Goanetters annual year-end meet is on Dec 27, 2010 (Monday) from 4-6 pm at Institute Piedade (near Hotel Mandovi, opp Bread & More) in Panjim. Do come along. RSVP via SMS 9822122436, [email protected] or 2409490 (after 2 pm).
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * On 24 December 2010 14:02, Sebastian Borges <[email protected]> wrote: > Wilmix has sent a nice joke as an "article". But he could > have also sent it in Konkani (Roman script) for better > impact. Recently Lino Dourado, had suggested that > we should write in Konkani and I had suggested > that Wilmix send his article "Survival of the fittest" > in English as well. Many Goanetters do so; Dominic > is a recent example. But there is no response > from Wilmix. Unfortunately, Konkani for him is > the language of the stomach; meant to be used > only on the tiatr stage, and not on the street > where English alone reigns. Dear all: I don't have any special bitterness towards Prof Borges, and even though I disagree with his approach on script in Konkani, I think it's worth hearing all points of view, and tune in to his arguments often. Just for debate: (1) What is wrong if someone prefers to use one language for one purpose, and other language for another? (2) I dislike this Goan form of exclusiveness, which uses any argument possible to beat down someone-we-dont-like. This you-act-in-Konkani-but-don't-write-in-Konkani is a new one! There is also the are-you-an-Indian-citizen argument. I confess to have used the but-you-don't-even-live-in-Goa-and-have-lost-touch-with-it logic earlier. We Goans are a divisive people, and will find any excuse to exclude you from the circle. They remind me of the French, who look disdainfully upon poorly-pronounced French, not Germans (who are appreciative even if you know three words in their language). Correct me if wrong... (3) Why not accept that different languages have differing roles in today's Goa (and in the past too)? English and Marathi dominate the newspaper world. Konkani the local cable/TV world. Konkani in the fish-markets and streets (for much of the day, except at 7 am on Sundays, the siesta hours, and the tourist areas). Russian and English in the tourist world. Hindi in the wholesale markets. Portuguese for historical research and history seminars ("Don't you know Portuguese?") Etc... FN
