[Assam] Sankaradeva vs Xongkordew

Fri, 15 Sep 2006 18:38:18 -0700

>I had prefaced my argument with "devil's advocate' and my feelings on this are:
 
>Is writing out "Sankaradeva" not appropriate because
>(a) We know better now - it should be Xonkordeva
>(b) Because it is Sankritized (and we want nothing to do with that)
>(c) Its an identity crises
 
Ram:
I don't know whether you had relaised your position while adocating this way.  Sincerely, with this type of devil's advocacy, you are simply trying to prove that either you are clueless about the Assamese langauge as well as the English language. The way you are advocating for the Sanskrit spelling 'Sankaradeva' against Assamese spelling 'Xongkordew', is same as advocating for (say) the spelling 'Pankaradeba' in place of 'Xongordew'  I don't see any difference, and I too can put forward my devil's advocacy for the spelling 'Pankaradeba'  or any other 'bhusung pohu' spelling thus:
 
Is 'Pankaradeba' writing not appropriate because
(a) We know better - it should be Xongkordew?.
(b) Because it sounds foreign, and you donot want anything foreign (Osin kathor thwrakw nologaba)?.
(c) Its an identity crisis?
 
With this type of advocacy, you will qualify yourself to go back to the basics of alphabet in Assamese and English.
Rajen Barua
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, September 15, 2006 11:58 AM
Subject: Re: [Assam] Book on life,ideals of Sankaradeva released(The Assam Tribune, 1...

C'da,

I thought I would go to some other topic butthought I too should get a chance to beat this dead horse - one last time.
 
>*** You have been unable to explain WHY Xonkordev should be >Sankaradeva.
 
I am surprised, C'da - you are assuming that "I" think it should be Sankardeva?
I had prefaced my argument with "devil's advocate' and my feelings on this are:
 
Is writing out "Sankaradeva" not appropriate because
(a) We know better now - it should be Xonkordeva
(b) Because it is Sankritized (and we want nothing to do with that)
(c) Its an identity crises
 
Just wanted to make sure we want it to be Xonkordev because that is how the Assamese prononce it - thats it - the best reason. Nothing else matters.
Why bring in stuff like identity, Sankritized, Hindi influence, or even the logical abilities of past literary people?
 
>*** Like Rajen explained very well, Oxomiya language does not >need Xongskrit or Hindi or Bengali approval to stand on its own
 
And did "I" claim it did? Not even hinted at that. Words in my mouth again.
 
>*** Oxomiyas need to know who they are what they call >THEMSELVES, first
 
True, and this you want to accomplish by transliterating in English? How big is that Oxomiya audience that seeks the English language to find out how to pronounce words in THEIR own language.
 
Whats wrong with the picture here? Am I missing something, or are you guys just catering to a select few?
I say, go for it.
 
>Bengalis, Hindiwallas etc. are free to pronounce it or write it the >way they see fit among themselves. But when they come to >Assam and call their hosts strange  names, they would do so at >their own risk.
 
And when they do come over to Assam, you are going to help these folks to properly pronounce Assamese words with the help of the English language. I would love to see the Bihari rickshawalla browsing for this transliteration in Ingrezi? Good luck again.
 
:)
 
--Ram
 
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