Ominous vision

Christina Riggs writes: "It is still perfectly possible to gain an Egyptology degree without ever seeing an ancient object", (Books, August 19). This is hilarious - but ominous. I have visions of modern languages courses producing graduates who cannot read a foreign newspaper, watch a film without subtitles or ask for a cup of coffee. But perhaps it's already happening?

P. M. Wetherill
Manchester University