I write to you with regard to the headlined article, 'Afghan Army aided by Cornish captain', that appeared in the Cornish Times dated December 11 2009.

Your abbreviation, which alternates between Cpt and CPT, of the British Army rank of Captain is incorrect and is an American Army abbreviation.

The correct abbreviation is Capt – a little research would have resulted in the correct form being used.

I deplore the adoption of and the insidious invasion of Americanisms into the English language, and hope that these can be avoided in any future editions of your newspaper.

I appreciate that language is constantly changing and developing, but I feel that there are certain things that must be resisted and avoided, and the language we know be preserved, if possible.

O MOORE

Looe