syntax to use near read with MYSQL

[lostinsql]

I am no programmer, my skill level is about half a point above 0. I have a website built in PHP, MYSQL(5) and Apache. I use the PHPMYAdmin to run very simple queries on my client database. One of the data columns in my messages table is called "read" witch contains 'yes' or 'no' data. When I try to do a query across multiple tables it wont return 'yes' or 'no' values from 'messages.read' and asked me for the right Syntax to use with 'read' but I cant find what this is. I think is caused because "read" is an identifier in MYSQL so you have to put some type of syntax in front so it treats in as a data column. I have probably used the wrong termination to describe my issue so I hope you can work out what I'm after.

[NogDog]

You can force any word to be interpreted as a table/column identifier by using "back-ticks" to quote it:

SELECT `column_name` FROM `table_name`

[lostinsql]

Excellent, it worked, your a good dog mr NogDog, spot on. That saves me about two months of sorting through SQL code that I cant understand. Much appreciated.