Letters

A pleasure to read 

It’s always a pleasure to receive CAM but, noting that the wrapper is 30 per cent-plus recycled film, I wonder if you would be able to move to a starch-based or other domestic compostable wrapper? You might well ask why a chap who chooses to write this also opts for hard copy rather than electronic, and the answer is clear: in hard copy, I and others can browse the magazine at leisure and often share articles with other people. However, if it came in electronically, I would probably never bother to read it. It is an item of pleasure to browse in a quiet moment, whereas 50 hours or so of work on a screen for work every week means that I long to escape the screen for pleasure! 

- Sheridan Swallow (Magdalene, 1968)

Varsity once described Queens’ as a College full of apostrophe pedants, so to quote the famous chant, it should read: “Q U Double E, N S Apostrophe”. In fact, after Margaret of Anjou and Elizabeth Woodville, the next four queens were also described in their lifetimes as “foundress and patroness” of the College – Anne Neville (Richard III), Elizabeth of York (Henry VII), Lady Margaret Beaufort (mother of Henry VII, acting queen) and Katherine of Aragon (Henry VIII) – so it could be argued that the apostrophe represents all six.

- Jonathan Holmes (Queens' 1967)

Editor’s note: CAM is checked by humans, computers and, most embarrassingly in this case, me. Suffice it to say, it won’t happen again.

Cambridge is one of the few top institutions in Europe (probably in the whole world outside the Americas) where applicants are not required to speak a foreign language. What would a Cambridge-led programme look like which aimed to deliver Professor Forsdick’s vision for the country as a whole? Might all Cambridge applicants (not just foreigners and candidates from ethnically diverse backgrounds, as at present) be required to demonstrate the ability to converse in a second language?

- Andrew Noble (Caius 1979) 

Other Varsities available

I was nonplussed by the emphasis on the Boat Race (Campendium, CAM 105), with no other Varsity matches even mentioned. How about a page giving the results of all Varsity matches since the last CAM?

- James Tolson (Queens’ 1960)

Editor’s note: Funny you should say that... Keep a look out for CAM 107!

Know your Queens'

It is disappointing that you managed (twice) to put the apostrophe in the wrong place when referring to Queens’ (Society, CAM 105). It’s frustrating that some people do not realise the College was founded or refounded in the 15th century by two queens, Margaret of Anjou and Elizabeth Woodville, hence the orthography. I am surprised to find you among them! 

- David Reid (Queens’ 1961)

Language learning

I heartily agree with most of what Professor Forsdick says (Translating cultures, CAM 105). Where I disagree is in his apparent advocacy of starting actual language learning at secondary level. Children have immense natural language learning capacity during their first seven years, after which it lessens. The logic of this must be to teach foreign languages in primary school, laying a foundation of real language knowledge that can be built upon further.

- Roger Bartlett (Caius 1958)

At your service 

Your article on the armed services at Cambridge (At your service, CAM 105) omitted one of the most significant dimensions of the subject – the way in which the Centre of International Studies provided, from 1975 onwards, a way for talented young officers in all three services to study for the MPhil degree in International Relations. The MPhil had been set up partly by the Duke of Edinburgh, who was convinced of the need for better military education. Over the years it has had an important influence on the opening of the military mind,

- Christopher Hill

(Sir Patrick Sheehy Professor of International Relations 2004-2016)

Obscene and not heard

With reference to Miles Baillie’s letter (CAM 105), regarding the ‘obscene’ word. That’s exactly what it was, and while in exceptional circumstances it may ‘have its place’, it certainly wasn’t in such an article. Its inclusion shows a lack of editorial discretion. Please, no such usage again, even for the “intellectually robust”.

- Peter Chalmers (St Catharine’s 1978)

I have no problem with Miriam Margolyes’ use of language. Some years ago, in frustration at having to update yet another password on one of the company systems, I used the same obscenity. I found it amused me to swear when logging on to enter my weekly timesheet, and I adopted expletives for many passwords.

- Robert Jackson (Fitzwilliam 1970)

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