Elocution lessons: My Fair Lady
Speak proper
SIR: I found the debate about Oracy (Radio, August issue) very interesting. In my adult life I have been forever grateful that, despite my south London, working- class upbringing, my mother insisted that both my sisters and I ‘spoke properly’. No dropped aitches, tees or sloppy pronunciations. We learned the correct words for things and how to say and spell them. This has proved
invaluable when dealing with officialdom, call centres and other ‘difficult’ individuals. To have good speech and enunciation is to have power. Bring it back, Keir!
Judith Bretherton, West Wickham, Paisley
