The controversy over allowing the Konkani language to exist in the Romi and Kannada scripts is turning ugly, due to unnecessary prejudices.
Prejudice No 1: Roman script is alien Surely this is a redundant attitude. Most Goans write in Romi-Konkani on e- mails and SMSs. One may argue that the Devnagri script can be used too, but for that it is necessary to know how to type it. In fact, how can one insist that English should be a subject from Std I (the demand was made by the Samta Andolan at Pedne Parishad) and then persist with the claim that the Roman script is alien to young minds. It is pertinent to note that publications and periodicals in the Romi and the Kannada script are written and read by many. The numbers prove that public patronage exists for all the scripts. The Devnagri script too, will flourish, but it does not have to be at the cost of the Romi-script or the Kannada script. Prejudice No 2: Single Script strengthens Language The blockage of the Urdu script has left Hindi poorer. Even today, the best of Hindi writing comes from people who know both the scripts Devnagri as well as Urdu. When we interact with Konkanis from Karnataka or Kerala, our common language matters, not the accent, not the vocabulary and definitely not the script. Konkani has survived all odds over the years along the entire Konkan belt, due to the plurality of dialect, accent and script. Last year, a Konkani Yakshagaan performed in the Kala Academy, with the background banner written in the Kannada script. Discrimination against script will only create divisions and diversions in the Konkani movement. Prejudice No 3: Western culture will dominate This prejudice falls flat in regards to the Kannada script. Regarding the others, it is observed that the aping of western culture is not restricted to any one script, community or language. And most importantly "culture" is not really eastern or western, northern or southern... it is reflected in the values of democracy, equality, freedom, empathy and humanism. Yes our ethnic identity is reinforced with the consolidation of our language, but to insist that the Devnagri script should be thrust upon people will have its dangerous implications. Forceful impositions will lead to resistance and even revolt. To promote the Devnagri script, one does not have to demote the Romi or Kannada scripts. Prejudice No 4: All opposition is anti-Konkani In supporters of the Romi-script are even described as anti-national. Our language is one of colourful plurality and it is unfair to view it through a blinkered black-or-white perspective. A few hotheaded, nasty arguments needed not be the basis to decide that supporters of any one script are opposing the other. Such chauvinism is best left to the Konkani speaking Goan who insists that Konkani is a dialect. Nationalism and national pride are not slaves to any single language or script. They go beyond, to first recognizing and then accepting, both, our strengths as well as our weaknesses. Attacking the plural diversity will wreck all possible unity! Prejudice No 5: It reinforces arguments of Konkani bashers Two Mandovi bridges have fallen down, been rebuilt and an entire landscape has changed, since the official and public recognition of Konkani as a language of the Konkani people. The use of written Konkani has increased in leaps and bounds. Literature, theatre, Documentation and development is taking place in all the major scripts. This controversy is less to do with language and more to do with economics that come with the official recognition of the script. The proponents of Kannada and Romi scripts want their dutiful share of the Sahitya Academy and other awards and rewards. Some in the Devnagri camp do not want to let go of the monopoly. May all Konkani people disregard the divisive arguments and allow Konkani to flourish in all scripts by patronizing the distinct and unique plurality of our language. May the sloganeering recede and may the pen and the ghumat be brought to the fore! - Pravin Sabnis Trekker, Theatre-person & Trainer with a passion for helping people connect with their passion and potential _______________________________________________ Goanet mailing list [email protected] http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
