When love comes in and takes you for a spin, Oo la la la, c'est magnifique.

Some so-called survey of language experts has said that the most romantic word in the world for love is the French amour.

One can't help but notice that all of the languages favoured in the survey are European, while the one disfavoured is Asian.

Now, dear gentle and patient reader, for crying out bl%dy loud, what kind of rabid Euorcentric crapola is this? It demonstrates that the spirit of the old colonial days is alive and well.

There are over 7000 languages in the world. Are these so-called experts on intimate terms with all of them?

This in fact is claim that no self respecting linguist would make. On what basis can you possible make the claim? It highlights of course to the critical thinker the different between opinion and fact.

I am a sociolinguist and understand, I hope the relativity of this sort of question. Having lived in the Philippines, I think, when it comes to love, words like pagibig and pagmamahal have a lot going for them.

But of course such words would not have registered on the so-called language experts radar screens.

No indeed, love can be said in many languages, and in each language for its speaker, it becomes the most romantic word for love in the world.

I'll stick with Bill and agree that "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet".