A chara, - I welcome the letter from Éamon Ó Cuív, TD, Minister for Community and Gaeltacht Affairs (October 6th), concerning the many corrupt Irish versions of placenames on signposts throughout the country, and his intended corrective action.
For too long have we tolerated this public and unashamed display of illiteracy.
However, not only do these names have a correct form and spelling, but they also have a correct pronunciation, both in the original Irish, and also in the anglicised forms.
Reporting on the recent damage done to Pollatomish, Co Mayo, by the mountain slide from Dooncarton above it, an RTÉ reporter gave the first element of this name as "Pool". In the understandable event of never having heard of this place, should not a professional person enquire?
This was not an isolated case, as many of your readers can testify.
Will the new director-general of RTÉ take corrective action in this matter? - Is mise,
FLANN Ó RIAIN, Ardan Eatharlach, Co Thiobraid Arann.
Madam, - One can only behold with awe and wonder the letter from Mr Éamon Ó Cuív (6th October). No doubt he and his fellow zealots for the Irish language look forward to the day when every sign, every document issued by the Government (and every other body), every newspaper, magazine and indeed letter to the Editor will proudly carry a version in "the first official".
The fact that only a tiny minority will read this version and an even tinier minority actually speaks the language is neither here nor there, a mere trifle. In this country, after all, appearance is far more important than reality. - Yours, etc.,
DAVID HERMAN, Meadow Grove, Dublin 16.