Dears, After 21 years of the Official Language Act, 1987, the readers and writers of Konkani in the Roman script are NOT dead ...they are increasing! Some of those who wanted to give facilities to the Roman script writers of the language for twenty years are dead or within handshaking distance of Yama Raj.
Roman script is not about script or linguistic chauvinism. Rather, it is a very inclusive movement. After all is said and done, Roman script is used by more languages in the world than any other script. It is even the script of the computer and cyberspace. English, German, French, Turkish, Pidgin, Creaole, Latin, Spanish ...and even Bollywood sub-titles are written in Roman script. Did the MLAs stumble on some truth when they fumbled about "Romani" language while talking about Konkani? Miguel --- On Mon, 25/8/08, renebarreto <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: From: renebarreto <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Discussion on Official Language Act 1987 in the Goa Assembly Date: Monday, 25 August, 2008, 11:20 PM Discussion on Official Language Act 1987 in the Goa Assembly On Monday, 25 August 2008, in Goa Legislative Assembly during ‘Demands’, eight members Including the Chief Minister Digambar Kamat spoke on the Official Language Act 1987. The demand for discussion of this topic was laid before the house by Mr. Manohar Parrikar, Leader of the Opposition. Dy. Speaker Mr. Mauvin Godinho was the first person to speak on this topic. He was followed by Mrs. Victoria Feranandes (St. Cruz), Mr. Agnelo Fernandes (Calangute), Mr. Alexio Reginaldo Lourenço (Curtorim), Mr. Manohar Parrikar, Mr. Dayanand Mandrekar (Siolim), Mr. Francisco Silveira and Chief Minister. All the speakers were in favour of giving its due place to Roman script in the Official Language Act. Parrikar was the best speaker. He had done thorough home work. One could see this the way he spoke and presented the matter in the house. He suggested to form a committee comprising MLAs , Marathi protagonists and Roman script Protagonists and within two months to come to a consensus on the language issue and to settle it based on the views of the majority. Three of the Catholic MLAs who spoke in favour of Roman script were using terms like “Romani bhas”, “Romi bhas”, “Romi Konknni”. They did not know there are no such notions. In Goa Konknni is written in two scripts, Devanagari and Roman scripts and they use two different dialects, namely, Antruzi and Bardeshi. Mandrekar made a statement that Devanagari script is the mother of all scripts and it is the script of Sanskrit. He and many others do not know the history of Indian scripts. Brahmi was the first Indian script and all other Indian scripts were modification of it. Devanagari script evolved only in 900 A. D. Since Sanskrit was written in many scripts, in 1857 the British decided to make the Devanagari script the official script of Sanskrit to teach it as a subject in Calcutta, Madras and Bombay Universities. Sanskrit was and is written in a number of script. While replying to the Demands, the CM said that he is ready to discuss this issue and to find satisfactory solution once and for all for the good of Goa and Goans. On Friday 29th August Parrikar’s private member resolution to constitute a committee of representatives of MLS, supporters of Roman script and supporters of Marathi will be discussed in the house. One has to wait and see what the government will do to settle the long standing demand of Roman script supporters. Pratap Naik, S.J. ============ ========= ========= ========= ========= ===== Can some one enlighten us on these issues - ...... WHY should MARATHI be the subject of discussion - Is MARATHI the official language of GOA - ? WHAT did the CATHOLIC MLA s have to say - it would be interesting to read what the CATHOLIC MLA s have to SAY? rene barreto - WORLD ALLIANCE OF GOAN ASSOCIATIONS WORLD GOA DAY - celebrated in GOA. http://www.children walkingtall. com/Pictures/ 9-6.htm WORLD GOA DAY - VIVA GOA - CRYSTAL PALACE UK http://good- times.webshots. com/album/ 565585700qIqAdY ============ ========= ========= ========= ========= ===== Unlimited freedom, unlimited storage. Get it now, on http://help.yahoo.com/l/in/yahoo/mail/yahoomail/tools/tools-08.html/
