Letters from expats

To me the "Your Letters" column is not only interesting but instructive as well. This means that features of knowledge and information can be reaped and are beneficial to enriching our minds and outlook. Were it not for the interesting "Your Letters" column, I could have easily switched and subscribed to any other local English newspapers for a change.

Expatriates who like reading glimpses of characteristic Indonesian problems may welcome the recent conspicuous trend of publishing translated versions of letters derived from Indonesian newspapers. The column of The Jakarta Post of Sept. 25, 1995, for instance, published seven such letters. No single letter from an expat was found.

Of course, we must appreciate any course taken by the editorial staff. But since the possessive pronoun "Your" in "Your Letters" implies that the letters come from the readers of the Post, I think that letters from expatriate readers should still be welcomed as a treat, especially for Senior High School students learning English composition.

The purpose of my comment here is only to convey appreciation, for I mostly enjoy reading letters from expatriates who express their upright views and comments on various aspects of social problems according to their perception. What's more, often characteristic idiomatic expressions are found in their writing, which are not apt for literal translation. Language can be translated, but things like euphony and idioms are not for translation. They must only be learned by heart.

Further, what is most interesting to me is exemplified by the letter of a Mr. William Corr of Osaka, Japan (the Post, Sept. 10, 1995) who wrote a short comment on foreign land lease, drawing lessons from Ireland's land law and practice.

Those letters from expats commenting on traffic and pollution problems are also instructive. As regards to idiomatic expressions found in their writings, these definitely provide a source of learning advanced English composition. Sometimes, the way of thinking or the frame of mind adhered to by expatriate writers are reflected in their letters.

I hope that the expats who have the ability to contribute invaluable views through their letters to this column will not be taken aback or constrained by perhaps the occasional conflicts or by the editing policy, as once commented upon by some readers, causing them to discontinue writing to this column. This would be a loss to Indonesian youngsters who are keen on learning ways of expression in English in the frame of international exchange of views.

With this letter I wish to appeal to our friends among the expatriate community to continue with their meaningful contribution to this enlightening readers' forum, without bothering too much about the editing policy or practice, which is only a matter of discretion or a right on the part of the editors.

Name and address

known to editor