---------------------------------------------------------- Archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/goa-net/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Goanet2003/ ----------------------------------------------------------
Great job Mr. Manohar Pednekar and Mr. Rene Barreto. Your recent e-mail on the history of Konkani is "a keeper" for one's library. Do not be discouraged by the wide distribution of Konkani and the influence (degradation some "intellectuals" would call it) of other languages on Konkani. Many Goans may have seen the mini-series or read the book on "The Story of English". The reason why English language is so widely used and so well accepted in all regions of the world is because it "got contaminated" or English "embraced" the words from so many other countries, languages and dialects. This embrace is depicted by "non-English" words now in the official English dictionary. The language used today is not the (glorious) English of Queen Victoria or Shakespeare. At every step English evolved to simplify and shorten its spelling, phraseology and usage. This was unlike Spanish or French which at one time had a wider distribution and use, but failed to adapt or accept changes. Example: Old- Yf so be that ye have tasted how pleasaunt the Lorde is.. New- If so be you have tasted that the Lord is pleasant.. This is important to remember! Currently there is an urge for some Konkani (and Indian) scholars to revert back to the spelling and pronunciation of the original language. As Mr. Pednekar presents there is a lack of precise documentation of the original and modified, so some of our analysis is conjecture. Hence what one writer recently said, "We want to move forward by going back" may not be the wisest thing. So instead of arguing on the spelling of Calangute in Konkani, lets us clean up the place of many of its ills, including teenage prostitution. After we have done that, and if Goans really want to move into the 21st century, let us call the place what it is most famous for and what could improve its economy. If we insist on changing Calangute, may be we should even look at names like Sunny Sands, Golden Sands, Paradise Beach, Coconut Grove or Palm Beach. Now our Konkani experts can just spend a day translating the words and offering the residents of Calangute a vote on it! Now that Calangute's problems are solved, the Konkani thinkers can (guess what) turn their attention to other towns. "Clean-up Goa - one town a week" should be their slogan. It may take 1-3 months (maximum) to plan the cleanup. With in-town and out-of-town volunteer help and some "elbow grease" of the adults and students, the cleanup of a town can be done in a week. Now I am sure, some Goan is saying in Konkani, "This guy is sitting in America and dreaming" or even "I wonder what is he smoking?" Please e-mail me how this sounds in Konkani. It will be melodious with a touch of kind Goan humor! Are baba, ............ In USA in nearly all towns, volunteer groups like Boys Scouts, Rotary, Lions, Chamber of Commerce etc., quarterly clean up 1-2 mile stretch of roadway (each) or help recycle trash (newspaper, glass, plastic and cans). Believe me with a community spirit, it is not difficult and can be a lot of fun. I have done it! This will be a lot more productive and enjoyable than arguing about a new fifteen-letter town-name with vowels, consonants, deep or rolling sounds and silent letters. Deu borem korum. Regards, GL
