The BBC is in another spot of bother over place names. Having successfully bamboozled the British media into following its refusal to use Bombay in any respect it is now in a muddle over a Swiss town. Is it Basle or Basel? On the Today programme, Robert Peston insisted on saying Basel, with emphasised diction into the bargain. "Whatever happened to Basle?", said John Humphrys, seemingly envisaging defeat in this contest.
We used to say Basle as a country. Then Basel came up on the rails as a loose runner of sorts. Is it French or is it German? Does it matter? I think it does for the BBC. They are the arbiters of placenames. Firenze isn't on their list yet, but should the European Commission decree it is you can bet your bottom lira that the BBC will be first to defend Firenze. As for the other countries? Well, it will be Londres et al as usual.
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