SIR – With regard to the two letters (T&A, June 16) about English language tests for immigrants.

The only problem is that many of the indigenous population can hardly speak the Queen’s English.

Try explaining that ‘I don’t know nothing’ translated correctly means ‘I do know something’. ‘Them were the days’, instead of ‘those’. And as for slang, the dreadful ‘gobsmacked’, rather than stunned, or amazed, ‘rubbishing’ instead of denigrating.

Once upon a time people were more important than property. Injury, not damage, lazy speech and lazy writing.

G Steff, Wharncliffe Road, Shipley