Hi all, I received two responses in private-one from the Middle East and the second from Australia (or as my mom pronounces it: Aauustrelya). The two gracious posters should let me know if they wish their names revealed. Also thanks for correcting my misspelling of korum. But I am happy that there are willing Goans out there. I am presently at work and although its a slow day, my mind is also slow when it comes to written Konkani. But that is slowly changing. So I will add and well as include this response in Konkani in a couple of days.
What I have been trying to understand is why in Konkani the first concept of a Thank you, includes god. I am not suggesting to keep God out, or any other permutation involved God in our minds. Its just that as a central idea upon receiving help or someone coming to a Goans aid---what led us normally to say Deo borem korum, as opposed to Borem zaum (its used much less), or Tumjem/Tumchem borem zaun, Tumcher argan/devachim argam possronv, etc. Of course all these are used regularly, but Deo Borem korum precedes the rest. Was there any thing else before that. Ex: See there is a difference in say in Hindi between, Bhagawan accha karen (God will do well by you) and dhanyavaad (Blessing be heaped upon you, as in wealth (or equivalents). In Marathi, Mi tumcha abhari (I am a recepient of your graciousness/helpfulness), Mi tumcha abhar manto (I acknowledge your help), Dev sagla tumcha changla karel (Kon, Deo tumchem soglem borem kortolo). The Maharashtrians veer towards Mi tumcha abhari, etc., not Dev changla karel, etc. But not us Goans, and my interest was in attempting to get a sense of is there some precedent, maybe even a story, etc., is it a very Christian idea infused in us, is it also an idea that was also absorbed by the Goan Hindus, was is always there. Needless to add, I have a decent sense of roots of words etc. I feel such understanding helps us understand ourselves and where we could be headed. As one of the responders said so well, "Hi bori sonvoim amche fuddle pillgek chalu dovorchi." And this coming from a writer no less. Much appreciation. venantius j pinto
