I WAS shocked to read the responses of Cecilia Law and ''Name and Address Supplied'', (South China Morning Post, August 2), to Benjamin Tang's letter (SCMP, July 27). I think they have missed the main point, which is the main reason why Mr Tang wrote in.
What he has pointed out, I believe, is the attitude held by many Chinese people in Hong Kong towards other Chinese people using English with one another instead of Cantonese or ''Chinese''.
This, I think, is also strange: why can't people use the language at their own choice? It doesn't really matter as long as the people communicating can understand each other. What harm or annoyance can this possibly do to all those who are merely strangers, who only happen to be around? Indeed, these people should not be listening to others' conversations.
It is very immature and childish for anyone to think that the Chinese, who speak in languages other than Chinese to other Chinese people, are only showing off their English skills.
Besides, I am shocked by Ms Law's attitude towards the English language as a whole. It seems to me that she blames the British and colonialism for forcing us, Hong Kong people, to learn and use English. Learning a language, any languages, I believe, can do only good and virtually no harm at all.
ANGELA HO Mid-Levels