, especially among professional journalists. (Letters, July 7th). Poor grammar among our national broadcasters is bad enough but the slavish use of hideous American clichés is just as deplorable.
One prominent broadcaster recently referred on radio to the Government “beating up on the Greeks” where “criticising the Greeks” would have explained the concept perfectly. Another broadcaster insists on pronouncing “been” as “bin” while the past participle of the verb get (got) is now “gotten”.
It is surely a sad state of affairs when the leader in The Irish Times recently used the term "begs the question" when "raises the question" was obviously intended. Speculation is no longer "raised" but "fuelled" and "predict" has become "second guess".
I thoroughly agree with Mr Mac Cárthaigh when he suggests the restoration of grammar to the English curriculum but hey! how will this play out going forward? – Yours, etc,
DECLAN COLLINGE
Templeogue,
Dublin 6W.
Sir, – Does “I would not of went there” trump Dáithí Mac Cárthaigh’s example (Letters, July 7th) of modern Hiberno-English vernacular to further set his nerves on edge?
– Yours, etc,
MICHELE SAVAGE,
Glendale Park,
Dublin 12.