R E Dove (HAS, Dec 13) seems confused over what constitutes a syllable.

The sounds y – e – s which he calls syllables are in fact phonemes.

Phonemes may be used in combination to form syllables, which are similar to beats in music.

He is mistaken, too, about the word “yeah”.

This is, in fact, only one syllable.

Also, far from being of recent origin, it has a long and respectable history and was a standard word in use during the 16th Century and probably even before that.

Jeff Sutton, Bishop Auckland.

RE the correspondence from R E Dove and the use of the word “yeah”, I can nominate a word which is even more abused, namely “absolutely” which is illused on television every day.

Presenters, interviewers, interviewees, anyone and everyone, fall over themselves to cram in as many as they possibly can, and, in my opinion, always in the wrong context.

John Smith, Shildon.