Edgar writes:
Eugene is a nit picker and I have known him. He writes
well (he would make a good gossip columnist on any
tabloid) and Tim does not speak Konkani well. He is
well intentioned and wants to learn at his age the 
language of his ancestors. That Eugene should spend
time to correct Tim's Konkani is ridiculous or is it
that Eugene has nothing better to do? Konkani is an 
imperfect language due to it's persecution and neglect
by the Goans. Thanks to Fr. Stevens and Borkar and
many Hindus, it is going through a evival. If we let
down our guard, Marathi will resurface in Goa and
dominate Konkani. 
---
Frankly, I don't know Edgar well. I must admit I knew
his brother, Hilary, well as we were both on the GOA
executive. I have met Edgar just a couple of times,
and some months ago, he entertained me with caju feni
when I dropped him home from a meeting address by
Panjim Council Patricia.
Saying that I would be a good gossip writer shows that
Edgar hasn't read my journalism. Check India's finest
political weekly, Frontline, for my pieces, and also
India Today (north American edition).
One of the reason I pointed out Tim's "poor" Konkani
was to know what the teacher in fact really teach his
pupils. I had earlier asked Joao his background in
teaching and he gave me a big list of people he knew
and who he knew, including political big-wigs in Goa.
I thought he would jump in and say something about
what I wrote regarding Tim's konkani. 
I would love to see many Goans speak and write the
language. I don't claim to have any Konkani writing
skills, but I would like to learn them.
By his remark that Konkani is an "imperfect language"
Edgar is not only wrong, but has played directly into
the hands of the anti-Konkani brigade.
It has been made to look "imperfect" by people who
don't care about its grammar and other naunces. The
leading Konkani scholars have said and demonstrated
that Konkani is a 'structured" language following
strict grammartical rules.
Edgar could do his own research or he could write to
my friend, Fr. Mathew Almeida at the Stephen Konkani
Kendra for his opinion. Or better still, write to my
other good old friend, Prof. Jose Pereira.
I don't want to start a debate over this issue, as the
debate has been as old as the hills.
Peace,

Eugene Correia


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