Chili reply

As Mr. Ronci has requested an explanation as to what "original language" means in the context television broadcasting, I feel obliged to provide one. Unfortunately I am not an expert in television terminology, nevertheless, for the sake of Mr. Ronci, I will make an attempt.

Irrespective of what is being shown on the screen, be it Portuguese playing soccer or Javanese playing gamelan, it is common practice for those making the pictures to also add the sound. I therefore interpret this to mean that the original language of any transmission is the language applied by the filmmakers themselves. This implies no dubbing, distorting or any other form of tampering with the original version. Seems a logical theory -- to me at least.

Therefore, in the case of Euro 96 (not 66 -- which was the last time England won anything. Could this be an omen?) since the pictures are transmitted via British television stations, the language, amazing as it may seem, is English (albeit with a slight northern accent). Don't blame me, I didn't make a deal!

And finally, as you correctly mentioned Mr. Ronci, everybody is free to stick their chili where they like. Would you like some suggestions?

MARK HAYTON

Bandung, West Java