Sir, I am writing to express my dismay that George K. McMillan thinks the primary use of the term “dumb” in 2013 still refers to “without speech” (Wednesday’s Letters)
It is appalling Mr McMillan would think the term “dummy” is an acceptable description of a deaf person without speech
.Alana Trusty (of the Tayside Deaf Hub) is quite correct in saying that modern usage has rendered the word “dumb” to be almost exclusively used for low intelligence, stupidity or lack of knowledge.
Perhaps a clue is in Mr McMillan’s statement: “We were taught.” How long ago was that?
It is also disingenuous to suggest that because a word is defined in a certain way in the dictionary, then it is acceptable to use that word in the 21st century. My modern dictionary carries a seven-letter word beginning with the letter “N” to describe African-Americans. Inclusion in a dictionary definition does not give legitimacy to usingoutdated, prejudicial and archaic terms.
Mr McMillan does not need to accept my view and can do some market testing. He can discuss this with his former educational colleagues and see if such terms, including “dumb”, are acceptable in the classroom today.
Better still, he could visit a club for deaf people and ask a BSL interpreter to ask on his behalf: “How are the dummies today?” I would suggest he will be able to understand the answers without the need of BSL translation.
Ron Scrimgeour. 39 Gowan Rigg, Forfar.
Apology over bus meeting
Sir, I write in response to the letter by T. Culross (Letters, July 30). I was very disappointed to have missed the meeting I had arranged between residents and National Express.
Due to weather conditions my flight was delayed by three days. I made every effort to arrange for another of my colleagues to attend but the majority of them were either on holiday or had other diary commitments. The point of me arranging the meeting was to get residents and National Express together for a discussion about the change to services in the area following the opening of the new Asda supermarket.
I will contact National Express again to request a meeting and will ensure it is not scheduled for the day after I travel and someone is available to step in should there be any complications. I apologise to my constituents for the unnecessary inconvenience.
Alan Ross. Councillor for Lochee, Dundee.
A tale of two empires
Sir, May I correct the mistaken assumptions of Joseph Miller which appeared in Wednesday’s Courier.
The UK bequeathed to its former territories parliamentary democracy and the rule of law, which prevail today in many countries and which cement the relationship between the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
Scotland is not “ruled” by Westminster any more than England, Wales or Northern Ireland are “ruled”. Scotland has its representative members of parliament who, other than being controlled by party whips, are free to speak and vote as they deem appropriate.
He is mistaken on the subject of Russia, which still maintains a heavy naval presence in the Ukraine territory of Crimea and all attempts by the former Ukraine government headed by Yulia Tymoshenko to curtail this arrangement, were met by threats to “turn off the gas”.
To attempt to compare the actions of Russia, then and now, with those of the UK is simply risible.
Derek Farmer. Knightsward Farm, Anstruther.
Sad note to a scrappy tale
Sir, I found it rather sad that police appeals had been made in relation to the theft of plaques from a war memorial in Milnathort despite the fact an honest scrap metal dealer in Methil had handed them over to the police.
This was an excellent piece of work by the dealer in question and, likewise, I consider it a very generous act by Simon Howie in relation to a reward being made available upon conviction of the persons responsible. No doubt the phrase “lessons have been learned” will now appear.
John McDonald. 14 Rosebery Court, Kirkcaldy.
An ongoing train of thought
Sir, It is good to see the old tradition of clergymen being interested in railways is still upheld, as is shown in Wednesday’s letter by Dr John Cameron!
Robin Sturrock. 7 Rose Street, Arbroath.