While driving, I've seen a bumper sticker with the message:
' I may be slow but in this lane I'm ahead of you. I'm working. I'm
shifting this load to help move our country forward. I'm being paid for
my effort directly from the value I've added. How about you?'
---
I have to also disagree with Tim on his comment 'So, big deal!'
My position: The ability to read, write, and importantly comprehend, the
English language is arguably the single most important skill for Goan to
acquire if they wish to succeed in India or in any part of the world.
For a young Goan it is a big deal.
Take a random poll of GoaNet participants. What language did we use to
acquire most of your education? What language do we use to keep your
professional skills up to date? What language helps in travel to any
city in the world? What language allows the privilege of earning a
living in any part of the world? What is the language of international
diplomacy, business, sciences, programing? Like it or not, English is
the de facto official language of India and the world. English is the
language of friendship, of art. It is the language of cross cultural
communication. It is the language that opens doors.
English may not be the mother tongue of Goa, but only a mastery of
English will help articulate, communicate, engage the appropriate
resources to resolve issues on the scale that Goa now faces.
English, and not Konkini or Marathi, as much as we may hope and wish it
to be, is the most successful medium to successfully preserve Goan
Culture by transmitting our values to new generations and in communities
around the world. This has been the case for the last 150 years.
I do not knock Konkini or Marathi. Languages are wonderful human tools.
Ideally everyone would have a native language for family, transmission
of culture, personal orientation. English, however, is the acquirable
tool that propels one, and Goa, beyond the village gates.
AP
[email protected]
--- John Collaco johncollaco at yahoo.com wrote ---
Foo is best in English spiking? You tell no now
www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152177796459199
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ano-E6lcChA
--- Tim de Mello timdemello2 at hotmail.com wrote ---
We Goans also write English badly. So, big deal!
As if we need reminding . . . English is not our mother tongue.
