Respect minority languages

The views expressed by Christie Davies are offensive in the extreme.

Any spread of the Welsh language that is likely to be "pushed for" is only reinstating the language in areas where it was spoken before the English attempted to eradicate it. The Welsh "not" was a piece of wood hung around the neck of children who were heard speaking their mother tongue in the school playground. Thank goodness that that is now unthinkable.

The cultural supremacism expressed by Davies - which finds it acceptable, even preferable, to have the Swedish, Dutch and Germans all learning in English - shows a basic disregard for all cultures other than the English and/or the English-speaking.

For societies to be tolerant and multicultural, the richness of all aspects of other cultures should be appreciated.

If - through the introduction of dual-language institutions - minority languages can be nurtured, this must be a cause for rejoicing, not an excuse for cynical speculation about jobs for the boys and girls.

Angharad Thomas (Currently learning Welsh) University of Salford