THERE are published medical research papers citing cases of trauma or stroke where the patient is resuscitated and has taken on a foreign accent, and cases where a different language is even demonstrated with no history of having past learning. Brain research suggests that a discrete area of the organ is worthy of further study.

I have a friend who, whenever he sings an American blues song, or even any pop song, reverts to a deep south cotton-pickin' levy accent. He lives in Govan. Does he have, like the previously mentioned cases, brain damage?

Peter Barjonas,

4 Parkview Terrace, Latheronwheel, Latheron, Caithness