Konkani For Everyone

The Following is reprinted from page 2 of the Publication “Konkani For Everyone” published for the 2008 International Goan Convention

Language is the greatest single gift and achievement of the human organism. Every language is an organ of perception, not simply a means of conveying ideas. The first mass medium, language confers order on both speaker and hearer. It provides identity. As an instrument of thought and imagination, it serves to penetrate and know both Nature and knower alike. (Excerpt from Electric Language – Understanding the Present. By Eric McLuhan)

Our homeland Goa, and our Konkani language, are integral parts of our Goan heritage. As Goans living abroad, events in Goa are beyond our control. But we have a choice; we can use or lose our language. If we relinquish Konkani, we also surrender our identity.

The purpose of this publication is to fulfill a responsibility – that of ensuring our language, and therefore our identity, survives in the various Goan communities worldwide. For a language to survive it has to be spoken. Traditionally a child would receive this knowledge from the cradle –hence the words “Mai Bas”, the mother tongue. However, as Goans moved away from their homeland, the pressures to conform and to succeed in their transplanted lands meant the sacrifice of their language. The speaking of Konkani was even reprimanded in Goan schools overseas.

Over the years many Goans born and raised abroad have come to realize that they are missing out on an important facet of their identity and culture. Goa is now a tourist paradise with hundreds of thousands flocking there every year. Konkani culture through music, song, and tiatr, has spread all over the world. This publication is intended to be a starting point for learning to speak Konkani. The words and phases are those used in everyday life, in the home, and in the streets and villages of Goa. It does not purport to be the official source of the language as used in the government, the churches, and schools in Goa. This publication on it’s own will not enable a reader to speak and understand Konkani. The language needs to be heard and spoken if it is to survive. Those who know Konkani should take the lead, use it in the home, among family and friends, and at Goan cultural events.

Goan Family Values

Aires Rodrigues wants NRGs to feel closer to home via internet content in the mother tongue
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source

There is this story of a Non Resident Goan (NRG) who came to Goa on a two week vacation from Florida after 12 years. He complained endlessly to the relatives he was staying with that Goa was noisy, dirty, smelly, disgusting and primitive and he would never visit Goa again. When he returned to the States an office colleague asked him if he had enjoyed his vacation. He beamed and told his friend of his experiences. The people were very friendly and welcoming. Everyone took an interest in him and even people outside the village showed signs of recognition when they saw him again. But particularly heart-warming was the way even distant members rallied around to welcome him. He said, “The concept of the family is alive and kicking in Goa, not like here. I just cannot wait to go back next Christmas.”

What are the family values that make our state so special? It is that we cherish not only our extended family and neighbours but everyone we meet, even on a casual basis. Every visitor to Goa, whether it be from Mumbai or Manchester is full of praise for the Goan ambience. It is not because Goa is cheap — Goa afterall, appeals not only to mechanics but also to millionaires. Can you blame them? We are such a friendly and family-oriented society that even dacoits and terrorists regard us as soft targets. Family values are changing globally. True, they are changing in Goa too, but the pace is slow compared to that in the West.

When Goans emigrate to the Emirates or to England or elsewhere they have problems adjusting. For generations, Indians have emigrated abroad in search of employment, opportunities and a better standard of living. Wherever they have settled, Goans have felt the need to pass on their culture and traditions to their children and have tended to band together, initially forming a community, association or club. The language issue has never been a focal point and a couple of generations of NRGs have grown up not knowing or being able to speak their mother tongue. More emphasis was placed instead on being proficient and therefore speaking a western language at home (usually that of their adopted country). Goans have also always been good at integrating (up to a point) with the host community. In the 21st century we could say that this is the norm.

On the other hand, many youngsters are developing an interest in their parents’ mother country and language and are becoming more aware and proud of their ethnic origins. Goans are known for making an attempt to keep in touch with their roots and for visiting Goa — some more frequently than others. With global interest in food and cultures, Goan food has come into its own with restaurants springing up worldwide and also being kept alive in the home. So, though the modern NRG has settled abroad for several generations, we can say that culture and family values tied to it are very much alive, though they are in a form that is combined with the values of the adoptive country. Adopting the best of both worlds, you might say. These include: Respect for the family, including the elderly Good civic sense Respect for the values of the host country Respect and value for humanity What is becoming increasingly evident now, is the need for a support network which the NRG family can use.

Traditionally this has been one of the cornerstones of the Goan family where the ties are close and commitment is a strong factor. However, the way of life abroad has changed a great deal since the last generation. Women have a different role to play, often combining the duties of running a household with the demands of pursuing a career. This has had an impact on family life and values, with responsibilities shared by all the members of the family unit.The first generation immigrant has had to work hard to build a strong economic base for the family. The younger generation is faced with pressures to conform to an alien culture in order not to stick out like a sore thumb.

However, a common denominator with both generations is that they spend substantial portions of their leisure time on their personal computers whether e-mailing friends, surfing the internet or playing games. They have no time to explore their ethnic roots because what is currently available is a poor choice for their personal interests. The Goa government should step in as a facilitator to provide services via the internet. There is a crying need for an internet TV station with programmes in Konkani while allowing the viewer to select subtitles in English or Konkani, either in Devanagari or the Roman script. Some features that could be provided are: A daily news bulletin in Konkani. Entertainment programmes with music, tiatr, concerts, etc. Konkani language lessons Cookery programmes Travel, historical and other documentary programmes In course of time a video library could be created enabling any viewer to select programmes on demand. This will all cost money and advertising slots could be created which will, I am sure, be taken up by sectors such as the banking, building, hospitality, travel and other such industries. The Goa government’s commissionerate for Non Resident Indian affairs should take up the initiative and conduct a feasibility study on whether the above ideas could be turned into reality. The writer is an advocate and activist.

The views expressed are those of the writer
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