http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Goa/Romi_Konkani_move_elicits_mixed_reaction/rssarticleshow/3535809.cms
Romi Konkani move elicits mixed reaction 28 Sep 2008, 0544 hrs IST,TNN PANAJI: The recommendation of the advisory board of the official language cell to allow the use of Konkani in Roman script for official communication received a mixed response, but some felt it would help dispel the friction between groups over the controversy over use of scripts. "It is a good step as it will help unite both camps and help the cause of the language," Vincy Quadros, a Konkani writer and poet said. Stating that people in any section should not feel discriminated, he said that the row over the script had unnecessarily created bad blood in the Konkani world. Agreed N Shivdas, Konkani novelist, "If people need a certain script for their understanding, why rake up a controversy over it?" Naik pointed out that the use of Roman script by government agencies or for official purposes is nothing new. In the past slogans, pamphlets and matter for wider coverage through public displays, especially by the health department was being written in the Roman script. Konkani lovers feel that if the government assures them that their correspondence will be replied to in the Roman script, many will use it for official purpose. "Those conversant with it will use it and not English as some do now," Quadros said. However, N Shivdas, who has written in the Roman script for many years, pointed out that the Official Language Act should not be amended at all. "It is better to maintain status quo on the language issue, but Roman script needs to be protected," he said. The government has recently pursued a couple of initiatives, especially setting up of a tiatr academy, bowing to demands from protagonists of the Roman script. Naik also points out that the issue of the Roman script should not be identified with any community or religion. "Identifying the script with a particular religion or community is bad. Anybody can write in any script," he said. Prashant Naik said that approving of the use of the Roman script for official communication will spur other linguistic groups. "We may end up with demands from every section to reply to communication in their own languages," Naik said. * * * http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/28/stories/2008092851300300.htm Goa firm on implementation of Official Language Act Special Correspondent Goa University urges Government to set up a centre for Konkani studies Website for the Directorate of Official Language to be launched soon PANAJI: The Goa Government on Friday decided to take steps to implement the State Official Language Act (OLA) in State administration. Preparation of administrative terminology, training to government officials in Konkani language and publication of Official Gazette in official language were some of the issues discussed at length at a meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on Friday. The meeting decided to constitute a subcommittee under the chairmanship of MP Shantaram Naik to study various aspects of the issue of use of official language in the administration. The subcommittee will submit its report by December 15. At the meeting, it was informed that there was a proposal of the Goa University requesting the State Government to set up a centre for Konkani studies. The Chief Minister said that an appropriate decision would be taken on the proposal only after a thorough study. A website for the Directorate of Official Language would also be launched soon, said officials of the directorate. Faced with the pressure from Marathi language protagonists on one hand and the proponents of Roman script demanding equal status on the other, the State Government has been dilly dallying for long over measures to implement the Act. The State's OLA passed in 1987 after a major agitation made Konkani in Devnagari script the official language of Goa and provided for use of Marathi for all official purposes. * * * http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Romi_Konkani_in_offices_soon/rssarticleshow/3532770.cms Romi Konkani in offices soon 27 Sep 2008, 0355 hrs IST, Raju Nayak,TNN PANAJI: Supporters of Konkani in the Roman script tasted victory, when the advisory board of the official language cell at its meeting on Friday recommended the use of Konkani in Roman script in government offices. After the government formally approves the recommendation, Konkani in the Roman script will be permitted for communication purposes, and government employees may submit applications, appeals or representations in that script along with Konkani in Devnagari and Marathi. The meeting took place after some 30 months since the last one. The decision gains significance as the Roman script is not recognised under the Official Language Act. The Act states, "Konkani language means Konkani language in Devnagari script". Various groups, including tiatr artists, had been demanding recognition for the Roman script. As per the provision, any employee desiring an order or a notice relating to service matters in a particular language or script, shall have it. At Friday's meeting, the advisory cell decided to devise legal and technical terminology in the Konkani language. In the absence of such terminology, decisions regarding the publication of the Gazette in the official language and the appointment of language officers in government offices remains without being implemented. "Without technical terminology it would be difficult to publish the Gazette in the local language, therefore it is advisable to first prepare the terminology to avoid any inconvenience later," CM Digambar Kamat said. Official languages director Menino Peres, told TOI that the government has prepared the terminology for administration and botany, but for the Gazette and appointment of language officials, legal terminology and a thesaurus and dictionary were required. * * *
