FN: *Bosla* or *boslai* isn't a question about your state of activity, or lack of it. It's simply a substitute for *hello* or *good morning* or *fine day*.
Konkani, is a "s a contextual language" as still spoke, and certainly was spoken by those who really think in it/or are able to think in it. It employs contextual orientation; social parameters come into play, stressing of certain words suggest thinking not realized when simple looking at a word, etc. In regarding the word "boslai" there is a consciousness (still not quite dissipated today), an awareness directed on part of the observer towards the object. Let us say there is a woman who is of some means, brought in a lot of dowry, properties, the family is known to eat fish daily: essentially very comfortable. Now that woman is seen differently by those belonging to various strata of society. Her sitting in the balcao and the hark that is "boslai" essentially amounts to (and not the same by all and sundry) that she has taken care of the providing for her family and brood. The fish has been bought: this family can afford to go to the market and pay a higher price; the house has been swept, etc., etc., etc. A few things play out now. 01. One may imagine seeing you seated at this hour of the day as in chillin/being relaxed. Tokler bar nam (or not much weight/stress). Its could suggest something else at some other time, and does not need to be thought about. Then its a filler, and even consonant with interjected sounds. 02. Its awesome (to see you so). To mean people like you have the good life. You are together, etc. 03. I am pleased to see (assigning context, etc.) that all seems well. ...and so forth. I grew up on such scenarios at home and in every trip to Goa being that my grand uncle was a very aware priest who knew his languages (at least I believe so). Thoughts on the contextual aspects have been raised earlier on Goanet: Goanet Reader: Kitem? Bazarant vetam? Boslai? Paus poddta ... http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-news-goanet.org/2008-October/008759.html Perhaps "tuvem macam (maka) apoilo" came across as being summoned. + + + Venantius J Pinto
