Dear Rogers Rabbits, I usually regard your editorial as the best part of The Weekend Sun but June 13's was quite confusing. Was it just facetious or impatience with the use of various ‘thingies' (symbols) in a number of languages? Surely not the latter?

These symbols help in pronunciation of words in some languages. In supermarkets, you find items from France and other places with a variety of symbols to denote pronunciation. If you learn Chinese symbols help learners avoid funny or insulting mistakes.

Macrons in Maori language indicate a long vowel sound. Modern computers and printing can handle them. My computer is too old or I'd add them.

It won't be added expense to taxpayers but without macrons more paper is needed to
print long vowels. Be careful with being facetious - it can spark off a lot of trouble.

N Hobcroft, Tauranga City.