I was pleased to see the interested generated by this 'ancient' and meaningful prayer which I often recited. This als reminded me of an article of mine that was published some years ago and which I am happy to reproduce below.
Mervyn Maciel PROUD TO SPEAK MY MOTHER TONGUE *There was a time, especially during the colonial era in Goa* *and other parts of India, when many of our Goans would not be* *seen talking in their own mother tongue; not that these individuals* *couldn't speak the language. For them, speaking in a foreign* *tongue gave them that air of superiority(at least so they thought!).* *They felt important. Speaking in Konkani was considered below their* *dignity. SHAME ON THEM!* * As a lover of Konkani myself and all that our culture embodies,* *I find it difficult to gauge the motives of these "foreign" Goans.* *The following verses(sadly, the only ones I can remember) - from* *a poem composed during my school days by that well-known* *Jesuit historian, the late Fr. Claude Saldanha, S.J. - seem to sum up* *everything. Referring to these self styled foreigners as **kalafirngis-* *Black Europeans),** this, in 1940, is what he wrote:* * 'They are shy to talk sweet Konkani* * Because they think it's low,* * They rattle off in company* * A foreign tongue for show.* * The men put on some pantaloons* * And think they look quite fine,* * They hardly know - the good buffoons* * That borrowed plumes don't shine!* *Melodious mandos -swaying songs* *With all their hearts they hate* *Which cannot swing the girls around* *With arms at any rate.* * And so they say, 'the mando's dead'* * Not meant for cultured folk,* * But all their culture it is said* * Would not impress a bloke!* *Konkani is such a sweet language, with greetings and* *expressions not found in other foreign languages.* *Take the daily salutation, for example --* * 'Deo boro dis diun(May God give you a good day)* *or 'Deo bori rath diun(May God give you a good night).* *And what of that nightly blessing from our Elders?* * 'Deo bori rath amcam somestam di Saiba etc(Lord,* *give us a good night etc etc).* *This last expression has certainly more meat to it than the* *plain 'Thank you'. Besides, all these also have one* *thing in common - they embody Christian principles.* *Far from being ashamed of our mother tongue, folk* *songs and dances, let us make every effort to revive* *and keep them going forever.* *Future generations will thank us for this.* *Mervyn Maciel* 13
