Pearl D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Mar 11: If there were a guide that documented Portuguese influence on Goa's culture and language concisely and precisely, it would be Prof Dr Edward de Lima's 'Influence of Portuguese Vocabulary on Konkani Language'.
Published by Vikram Publication in 2014 first, this capsule of rich Goan heritage, is a short documentation of Goan history, during the Portuguese time. Although, unlike a comprehensive retelling of Goan history, the book focuses solely on the Portuguese influence, who ruled Goa for almost 450 years. Thus, having a more obvious impact on Konkani language and the Goan culture.
Goa, as the commercial centre in those days, was influenced by the Portuguese on various domains, ranging from religion, attire, jewellery, customs, food, to the native language.
The book is a combination of a glossary of Portuguese terms imported into Konkani over the years and a well-researched prologue. There are a select few pictures that give a refreshing view of the attires of Goans in those times. This combination walks the reader through history where the Portuguese culture and language get etched in Goa, parallel to the growth and decline of Konkani.
Thus the influence of the Portuguese and their language on religion, the state affairs and everyday language of the Goans and from being a coercive language to a slightly more hegemonic one, forms the essence of the book.
Glossary
Words tell history. "Both useful and interesting, it comprises words borrowed from Portuguese into Konkani, in a linguistic and etymological study of Konkani," says the author.
The glossary enlists Konkani words of Portuguese origin, with an English translation to them. While the appendix carries a list of Portuguese names that have undergone changes and been adopted by Konkani speakers.
The glossary is a time capsule that displays a larger cultural realm, in just a few enlisted words. It does not bore the reader with a mundane chronological retelling of history.
Foreword
The foreword gives the reader a certain perspective for easily glancing through the rest of the book. It also reiterates the need to entrench the language and strengthen it thenceforth, in a world where languages regularly slide into complete obliteration.
In the foreword, Fr Mousinho de Ataide from Goa, in 2013 writes about Konkani being the daughter of Sanskrit which provides structure, vocabulary and a platform for growth to the former. He compares Konkani to its sister language Marathi which has a wider readership and has official patronage, unlike the former's lukewarm official support.
The author defends Portuguese words that are integrated into the Konkani language, says Ataide, about the work.
Prologue
The author pens how, the many dialects of Konkani reflect the influence of various invaders over history. The book primarily focuses on the development of language and culture of Goa in tandem with the wave of Portuguese influence.
The wave, like a bell curve, tapers off at the beginning and the end. The influence of Portuguese is minimal up to 1625, and then grows, only to see a decline in the modern days, where English as a language is all pervasive.
The book captures the story of the Portuguese language itself, where it was initially made compulsory for Christians. Over time, it was adopted by choice by the masses as it was the language that distinguished the governing class. However, this increasing influence of Portuguese reduced the scope for any other language to grow. Konkani was one such language.
The struggle between the two languages Portuguese and Konkani, to establish themselves in Goa, is well noted by the author.
The book recounts the contribution of Jesuits and Franciscans, and later the very own 'sons of the soil' to Konkani. Surprising to many will be the transition of the missionaries themselves in their efforts towards learning the language, to reduce barriers between the rules and the ruled. They reverted to Portuguese, teaching it to the commoners after trying to learn Konkani themselves. During their initial days, as they learnt the language, they documented it in Romi Script. This study forms the foundation of the research on Konkani.
The 'Christianization of locals' contributing to the seeping in of Portuguese lifestyle and language is also well captured by the author.
The book aims to standardise Konkani which now has many dialects, and give a literary platform and an enriched vocabulary to the language.
Dr Lima has eight other books to his credit by the publication.
Born in 1946, Dr Lima completed his education in Goa and then went on to teach English Literature, Communication Skills and Business Communication at D M College of Arts Science and Commerce for 35 years. Dr Lima retired as reader and head, Department of English, D M College of Arts and Science, Assangaon
The author can be reached on his mobile : 9370167715
Publishers:
Vikram Publications
515, Limavaddo
Porvorim, Bardez, Goa - 403501
Tel: (0832) 2413573