Tenses crop up in two ways in this issue, both inspired by readers' letters. The first referred to the use of the present perfect on both sides of the Atlantic, and DAVID CRYSTAL looks at that. The second is the puzzling ‘plupluperfect’, and VALERIE LAMBERT, BILL BROUGHTON and FRANK PALMER look at that.

In the fifth in our series on the literature(s) of English around the world, a teacher and examiner takes us back to basics with the most fundamental question of them all.

IAN WATSON's letter on a ‘new’ tense, in ET6 (April 86) has continued to inspire responses. We reproduce his letter once again, with PAUL CHRISTOPHERSEN'S history of what proves to be a very old tense.

In a world where non-native users now outnumber the native speakers of English, bilingualism is an increasingly important matter. Below, two ‘balanced bilinguals’ talk about what having two equal languages means in both their public and private lives.

Eighth in our series on the literature of English around the world: an account of the unique contribution of Ireland to literature in English.

Is bilingualism an asset or a liability, and how should families in linguistically complex situations handle it?

The imperial transplant of 1835 has taken root in the soil of the Indian subcontinent and flourishes today as an Indian language in its own right.

‘Foul language’ seems essential to some and gives great offence to others. SHIRLEY E PECKHAM asks for a campaign to do something about it, especially in the young, and DAVID CRYSTAL adds a commentary that takes a clinical look at this ancient human predilection.

Prompted by a variety of letters from readers about deterioration and falling language standards, TOM McARTHUR discusses purism and the standard language, past and present.

Seventh in our series on the literatures of English around the world: an outline of the growth of these literatures and of a critical response to them.

Sixth in our series on the literatures of English around the world: the cultural and linguistic predicament of writers of English in the Philippines.

Every occupation has its own expressions, not least the world of finance. EAN TAYLOR looks at some arcane items used in banks and building societies in England, and would welcome information about parallel usages elsewhere.

WHITNEY F BOLTON considers the extent to which words that are ‘usually’ nouns frequently function as verbs — and sometimes in rather unexpected ways.