Sir, – Further to Frank McNally's astute observation of the "universal rule of language courses whereby they teach you things you never have reason to say in real life" (An Irishman's Diary, August 19th), I feel I can improve on the absurdity of his example of being taught to explain in Latin how "by chance the drunken parrot destroys the house". Thanks to my Duolingo Dutch course, I can now, should the need arise on a visit to the Netherlands, explain to confused bystanders that "de schappen lezen de kranten", that is "the sheep read the newspapers". I am sure no offence was intended to readers of this publication. – Yours, etc,
CHRISTOPHER
McMAHON,
Castleknock,
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Dublin 15.