6 JUNE 1981, Page 20

Neologism

Sir: What is the thinking behind your, or Tim Garton Ash's, neologism 'Deutschemarks' (23 May)? One would understand 'German marks', `deutschmarks', or 'Deutsche Mark'. But the `e' in the middle of your single word is neither English nor German: if it were, you'd have to change 'Deutschland' into `Deutschesland'.

Hans Keller

3 Frognal Gardens,

London NW3