Mailbox
A week has passed and we're back again to read from your letters and emails that never cease coming - for which we are, of course, grateful. The first one is from Elizabeth M. from Canada. She's reacting to one of our broadcasts.
"I read just today your article about Martina Balogova. I read in BBC news about the racism "in Czech Pop Idol", and got interested in finding out more about Martina and the other contestants. I believe talents such as Martina Balogova should be treasured by any country. I met a lot of Czech people over the years, my ex-husband is Czech, and my two beautiful stepdaughters as well are Czech. I am a very proud Canadian who believes in human rights. A country as beautiful and rich as yours should help talents such as Martina. After all you are one of the EU nations. I am curious what will happen with Martina in the near future. I certainly consider buying her records if they will be out in Europe or America."
Radio Prague reported several times on "Cesko hleda Superstar" or the Czech version of Pop Idol. Although it wasn't Martina who won it in the end, but 17-year old Aneta Langerova, Martina is doing well. On Monday, she's going to sing at a big concert along with the other divas of Czech pop-music. The show will take place at Karlstejn Castle near Prague and it's called "The Queens of Czech Pop". There are billboards all around the country. Recently Martina Balogova recorded a duet with the greatest Czech pop-star of all time, Karel Gott, called "Svet je proste nekonecna plaz" - "The World is Just a Neverending Beach".
Let's now get to two letters from our listeners that address the same topic. The first one came from Mr Leonard Fonyuy from Cameroon.
"I have a problem with Czech names. Radio Prague journalists should endeavour to say their names slowly and audibly enough for non-Czech-speaking listeners to, at least, hear how they sound correctly. If I did not spell the names correctly in my reception report, please bear with me. Could I be sent something, say a brochure, that contains the names of your journalists?"
"I have one suggestion: when Czech names are given over the air could they be spelt out as it would be good to make a note of these names with correct spelling."
We are aware at Radio Prague that Czech names, including those of our reporters, must be sometimes difficult to understand on the air, especially if reception is not too good. The clarity and audibility of Czech personal and local names is a problem we'll be giving some serious thought. Thank you for pointing that out to us. We'd like to know your comments, they help us improve our programmes.
Mr Hogan from Australia had another question which is related to the previous one:
"Hello to the good person who answers my mail. Could your name be spelt out? It was mentioned recently on air but a spelling would be appreciated."
The person responsible for verifying your reception reports and sending out Radio Prague programme schedules to our English-speaking listeners is the English Section's assistant Jana Babiczova, that's J-a-n-a B-a-b-i-c-z-o-v-a. And it will be Jana who'll send a CD to the winner of Radio Prague's September music quiz.
Our question is:
"What is the connection between the word pistol, (as in handgun) and Czech music?"
Let me repeat it once again: "What is the connection between the word pistol and Czech music?"
Although it may sound strange, there is one and any good dictionary will help you, I'm sure.
Please, send your answers to us by the end of September to the usual address, Radio Prague, English Section, 12099 Prague, Czech Republic, or much quicker by e-mail at [email protected]. Anyone has a chance to win.
