Posh talk
From Mr Robert Ponsonby Sir: John Parry's piece about' spoken English on radio and television (Arts, 25 September) should be compulsory reading for all producers, controllers and directors- general: the broadcasters are distorting our language deplorably. But it is odd that Mr Parry does not refer to the BBC's World Service.
Bush House could propagate good spo- ken English internationally but it chooses — in the name of 'cultural diversity' — to employ presenters and newsreaders with foreign accents. And many World Service voices have abandoned the measured clari- ty which used to be Bush House's hallmark. When these sing-song voices have to com- pete with the anaemic, synthetic jingles that now characterise the World Service ('Lil- libullero' having been abandoned) it is not surprising that comprehensibility is serious- ly diminished.
Let us all hope that Greg Dyke will put spoken English, clear and cool and natural, high on his agenda.
Robert Ponsonby Flat 4, 11 St Cuthbert's Road, London NW2
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