27 AUGUST 1932, Page 14

PRONUNCIATION OF LATIN [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—Some

readers of the Spectator must regret that you favour what may be termed the reactionary view with regard to Greek and Latin pronunciation. Mr. Servante is mistaken in thinking that those who wish for a nearer approach to Scotch, Irish and Continental usage dogmatize as to ancient pronunci- ation or that they favour pedantic changes in familiar names and phrases embodied in our language. The Latins had an

• St. Luke, :sill, 16. t Acts, a, 38. S " and it is therefore an arbitrary want of method to substitute that sound for their C (K).

As Latin classics are now frequently printed without the letters j and v it is more natural for the learner to pronounce such words as iam and /du as they are spelt. What is really needed is a Language Locarno where accredited teachers from all nations might settle a common pronunciation of Greek and Latin, thus forging another useful link between their peoples. —I an', Sir, &c., 65 Birdhurst Rise, Croydon.

ROST. P. ASHE.