4 JUNE 1977, Page 17

Sounds odd

Sir: Richard West (14 May) is quite correct in saying that English names may sometimes sound odd to foreign ears. But the reverse is also true: My wife — a reticent and reserved Scotswoman — broke into helpless giggles when I introduced to her a Czech friend by the name of Jellinek.

(Dr) F. Piers P.O. Box 14264, Nairobi