Letter: A nation of voyeurs

Sir: As Jeff Meddle (letter, 26 August) suggests ecouter for a listener to sex, might Fiona Pitt-Kethley then be an ecouteuse? Or indeed, an entendeuse, to parallel the French use of voir, rather than regarder for the visual form of the activity.

I have been wary of this whole issue since, during a diplomatic service French course, I began a talk about British television by mentioning the millions of contented voyeurs who were educated and entertained every evening. Before gently suggesting spectateurs, our assistante raised her eyebrows and said quietly: 'Mon Dieu] In England you 'ave so many of zem?'

Yours faithfully,

MICK PLAYLE

London, SE25

26 August