Hello all I am not an authority on our language that has evolved on the Konkan coast over generations. Recently while in Goa the language spoken appeared to be alien as my knowledge of Konkani is mainly from music and tiatrs while growing up in East Africa.
I say alien as the generation speaking it now will have built Goa while they were four or five years old doing back breaking work as child labourers commonly known as Ghantis. Rewinding time back they have every right to stay and work in Goa as they contribute to its economy. Our language has survived but to get more or less the pure Konkani I came across this book: Spoken Konkani (A self learning guide with CD by Edward De Lima) Vikram Publications, 515 Lima Vaddo, Porvorim, Goa, 402 501. I know most of us have debates on spelling and regional dialects, however, I hope some effort can be made to learn a bit on World Goa Day, a Day when we celebrate our rich culture and heritage. Visitors to Goa may wish to attend certificated classes run by the Dalgado Konkani Academy in Panjim. Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 2 June 2014
