Buried inside a lengthy litany of words, introductions and references was a message (I believe) I could have missed, had I not read my name being quoted (or rather misquoted.) Hence, I stretched my attention span to read the full story by Mr. Eugene Correia. *Dev borem korum.*
Ironically, Mr. Eugene Correia admits on one hand that he is a learner of the Konkani language and on the other hand takes the liberty to lambast Mr. Tim De Mello for his simple statement: “Dev borem korum, tuka ani tuj[e] famil[ik].”
Now, Eugene is wildly off the mark by making this misleading statement below. These are Eugene’s words -–not mine:
<For Vaz, language, as long as it's understood, is matter of no concern if spoken the right way or wrong. When someone asks you, "Tujem nanv kitem" I believe you would reply, "Joe Vaz mujem navn".>
Now, FAO Mr. Correia, here’s what I wrote:
JV: [ “Sure, I don’t have any problem with the Konkani Tim de Mello wrote (except for the misspelled words).
There is no problem in saying:
“Dev borem korum, tuka ani tuje familik.” Or “Tuka and tujea familik dev borem korum.”
The primary purpose of any language is to communicate, and as long as one person understands the other —that purpose will have been served. Tim’s version of “Thank you” has done just that. Unless of course if Tim is venturing to write a textbook in Konkani, which may warrant the critique.” ]
Note that I said “primary purpose” -–“PRIMARY” being the “KEY” WORD here. I hope that we are clear on this, and I am certainly not condoning incorrect grammar or verbiage.
I, therefore, stand my ground, by restating that “Dev borem korum, tuka ani tuje familik” is acceptable usage of the language, unless Eugene can refute this by quoting an authenticated Konkani book written by a recognized or reputed Konkani writer.
BTW- I think, any individual making an effort to learn a language should be encouraged -–not ridiculed. We can see that Tim is making the effort to learn Konkani, in due course he can achieve a level of proficiency in the language. One learns to walk before one begins to run, and so will Tim and others like him.
So let’s end this discussion, which I think is losing its flavor. Konkani is a powerful and pleasurable language as long as one relishes it.
Thank you all for your kind attention and patience.
Adieus, my friend Eugene.
Best wishes,
Joe Vaz June 29, 2003
PS: I will expound on my views on learning a language –- but that will be for another time.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Eugene Correia [EMAIL PROTECTED] Wrote:
Joe vaz writes:
The primary purpose of any language is to
communicate, and as long as one person understands the other —that purpose will have
been served. Tim’s version of “Thank you” has done just that. Unless of
course if Tim is venturing to write a textbook in Konkani, which may
warrant the critique. :)
I am bemused how a couple words of Konkani can
create such a ruckus among Goa-netters. Assuming that Eugene lives abroad, I
wonder if he knows the "Konkani" taught in Goa schools? If we want to
learn/speak the official Konkani we will have to learn it the way it is
introduced/taught now in schools.
Best Wishes,
Joe Vaz
---
I do live abroad, but as I explained in my earlier
post that I had the opportunity to read every week Konkani papers. When I was growing up we used to get Udentechem Nektr, published by the Archidioese of Bombay and edited by Mgr. Ayres Fernandes, who was at my parish of St. Francis Xavier, Dabul. Mgr. Fernandes was influenced by Prof. Joaquim Antonio Fernandes who taught Konkani at the Parel seminary. I too came under the learned professor's influence when I was a young man. I often met the professor at the Ave Maria newspaper office and I was a good listener to the discussion he conducted with people who normally used to drop in the newspaper's office. I often asked him questions and he was patient enought to reply. He encouraged me to write in Konkani. I tried and with a mixture of Konkani and English I submitted some pieces to Goa Times and Ave Maria. However, they were rigorously edited and published in Konkani. I was pleased. I was even invited to be member of the Konkani Bhasha Mandal, but I refused saying that I am not a Konkani writer. Prof. Fernandes lived in the Padamsee Bldg on Princess St, not far from Ave Maria press which was next to the Our Lady of Doloures Church in Dhobitalao. Even the well-known Konkani writer Fr. Antonio Pereira has acknowledged that his Konkani writing has been influenced by the professor. Also Fr. Morena de Souza. Prof. Fernandes and Valavlikar were friends. I have his books, Poilem Konknni PustoK and Dusrem Konknni Pustok. Besides, I also have his other book on how to write Konkani called Konknni Nad-Xastr (Konkani Phonetics). Modern scholars have dismissed this book was lacking in methodology. It has just 77 pages. He left lot of notes and other literary writings. After his death, I talked to his daughter to get them published. She informed that her brother has them. I told her that to donate to an institution or something for use by future scholars. I felt they were selfish. I think his writings are lost forever for those who would have benefitted from them. For Vaz, language, as long as it's understood, is matter of no concern if spoken the right way or wrong. When someone asks you, "Tujem nanv kitem" I believe you would reply, "Joe Vaz mujem navn". I did understand the reply and, going by your standards, that's all matters, thank you. One good book to start with is Let's Learn Konkani, by S. J. Borkar, which Jorge has also mentioned. I have also gone through Konkani Vyakaran by Pro. R.k. Rao, and Konkani Self Teacher by Mohan D. Karapurkar, whose blurb says, "a perfect guide to learn Konkanni )dv-nagri and Roman) through english vice-versa." Mind you, no ruckus was created. Any debate discussion is good for the health of this forum or it will die from idleness. As long as we show courtesy and not indulge in name-calling or hitting someone below the belt, discussions should be welcomed. I often wish I was young again to go to Goa schools and learn the language. I struggle to read the devnagri script as I studied Hindi and Marathi in school. To keep my touch with Hindi I used to borrow Hindi mags from the library. But that was more than 10 years ago. Now I pick up the Hindi language paper called Hindi Times and another Hindi/English paper, Hello Canada, to read. But it's a painful exercise to get familiar again with Hindi.
Joe, no personal offence meant. Just a long-winded info.
Eugene Correia<
_________________________________________________________________
Gift yourself a holiday. Treat your family like royalty. http://www.flexihols.com/2003/index.php
##########################################################################
# Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts #
# More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others #
##########################################################################
