Power of language

EDITOR: The coincidental juxtaposition of Tuesday's review of the Sonoma County Elementary Spelling Bee and columnist Chris Smith's confession that he was "aghast" that he used the word "toehead" to describe two "towheads" illustrates the power, complexity and richness of language.

In this age of texting, downloading and general dependence on electronic devices, the beauty of words and the challenges of the English language have been relegated to a back burner.

Monday night's spelling bee showcased the incredibly talented and hardworking children who competed first at school sites, then at one of four regional bees and finally at our Sonoma County Spelling Bee.

Please join us in applauding these children, as well as the junior high students who competed the following evening, for the courage to stand alone at a podium, listen to words given to them orally by the spellmaster and then spelling words out loud in front of an audience of peers, parents, friends and teachers.

The future of the English language is in good hands.

PATRICIA EHRMANN

and LESLIE HOWELL

Sonoma County spellmasters

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