Letters: Blissful ignorance

Letters:

Blissful ignorance

Sir: Lynne Butt's claim that "A second language will make you a first- class candidate for the position you want" is dead wrong ("Voulez-vous get a job?", 1 July).

Most British managers want to do business in the only language they speak. Most foreign managers speak English and are happy to oblige. British managers lose both face and control if their subordinates speak to customers and suppliers in their own languages.

I have long since learnt to play down during job interviews the fact that I speak five languages because it so obviously makes interviewers uncomfortable.

Dr JOHN D CLARK

King's Lynn, Norfolk