------------------------------------------------------------------------
**** WWW.GOANET.ORG *** A N N O U N C E M E N T ****
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Launching Goanet-sports - Dedicated to Sports in Goa and Goans in Sports
Get your free subscription at:
http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-sports-goanet.org
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Every once in a while the topic of Konkani-isms comes up here and we
discuss the usual absurd phrases which occur when we native Konkani
speakers literally translate from Konkani to English.
Reverse Konkani-isms are rarely given the attention they deserve because
this forum is largely made up of English speaking people.
A reverse Konkani-ism occurs when a English speaking (thinking) person
literally translates into Konkani when speaking.
For example yesterday I had phoned a journalist friend of mine a couple of
times, on his mobile, but got no response. Later in the evening he phones
me and asks in his accented Konkani, "Tuvem mhaka don favti apoiloi?"
Technically speaking it does translate as "You called me twice" but "apoi"
is "call" as in call and not as in phone call. The phrase sounds absurd to
a Konkani speaker.
Also we must address the new words that are becoming part of our
vocabulary. "Missed call" for example, as a verb.
"Did you missed call me?"
"Why don't you just missed call me at about 7 and I will come to the park"
This word/phrase is being increasingly used by South Asian cellphone-savvy
youth and will soon be included in the English dictionary if popular usage
is the criteria.
Cheers!
Cecil
===========
