Language and culture

The Editor, Sir:

By all means be proud of your country and culture, but it is sad that some persons diminish the importance of education in internationally recognised lan-guages, the most widely used of which is English.

I suspect that these persons have already ensured that their children have excelled in English sufficiently to compete in the world. Those who have little else but pride, and rely on the view that they have their own language, are likely to enjoy only limited growth if any at all.

To those who want to excuse their lack of ability in English, please note that your advocates are not using Jamaican patois to make the case. It's up to you. As for my children, they will be good at English and do well in the world.

I am, etc.,

MARK BOWEN

mbowen@ieccu.com