Thin voice
Sir: It is well that Myles Hams CA thinner voice', 19 November) brings the BBC World Service under review. More and more does it seem to serve its own arty Celtic Fringe than give a service to the world. British Broadcasting funds, for inst- ance, are spent on some colloquial drivel of a never-ending and too frequently repea- ted soap-opera Citizens. Who decides that those Glaswegian, Glamorgan and Scouse vowels are accepted and understood by listeners overseas? The BBC admits much of this audience does not have English as its first or second language, yet nine out of ten words are fast mumbled and garbled. What would be the purpose of this silly programme? Why not use the familiar and correct form of English anyway or is this perhaps the year to Help the Celt? And why broadcast Multi-Tracks One, Two and Three of very dated pop-music at prime listening times?
The BBC World Service is not a regional Light Programme for the adolescent; it should be regarded more seriously and responsibly by its programmers if their salaries and listeners' attention are to be retained. For a long time the World Service has had an adult reputation that is the envy of all broadcasting nations for its impartiality and truth. Let us not now tinker with the traditional framework that demands no change and has stood well the test of time. Sam Hare
31 Balmoral Park #18-33, Singapore 1025
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