VISITORS MUST MAKE THEMSELVES UNDERSTOOD

Ruth Forman’s letter (May 1), in commenting on Patt Morrison’s “Easier Said Than Done” column (Three on the Town, April 3), took issue with the idea that the foreign-born should bear the main responsibility for communicating with us.

Anyone going to any other country is mainly responsible for making themselves understood. That applies not only to foreigners who come to the United States but also to Americans who go somewhere else. And all of us owe patience and courtesy to everyone else and should help as much as possible with attempts to communicate.

Just because Forman is a communications specialist does not give her the authority to spell out the responsibilities of the rest of us.

I have learned other languages by living in other countries. It is visitors who have the primary obligation of making themselves understood.

WILLIAM B. PINKERTON

Pico Rivera