Dear JC, Thanks for the post. Perhaps "gone off on a handle" was not the correct expression, I am not sure. I meant he went on a wrong track, unnecessarily, without a thought. If I find anything worthwhile regarding the correctness of my expression, I shall get back to you. For the present, please accept my apologies. Wrt #2, I find that too much of spurious "data" is getting into the internet database. And I am sure that you will agree with me on this because a lot of spurious "medical facts" are doing the same leading to several bouts of arguments in which you have yourself been involved on Goanet. When such spurious facts reach lay persons like me, they are liable to create havoc. This is why such interventions are unforgiveable. For instance, if you google for "Manipuri language five scripts" you will get Navhind Times news report of the proceedings of the Goa Legislative Assembly wherein Churchill Alemao made the claim that Manipur Government recognises five scripts for Manipuri language. In fact, Manipuri language has only two scripts out of which only "Bengali script" is accepted in the Official Language Act of Manipur. But an innocent googler will go away with the "knowledge" that Manipuri has five scripts all recognised by the Manipur government. This is my fear. I have never claimed to be infallible; I am always subject to correction. Regards. Sebastian Borges
From: "J. Colaco < jc>" <cola...@gmail.com> To: Sebastian Borges <s_m_bor...@yahoo.com>; frederick rico noronha goanet <fredericknoro...@gmail.com> Cc: "goa...@goanet.org" <goa...@goanet.org> Sent: Sunday, 1 May 2011 5:40 PM Subject: Re: [Goanet] "Konkani" before 1961 Sebastian Borges wrote: [1] As often happens, FN has gone off on a handle, [2] But FN has introduced an unforgiveable untruth into the internet database. [3] One should not bring in one's ignorance as fact. When unsure, ask! Dear Prof Borges, As one who knows very little - in general, I find your advice to FN (in #3 above) very appropriate for someone like me. Just so that I do 'not bring in my ignorance as fact' and as 'I am unsure', wrt #1, may I ask you if the following phrase exists in the English language (in Romi or in Devanagri): "Gone off on a handle"? It was always my understanding (and I stand corrected) that "the handle stayed put" ....but "the person flew off it". Are you referring to a very 'frak' handle which went along with the person "on it"? wrt #2: Accepting that FN made an error, why, may I ask, is his error unforgiveable? Are you, Prof Borges, blemish-free? good wishes as always jc