Arrogant attitude has no place in real world

One could not blame Hong Kong people for turning against English when faced with the letters of some of your readers. I refer, in particular, to the letter by 'Name And Address Supplied', headlined, 'Grave mistake to discard English' (South China Morning Post, February 23).

The writer complains that he is unable to read some advertisements which are only in Chinese and defends his right not to learn Chinese, despite having lived here many years, on the grounds that some Chinese living in English-speaking countries cannot speak English.

This is clearly absurd. One cannot justify one's own linguistic illiteracy by pointing at others guilty of the same error. And in any case, there are many more overseas Chinese who are able to speak the local language than there are foreigners who can speak or read Chinese in Hong Kong.

Of course, no one has to learn the language of the country in which they live. That is their prerogative. But then they should not complain they do not understand what is going on around them.

Why shouldn't advertisers use only Chinese in certain instances? They know whom they wish to target.

To insist that everything should be in English for the convenience of a non-assimilated minority is arrogant and ultimately one reason why colonialism was not successful.