----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, September 16, 2006 3:26
PM
Subject: Re: Sankaradeva vs
Xongkordew
Barua,
>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 advocated NO SUCH THING.
You are once again putting words in my mouth. Show me where I said that? And
I am surprised you didn't catch th
drift or essence of my posts on the subject.
I do not have a
problem with the advocacy of "Xongordew" or "Xongordeu".
In fact, I think that is how it should be.
But, if you going to tell me it
is because Assamese are losing their identity, that is why it needs changing
(in fact that was ONE reason advocated in the discussions), or because it is
being Sankritized - I have a problem.
Why? I will even answer
that.
1) If Assamese ARE NOT losing
their identity
2) If it was not
Sankritized
Then will you accept
"Sankaradeva" instead?
I hope, you and others would NOT
on those grounds.
It is extremely simple:
IT should be "Xongordew" because THAT IS HOW ASSAMESE WANT
it. And that is how we would like others to pronounce it as well.
You tell me, isn't that a good
reason? Why do you need other reasons?
Nothing else matters - the other reasons some netters are trying to
dish out are simply frivolous.
And when such reasons are
forwarded, it brings out other issues: ie maybe, this is more of an identity
problem and not so much from maintaining the sanctity of the language itself.
And if you want to talk about
Assamese losing their identity, by all means - let us discuss that, but as
separate issue, as it a very important issue, IMHO.
>With this type of advocacy,
you will qualify yourself to go >back to the basics of alphabet in
Assamese and English
Hehehe! Guilty as charged. But
aren't you glad though, that I am the only one?
And I hope this is all clear as
mud :)
--Ram
On 9/15/06, Barua25
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote:
>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
