""The world of the arts also has "artist" and "artiste".""

That's a case of misuse in both directions.

Originally, an "artist" is a person who puts paint on canvas, or produces works of art such as miniatures.

An "artiste" is a performer in art forms such as music, or theatre.

"Artiste" is not the feminine form of artist, nor are they interchangeable.

The one that currently has me hurling abuse at the telly is "incidences", when the speaker means "incidents".

As English Language and Literature were my main subjects both in grammar school and college, I have an affection for the correct use of both grammar and pronunciation.

The way the language is being dumbed down, with hardly a sign of opposition from educators, infuriates me.

Don T.