Dear friends,
To begin with, let me clear the cobwebs that clutter this issue. The bone of
contention is the Official language Act (OLA) passed in 1987. It stipulates
that whenever Konkani is used for the official purposes, specifically notified
from time to time, the script shall be Devanagari. The only official purpose
that has been notified till date is correspondence with Government departments.
There are two contending parties in this issue. One (let us call it 'group
A') demands that the OLA be reopened for amendment to add Roman script to
Devanagari, *_and damn the consequences._* The other party ('group B') opposes
this demand, terming it unnecessary, ill-conceived and fraught with dangerous
consequences. The controversy began six years ago in the Konkani (Roman
script) monthly GULAB. It then spilled onto the internet and thence to English
print media. It continues sporadically in the latter two.
In support of its demand, group A adduces its grievances based on events,
incidents and happenings, and draws inferences thereon which place all the
ills at the door of the OLA. Group B counters those, proving the falsity of
the grievances and the mixing up of the chronology of events leading to
erroneous inferences. Group A calls itself "protagonists of Roman script" or
"pro-Romi" in short. (Incidentally, 'Romi' means 'Roman script' in Konkani.)
In contrast, group B is dubbed "anti-Romi." An English daily, whose
management (original as well as current) wants Marathi also to be declared the
Official language, has given group B the title 'Devanagri lobby.'
It should be clear, therefore, that 'pro-Romi group' means 'those favouring the
proposed amendment,' and 'anti-Romi group' means those opposing the same.
However, over the years, the term 'anti-Romi' has been twisted to its literal
meaning i.e. "those opposed to Konkani literature in Roman script." This is in
spite of the fact that many in this group are actively involved in the
promotion of Konkani literature in Roman script whereas some of the stalwarts
of group A are using the movement to feather their own nest and to enjoy what
their own comrades call 'lollipops.' It should be clearly understood that
neither is group A opposed to Konkani literature in Devanagari script nor is
group B opposed to Konkani literature in Roman script; the two can certainly
continue to prosper – "celebrate diversity" – even with the OLA as it exists
today. Clearly, the point of dispute is "reopening the OLA for amendment."
Having said that, let me deal with the points raised by my friend Valmiki
Faleiro ("Why can't we..." 31 May). He has chosen to restate his attitude
towards the Devanagari script, something I had not contested (but am forced to
do so now). What he has written about another friend, Professor (Dr.) Olivinho
Gomes is entirely true; I doubt anyone can have doubts about that. But a
seeker after truth has the right to question even his guru with a view to clear
his own doubts. I have followed this principle as a student and encouraged the
same as a teacher; such an approach is beneficial to both the teacher and the
taught. From my experience, I can say with conviction that inquisitive, not
passive, pupils produce a thorough teacher. Pupils who unquestioningly accept
what the teacher dishes out gain only information, not wisdom. 'Difficult'
questions have often led me to explore facets of my subject which I might
never have thought of. A public debate
is not a competition to score brownie points but a medium to enlighten the
audience on the issue being debated. My most heated academic arguments have
been with friends; forget discussing with enemies (of whom, fortunately, I have
very few), I do not even look at their faces.
I find that Valmiki concedes the facts that writing / reading Konkani in Roman
script is not banned nor is Konkani correspondence in Roman script censored by
the Government. But he goes on to answer in the affirmative my question about
people being forced to write Konkani in Devanagari, adding that this is done at
primary school level. Here I find that Valmiki is not clear in his thinking or
is trying to eat his cake and keep it as well. For, in contrast, he urges "all
Goan parents to encourage their children to master the Devanagari script in
order to stay competitive in the job market of the country." Secondly, has
this ‘compulsion’ arisen as a result of OLA (1987)? Did school children write
Konkani in Roman script prior to that date? Konkani in Devanagari script has
been taught in Goan primary schools since 1962. And a majority of those were
Archdiocesan schools. Did the Government force the script on these schools?
Let alone the
script, *_the Government of the day had nothing to do even with the
introduction of Konkani language whether in primary school or as the third
language at the secondary level._* And *_the first batch of M.A.s in Konkani
(Devanagari script) taught by Prof. Olivinho came out of Goa University,
coincidentally, in 1987._*
Valmiki poses a rhetorical question whether any Roman script writer has bagged
the Sahitya Akademi Award and, since the answer is in the negative, he comes to
the conclusion that such writers have been rendered second-class citizens.
The Sahitya Akademi recognises over a score of languages most of which do not
have their scripts specified. One such is Marathi. But has anyone heard of a
Marathi book in Modi script having bagged the Award, in the last
half-a-century? Therefore, can we say that a Modi writer is a second-class
Marathi citizen? Let us not forget the fact that Modi script was being taught
in Marathi primary schools until recently, even in Goa; in contrast, Konkani
has never been taught in Roman script in any primary school, anywhere.
When Valmiki states that Akademi has adopted Devanagari as the script for
Konkani on the advice of a "latter-day Advisory Board for Konkani" he is being
clever by half. The reader, doubtlessly, gets the impression that the advice
was given after the OLA was passed. But the advice pre-dates the OLA by over 5
years! Which means that the Sahitya Akademi’s rule will persist, even after
the OLA is amended.
What was the necessity of this advice? Valmiki rightly says that script was
not specified when Konkani was recognized as an independent literary language
of India in 1975. There are only a handful of languages for which the Akademi
specifies the script as far as its programmes are concerned. But the
specification was *_in no case attached to the original recognition_*; it
followed only in respect of languages where multiple scripts are current, and
after conflicting demands arose. Konkani was not the first, nor was it the
last, to undergo this procedure. With a view to smooth functioning, the
Akademi’s policy is to recognize only one script for any one language.
Therefore, when demands came for four scripts (Devanagari, Roman, Kannada and
Malayalam), the Akademi followed its normal procedure in such an event, and
placed the matter before the Advisory Board for Konkani which is a standing
body. And the Board, consisting of 10 members,
*_unanimously_* recommended Devanagari.
I do not see how the way one speaks a language should come in the way of
writing a *_dictated_* passage. Even English has different dialects even in
its own native United Kingdom, and in the capital city of London itself. But
do any two Britishers write the same English words differently? Moreover, even
a Goan school-child, *_whose native language English is not_*, can point to
spelling and grammatical errors in an English text. Why can’t Goan adults do
the same with Konkani text written in Roman script, in spite of Konkani being
their native tongue? And, if the citizens write Konkani letters to Government
in their own dialects and orthography, What will be the plight of the official
receiving it? How do you expect the recipient official, even if conscientious,
to react? If he is made to run up a wall just to understand what is written,
what use would the OLA be? To celebrate awards and lollipops?
Sotachench zoit zatolem.
Mog asum.
Sebastian Borges
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