Dear Goans in Diaspora.
This is an urgent appeal to all of us - people of Goan origin in
Diaspora to save our mother tongue "Konkani". Much has been spoken about
keeping the Konkani language alive and little or nothing has been done to
keep the
Konkani divo and its flame going. Goan associations all over the
world and cultural societies need to play a greater part in the campaign to
keep away the natural demise of our beloved language.
A simple example of practise is like studying a second language in
schools where we study French and Portuguese get distinction and once we
complete our studies we tend to forget the language for lack of practise.
We have people from Kerala and Gujarat who have learned the language
and speak fluently in Goa and we do not easily see the difference. As Goans
in Diaspora we are in greater numbers than those Goans who work
and live in Goa. Therefore, it is imperative that we Goans in
Diaspora keep our mother tongue alive at least to speak the language.
Writing books in English is fine but there should be some pages devoted to
our mother
tongue.
It is clearly evident that our language will not survive unless we
in Diaspora do something about it. The onus to save our language therefore
rests with Goans that have spread throughout the length and breadth
of the universe. Goans by nature are voyagers like Vasco De Gama.
But the voyage does not mean that we forget our language! Seven Konkani
Martyrs laid down their lives on 23 December 1986 for the sake of Konkani
language during the height of Language agitation on 23rd of December
1986. Blood was spilt to maintain our language and this needs to be
respected in maintaining our Konkani as our "Mai Bhas". Konkani received
recognition as a language in the eight schedule of the Indian
constitution making Konkani one of the official languages of India.
To all those who speak or avoid to speak Konkani because of lack of
practise, here is a link "Learning Konkani" . Due acknowledgement is given
to the author of this link Mr. Jaime X. D'Mello
Learning Konkani < <http://www.gora-world.com/goa/Konkani/>
http://www.gora-world.com/goa/Konkani/>
Welcome to "TEACH YOURSELF SOME KONKANI" PAGE. ... Now you are ready
to start with lessons : Lesson 1 . Lesson 2 . Lesson 3 ...
Something to think about: When we visit France, the French speak or
reply only in their language when we visit Goa we speak in English and are
responded in Konkani by the Keralite community Could we therefore
promote Konkani first in our homes and in social gatherings?. It is
never too late to start talking Konkani to our children; children are
capable of absorbing three languages at a time. Since the very first thing
we do is
suck milk from our mothers' breast and that is the time our mothers
spoke to us in Konkani "Dol moje bai, nind moje bai, pipit adtolo
pai,......."
Of course the second and third generation may not want t speak in
Konkani yet they desire to visit Goa for holidays. They could start
practising Konkan from the above link for the next visit to Goa and the
adults could
in the meantime brush up our mother tongue.
Mog assundi
Oscar C. Lobo.
