The Editor, Sir:

So it has come to this. The chief executive of the country has to put an exclamation point on this debate. At times, the debate has been quite amusing and sometimes downright intense.

I dare say that we have learned a great deal about ourselves, our passions and just how much we value the heritage that we cling to, whether we live in Saudi Arabia, Kampala, Paris, Annotto Bay, Montego bay, or any of the hundreds of locales that Jamaicans call home.

The bottom line is: if this organi-sation wants to translate the Bible into Patois, let them. They have now gauged the public's interest, and now know if they will make money from such an effort. The market will have the final say.

In the end, this might be just another ill-fated effort to capitalise on our propensity to be parochial in our views, much like the 'Ebonics' attempt in the United States in the early '80s. That effort was doomed from the start, and like this one, everyone had an opinion.

The prime minister, surely, has better things to do, and the only statement he needs to make is that the government will not earmark one red cent towards the costs of this endeavour.

I am, etc.,

SEYMOUR TAYLOR

staylor@sandc.com

Illinois,US

Via Go-Jamaica