Let us be Proud of our Mother Tongue

May 16, 2010

A few years ago when I was in school, one of my far relatives got married in Mangalore.  She was born and brought up in Dubai with her brother and had a good Konkani background. Later, her brother moved to USA and started working there.

Coming to the wedding part, well, I heard one of my relatives saying, the whole wedding was conducted in English and not even a single word of Konkani was used except during the raising of toast by her brother. The brother was appreciated for raising the toast in Konkani and being true to his Konkani upbringing.  The guests were listening silently to what can be called as ‘pure Konkani’ without adulteration of angrezi words.   I was just surprised and wanted to meet the man to hear him speak Konkani but never got an opportunity to meet.

I do remember reading an article on Konkani language by Anil D Souza in the month of March 2010 in daijiworld about the history and the present situation of Konkani.  In his article he begins with a question “Hey kid do you speak Konkani?” and the answer goes this way “What? NO NO, My Grandparents used to”.

Well, adding to this I have to share a few experiences I have gone through with regard to our mother tongue Konkani. A few years ago, one of my relatives was sent to Mumbai and was studying in a convent school managed by nuns. After about a year of joining there, her cousin called her from Dubai to have a chat with her. When he was talking to her in Konkani, she continued the conversation in Queen’s language. Her cousin was taken aback by this sudden change as their conversation from childhood has always in Konkani.  Unperturbed by this volte face this man continued and the conversation went on in Konglish (Konkani+English).

The shock treatment came finally when she said “brother if would be good if you could speak to me in English as I have forgotten Konkani”.  My cousin is not the only one to exhibit such an attitude and repulsion towards Konkani.  It is the common story among Konkani speaking people. When we go away from our homeland we behave or pretend to have forgotten our mother tongue.  Many Catholics feel speaking in Konkani is a shame and an embarrassment whereas speaking in English elevates their status in the society.    We care a damn to slap our mother tongue saying we have forgotten the language through which we were breathing, eating and drinking. 

To cite another incident I got to visit a relative of mine few years back when I was in Bangalore. My aunt’s kids were of my age and some were quite elder to me and some younger as well. All had come down to Mangalore during Christmas holidays. As my mom asked me to pay a visit to them I went to visit them.   Soon after entering their house I began to doubt whether I had entered the wrong house or my own aunt’s house.  My doubts arose from the fact that no one in the house other than the old man spoke Konkani.  I could not believe myself as just two years back when I was living in the same house none of them could speak proper English and suddenly within no time they decided to converse only in English as they were away from the town.  Along with the children the mother too was conversing in broken English which really sounded weird and grotesque.   When I was conversing with them in Konkani their response was in English as if the queen of London had asked them to speak only this language.  As I continued speaking in Konkani I happened to ask one of my cousins whom I called dattu (brother) “dattu how come you guys don’t speak Konkani? His answer was disgusting to say the least.  “Oh! Konkani! It is an old man’s langauge.  By learning this language one is not benefitted in any way.  So what is the point in speaking this language?  We hardly understand and speak as we were away from Mangalore for 2 years and did not get a chance to converse in Konkani…”. 

Gosh! I must say his reply surprised me and I felt like laughing.  I kept wondering how people can forget their mother tongue within a short period of just 2 years.    I felt saddened by their attitude and it kept bogging me down for many more days.  


Many questions bubble up in my mind such as why are we shy to say “I know Konkani”? If we continue to behave this way what example do we teach our kids, and how does the next generation carry forward our language and our tradition?   As Anil D'Souza has said in his article “we should learn a lesson or two from Keralites and Tamilians. Whenever two Keralites meet, they tend to speak mostly in Malayalam and when we Mangaloreans meet, we try to help each other by speaking in the QUEENS LANGAUAGE”

We, the present generation have to keep in mind that we should continue to speak this language and teach our kids also. There is nothing wrong in learning or knowing numerous languages. Let’s teach our kids our mother tongue along with other languages as well. Let them be proud of their mother tongue. I have seen a few cases where the older people in the house had no knowledge of English and their grand children raised outside Mangalore had no roots of Konkani at all.  One can imagine the scenario when such grandparents and grandchildren meet.  They cannot communicate with each other or express their feelings, their love or what they feel about.   Even if they express their feelings they cannot understand what they say to each other. This actually builds a communication gap between the grandparents and grandchildren and the relationship tends to remain just so so.  I think the parents of these children should try to be in the shoes of their parents to know their predicament when faced with such circumstances.     

Let’s be proud of our Konkani language which has good heritage and history. Its one of the Indo Aryan languages, spoken in the Konkan region and the adjoining coastal areas of India like Konkan division of Maharashtra, Goa, Canara, i.e. coastal Karnataka and a few pockets in Kerala.

When we talk about the history, Konkani as a language, flourished in Goa. Konkani language was developed primarily in Gomantak, now Goa in the Konkan region. There are two theories regarding the origin of Konkani. One says that the Brahmins, who lived along the banks of the Saraswati River, must have migrated to Gomantak during the period when seismic activity in the Himalayas made the river run underground around 1900 BC. Their own dialect of Shauraseni Prakrit, over the time evolved into modern Konkani. Another theory states that Konkani is a Sanskritised version of a language spoken by the Kokna tribe and the Aryans who came to the Konkan picked up the language and added various Sanskrit words.

When we have such a wonderful heritage, instead of destroying it, let’s nourish it by taking individual responsibility just by talking to our kids and teaching them. Let’s be proud and say “Yes I know Konkani and I am a proud speaker of Konkani”. Let’s encourage people who want to do something for preserving Konkani culture. When we pat the back of those who have done a lot to the Konkani culture, we will also try to do something for it. In the mean time, a big thanks you to all the poets, writers and thinkers who have contributed to their might to keep the pennant of language and culture flying high.  

by Jess Lobo, Belthangady, Kuwait
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Comment on this article

  • Ravindra Rao, Bangalore

    Sun, Nov 13 2011

    Will somebody please tell me the Konkani words for half brother/ half sister (one common parent) and step brother /step sister (no common parent)?

  • Venkat Prabhu, Cochin (Kochi)/Mumbai

    Thu, Jun 10 2010

    Hi Jess, First of all, I must say "Hats off" to you, because this is the first time ever I read an article written by anyone about our mother tongue "Konkani" and preserving it and teaching the new generation to keep the language alive. I am born and brought up in Cochin and now settled in Mumbai for the past 25 years.

    I have a 5 year old daughter who is also very fluent in speaking Konkani. We always speak Konkani at home or wherever we may be. Even when we mix with our neighbours or friends when we attend any cultural/society functions also, we always converse in Konkani with our relatives or Konkani friends. We have noticed some people raising their eyebrows as they cannot understand our language and some people have asked us what language do we speak.

    Since we are from Kerala, we all can write, read and speak Malayalam and we teach Malayalam to our daughter also apart from English and Hindi as well. I can speak and understand 7 different languages and I always believe that learning different languages is always an asset as it helps you to easily converse with people when you travel to different states within India.

    Like someone mentioned earlier, I too have many Catholic (Goan & Mangalorian) friends who do not know Konkani, but say that they understand it as their Parents or Grand Parents used to speak in Konkani. I am very proud to be a Konkani and will surely spread our Mother Tongue anytime and anywhere. Long Live "Konkani" Basha. Be a proud Konkani infront of others.

  • Prathima N Kamath, Mangalore/Bangalore

    Sun, Jun 06 2010

    Hi Jess,
    This is a really good article that you have written. I totally agree with the contents of your article. Mother tongue is something that makes each of us unique from the other person. I used to live in USA for 15 years. My parents ensured that I speak only in Konkani at home. Sometimes, if I spoke in English, they would not reply. But whenever I would meet relatives of family friends my age, they would speak to me in English, while I would speak in Konkani. Once I had visited India when I was 8 years old. My grandparents and I visited so many relatives and family friends, and they used to feel hesitant to speak to me because they thought that I did not know Konkani. It was funny because they would start speaking in English and I would immediately reply in Konkani. You should have seen the look on their face! I don't understand why some people are ashamed to speak in their mother tongue in foreign countries. Whenever something is part of our culture, we should nurture it and spread it to the rest of the world...Not hide it and be ashamed. I encourage all parents to teach their children their mother tongue and ensure they speak it no matter where they live in the world.

  • Navin, Bombay

    Fri, May 21 2010

    Good article. Don't understand why the youngsters these days are so ashamed of Konkani. Will forward this article to all my English speaking cousins.

  • Arnold A, Mangalore / Bangalore

    Fri, May 21 2010

    Hi Jess,

    I try and go onto the daijiworld website whenever I have a few minutes.

    Firstly, I am really impressed reading your article. I have settled in Melbourne and to tell you the truth - we make every effort to talk in Konkani. I try and mingle with people speaking our mother tongue or who speak Kannada. I love my country - mera Bharat Mahan.

    One thing I would like to highlight is when we go out to parties we have this particular individual who happens to be a true Mangalorean. Everytime you talk to him in Konkani he replies in English. His English is seriously crap / pathetic - see the attitude.

    I talk to my wife whenever we are together be it at train stations or at home in Konkani and there are have been a few acknowledgements / appreciation from a few individuals, total strangers to us, who come and appreciate and offer their positive comments that we speak in Konkani - most of them have been born and bought up in Mumbai.

    We try and make efforts to teach our daughter Konkani - she knows a few words / sentences. We sincerely regret that she does not know Konkani fluently but unfortunately when she was small she was taken care by a Gujarati, then a Parsi and she got so mixed she was talking in her own strange language(I hope we could have recorded the same - this was 13 years ago).We then decided to bring about unanimity we requested all baby sitters to only speak in English.We will strive and make every effort to teach her Konkani, Kannada and Hindi.

  • Walter, Udupi/Mumbai

    Thu, May 20 2010

    Very nice article. We, the Mangalorean RC from anywhere in the world, are looking for name and fame and nothing else. See the other community in india. The Gujarathis, Punjabis, Malayalis, Tamil etc. We should learn from them. I think we have not achieved like them anymore. In US, Canada, UK, for example, the Gujaratis, Punjabis, are in higher level and achieved a lot. For spoiling our mother tongue Konkani, the convent schools are also responsible. Shame on us.

  • Rammohan, Puttur

    Thu, May 20 2010

    Good article. My daughter who is settled in U S asks her growing children to speak in mother tongue only.

  • Lawrence Mascarenhas, USA

    Thu, May 20 2010

    English is the International language and mastering english can take to the hieghts of your profession outside India. Though it is our duty to preserve the monther tongue and pass it on to the future generation, at the cultural, social and religious functions, we must use the language that is most understood by the audience present.

    I must admit that I have failed in my duty to pass on my mother tongue to my generation so as many of my Konkani friends here in the US. The awareness of preserving Konkani started aggressively for the last 10 years. Credit must go to Maand Sobaan, Daijidubai and those who have started Konkani Associations around the world. It is too late for some of us now. Once our sons and daughters monther tongue become english, it is very hard to change it to konkani.

    Congratulations to the young writer Jess Lobo. Good luck in your future articles.

  • adshenoy, mangloor

    Thu, May 20 2010

    Dear Jess Lobo,

    I read your comments, it made me to write this para.

    Your expresssions display your sincerity and humility at its best. You write very well. The writings are simple and best basic English language which I call "Plain language" rather than using English lingo. This is what I encourage to write rather than difficult English words or mediums.

    Your love for Konkani is the best thing you can pass on to the next generation. Perhaps many will not do this for many reasons and many are perhaps regretting for having lost an opportinity.
    Language is an identity. Your father is right and he passed on this identity to you without which you would have been lost in terms of your identity searching for ypur roots one future day.

    Language is a language. Does not matter how many lanuages one speaks but its important one continues the mother tounge, then only one can relate.
    One should not lose what one has but he or she can add more. So goes to languages also. The British never left their identity in their colonial rule- its an identity. Even in India , they were successful in preserving English but they were not successful in eliminating Indian languages because Indian believed in their native identities.
    Now even Konkani becomes extinct which I dont believe, its we the manglaoreans have to take the blame.
    Please continue to write in what you feel strong. Its a legacy.
    There will be criticisms but those criticisms shoult not hinder you.
    Good luck to you.

  • Ambrose Cordeiro, Saudi Arabia

    Thu, May 20 2010

    Nice one Jess Keep it up & God bless you

  • Jawahar Sequeira, Pakshikere,Melbourne

    Thu, May 20 2010

    Hi Jess & All the readers,
    CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!A Very good article indeed.
    I left my hometown Mangalore in the 90’s,to work in Muscat and then to Melbourne(Australia).I remember as a member of MCCP,Muscat, my only suggestion was that everyone should speak and communicate in Konkani as we all hailed from Mangalore and it would feel like home. It took a few years before kids were asked to read the prayers of the faithful (for Mother Mary’s feast) in konkani, written in English (At least they attempted to do something I appreciate!!)It made us all feel proud. Here too in Melbourne, it’s a slow start but I wish that the Mangalorean community would speak Konkani when we meet .I want to share an incident that happened to me when I first came to Melbourne. I was at the market place when I overheard a family speaking in Konkani. Without a second thought I approached them, and introduced myself. We are friends since then and through them I have met another 25 Konkani speaking families. (In a place like Melbourne normally it’s hard to find) how good is that??? When we all meet we speak konkani, we feel we are in Mangalore even though we are thousands of miles away. Although we are away from Mangalore for many years now, I am proud to speak Konkani & we say our prayers in Konkani.
    So dear Mangaloreans wherever you go keep our Mai Bhaas alive!

  • Thomas Panicker , Kollam, Kuwait

    Thu, May 20 2010

    In reference to Mr. Agnello’s Comment:
    Hey Chill dude!
    Did you read something which I missed? The writer is not against learning other languages but was trying to help a sinking language, unfortunately which is her mother tongue. Each one of us has different thoughts about languages.
    It’s your wish to choose the language that you prefer to talk to your kid, however my son can converse in all most 6 different languages ( Me and my wife did hardly anything for that) it was himself learning. Again it’s your choice what you speak in your house or outside. By the way, where did the writer mention about in Mangalore the Church belongs to Konkani catholic speaking alone? She Speaks about the attitude of people who already knows their mother tongue but are embarrassed or feel ashamed to speak.
    Indian English??? I’m confused! So we have one more language to be added, huh? English is a language that arose in England. Of course we have several dialects!
    Even I would love to see the world a better place! One language, one Religion is a long way! May be we can request Jess to write on it…World is so man… I see even American and British learning Japanese to run their business

  • Lawrence Saldanha, Kanajar/Kuwait

    Thu, May 20 2010

    Dear friends,

    "Dear Mr. Saldanha, both my husband and I have good jobs - but we didnt have to resign because we as family speak fluent konkani."

    If the above is addressed to me, I don't see any relation between the two. It could be wrong wavelength "Undiya Gundanna, mundaasu moovathu mola"

  • Tesey Thomas, Kuwait

    Thu, May 20 2010

    I don’t think a language could make a person to loose a job as I believe the companies measure your performance not on the language but on work, initiative skills and many more things. Moving further, if you read the article, the writer is not against learning many languages, she writes about saving the mother tongue which is deteriorating due to the attitude of people. She talks about what are the measures to be taken to save it we as an individuals. I have small cousins who are raised in Dubai of 2 years and 4 years old who could fluently converse in 4 different languages like Konkani, Hindi, English and Gujarati. It is not about blaming surroundings for your kids not knowing Konkani but about we as parents giving opportunities to learn the language. I am a Malyalee who has written this comment and we are proud of our mother tongue in the mean time I would also say I can speak many languages as well.

  • Tesey Thomas, Kuwait

    Thu, May 20 2010

    Dear Jess, it’s a great article which is exactly right and eye opener for many. When I was reading comments here I used to feel like loughing few comments who has written against learning mother tongue. One of the comments I read is about leaving highly paid job if you have to speak your mother tongue. If you are talking about you have to leave your highly paid job because you speak Konkani, then I would say “You are wrong”. The writer who has written this article is itself is working as “ HR Manager” in one of the known companies in Kuwait at the age of 27. Does she have to leave the job because she speaks Konkani? Her fiancé whom she is going to get married in few days is raised in USA from his childhood and holds a good position in one of the known companies. But still he can speak his mother tongue very well. I would salute his parents for upbringing his culture in him.( Also I would salute many parents like them who are around us) I have seen my own community who are from Kerala and my neighboring state Tamilians holding good positions and running top businesses in Gulf but still they speak their mother tongue to their kids and outside the family. Do you think they have to leave their jobs and close down the business? About me, I am born and raised in Kuwait , I am proud of my parents for teaching my mother tongue along with other languages.

  • michael vigas belthangady, kuwait

    Thu, May 20 2010

    hi sistar thank you for konkani mathar language take care

  • Agnello, Mangalore/Muscat

    Thu, May 20 2010

    Let me pose some questions first:
    1.My son had difficulty in speaking . Nearing 4 he was on single word usage. For academic reason and for communicating with Malyalee , Telugu , Hindi (etc) neighbors and friends we thought we will use single language at home that is English. We were wrong.
    2.My niece fell in love and married a Tamilian. She speaks excellent Konkani and he Tamil but he does not speak Konkani and she Tamil. How will they communicate?
    3.I know all my prayers in Konkani and only ‘Our Father’ in English. The mass which is convenient for me to attend is English. Should I stop going?
    4.In Mangalore does the church belong to only Konkani speaking Catholics?
    5.Is Queens English the right English? Indian English wrong?
    6.Do people who don’t speak their mother tongue insensitive as is generally made out by those who speak?
    7.Isn’t infatuation about your religion, culture, language more divisive and unifying?
    8.If all in the world would practice on religion, one language wouldn’t the world be a better place?
    Personally I feel you and your family/loved ones must be the most important priority What suits you best should be best left to you. Being a good citizen is another important priority. Religion, language, culture should revolve around this.

  • Maria Rodrigues, Mangalore, Dubai

    Thu, May 20 2010

    Well written article....I am in Dubai for the past 15 years and we speak Konkani at home and I also have to admit that our 11 and 10 year children also speak fluent konkani.
    Dear Mr. Saldanha, both my husband and I have good jobs - but we didnt have to resign because we as family speak fluent konkani.

  • Glany Fernandes, Mangalore / Qatar

    Thu, May 20 2010

    Nice article Jess, thanks for reminding everyone that we are Konkans and we have our own language to speak and preserve. I love my mother tounge from bottom of my heart and keep conversing in that until my last breath.

  • Sylvia cordeiro, gerukatte

    Wed, May 19 2010

    Good article keep it up 

  • RONY MENDONCA, Moodbidri/dubai

    Wed, May 19 2010

    Hai Jess nice article. I am also born & brought up in Moodbidri (Mangalore) from last 8 years i am woking in Dubai . I like konkani but circumstances made us force to speak in english especially in church. In gulf we have masses in english we say rosary in english but unfortunately in our native place there is mass in konkani only . so when we come to abroad we have to follow english that means we are not hating konkani. In mangalore every marriage functions are not in english many gulf peoples uses konkani itself . If you read the comments noboddy gave answer in konkani. DEV BORE KORU THUKA

  • Latha, Mangalore / Muscat

    Wed, May 19 2010

    Manohar Veigas Udupi,

    Relevant comment and i wish you to share your knowlwdge about the origin and past history of konkani language spoken by R. C community in Mangalore.

    I often found a lot of discrimination among our Manglorean R C community ,based on the konkani accent we have divided ourselves as BAMON , SARODI & GOWDI'S. People often make fun of those who speak in different accent, reject marriage proposals as well and i believe it is practised only in our community.In that case, should we still feel proud of our RC Konkani? I've even noticed some speak either in Kannada or Tulu ( those who were not seen Mumbai, Gulf or USA ) in public to avoid humiliation.
    I strongly feel this, matter has to be discussed among our community in large and put an end this social stigma.

  • Petronilla, mangalore / muscat

    Wed, May 19 2010

    Relevant comment and I wish you to share your knowledge about the origin and past history of konkani language spoken by R. C community in Mangalore.
    I often found a lot of discrimination among our Manglorean R C community ,based on the konkani accent we have divided ourselves as BAMON , SARODI & GOWDI'S. People often make fun of those who speak in different accent, reject marriage proposals as well and I believe it is practised only in our community.

    In that case, should we still feel proud of our RC Konkani? I've even noticed some speak either in Kannada or Tulu ( those who were not seen Mumbai, Gulf or USA ) in public to avoid humiliation.I strongly feel this, matter has to be discussed among our community in large and put an end this social stigma.

  • Olivia Moras, Puttur / Toronto

    Wed, May 19 2010

    Nice subject Jess. I'm so proud to tell you that I'm expert in all 4 Indian languages. Konkani is my best. Tulu I love it. Mine is Karkala Tulu ( Karlada Tulu), Kannada so sweet. And of course Hindi - it's pure North Indian.
    It's been 18 years since I left India. I was in Dubai & now in Canada. All my 4 Indian languages have only improved over time though It's been Canadian English on the business front here. My comfort level is same with all 5 languages.
    If someone told you they have forgotten Konkani they are lying, I said so. Trust me there is no shame to speak in our mother tongue, no shame to admit we are Indians. When I meet Indian's outside the office hours I go on in our Language till they switch over. Reasons is to save my own ears from torture as their English is so broken & they don't even have a good accent & still want to continue in English, no switch over. We shouldn't be shy to speak Konkani, Tulu or Kannada.

     
    I agree with you & Anil D'souza when you say Keralites & Tamilians are proud of their language command. Not only them we see the French, Spanish & Portuguese are so happy to speak their language all the time. I'm so proud to be a Mangalorean. Long live Konkani.

  • FREDERICK PINTO, MANGALORE/QATAR

    Wed, May 19 2010

    When I was growing up in Mumbai with my brothers & sisters,I found my parents conversing in Konkani among themselves and in Hindi with us,as almost all our neighbours were Hindus.
    Yet,I always loved the Konkani language and I was lucky enough to marry a girl from Mangalore,with whom from Day 1,I have been talking in our mother tongue.
    It's been almost 9 years since our marriage & I am happy to see my 7 yr old daughter talking to her mother in Konkani and with me in English.Among all her her cousins,she is the only one who can speak it well.
    When we were in Vancouver,Canada in December 2008,we visited a grocery to do our daily shopping and as we were speaking in Konkani,a fellow Manglorean came up to us and said, how happy he was to hear us speak.As we did not have a car,he even ped us home.
    That is what I call the power of KONKANI our MOTHER TONGUE.

  • Jess Lobo, Belthangady, Kuwait

    Wed, May 19 2010

    Part 3
    Well, I think one day I will have to come up with an article on my name (Just Kidding). Once again sincere thanks to all and it was thrilling reading your comments over here and after seeing the kind of responses I have promised myself “I would keep writing “

  • Jess Lobo, Belthangady, Kuwait

    Wed, May 19 2010

    (Part 2)
    After my friends read my writings, it used to go to my dad whenever he used to pay a visit to me and later I used to throw them off. As far as my dad used to be happy reading them, I was satisfied with it.
    Then, during my initial stages of college, I wasn’t interested in writing but during my graduation I started writing again and publishing them to Times of India and Deccan Herald for a short period with the same identity. Later I moved away from Mangalore for my masters and was too busy to think of writing, then began to work which was kind of challenge for me. I never made an attempt to write again and forgot for a while, that I used to write once upon a time. After many years, as I moved to Kuwait and was free most of the times after my working hours, I started writing blogs and my colleagues who used to read them started saying “ You write well, start publishing your article”. So one day, I spoke to Walter through facebook and posted my first article to daijiworld after many years. .

    Dear readers, please be noted that I am not against learning different languages. In fact I can converse in Spanish which is also one of the foreign languages. I am a great fan of my mother tongue and many Konkani singers, writers and thinkers. I love to hear Konkani songs than say I hear English or Spanish music. My love towards my mother tongue made me to write this article which I wanted to write since long.(to be continued)

  • Jess Lobo, Belthangady, Kuwait

    Wed, May 19 2010

    Hi All,
    Well, when I was writing this article, I knew there would be conflicts on my name which I use as my identity for my writings, as many believe it as English form of my name. Well, my name is Greek based and ofcourse my parents call me “ Jessie” and when their love increases towards me, certain times they call me “Jess” ( which is Hebrew based means God exist) even including my brothers.There is a long story behind this.
    During my childhood before learning English or Kannada my dad taught me to read and write Konkani. According to him it’s kind of tough to read and write, and if I learn to read and write Konkani I can read Kannada easily. Then automatically it was not difficult for me to learn Kannada and before I got into 1st std, dad taught me English as well to read and write fluently after him learning from my cousin ( My dad just studied 3rd Std)
    When I was in 6th I started writing short stories, poems in Konkani. My dad is the one who used to read them and he suggested me to have “Jess Lobo” as my identity for my writings. I moved away from home for my high school and continued writing, but dad wasn’t there to read them first. So I had to share with my friends who used to stay with me in the hostel in Kinnigoli. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to share them with my classmates as I had one or two who could hardly read Konkani as I studied in English medium in Little Flower High School. (Part 1)

  • Lawrence Saldanha, Kanajar/Kuwait

    Wed, May 19 2010

    Dear friends,

    "By the way is 'Jess' your english form of Jessy?! "

    That's a good one.

    It was Mumbai Mangaloreans who started enforcing Konglish on their children way back in early thirties, which of course followed by Gulfies. It is easy for us to blame parents today as we are better educated to deal with situations but for those (particularly Mangalorean Catholic women) who have gone through atrocities of their spouses (husbands) and then their employers in Mumbai or in the Gulf, their only motto in life is to protect the child from miseries they suffered. Majority of today's Gulfies has a root to those attrocities. Our stomach is now full and we are safe, so we can think of luxuries and ridicule our parents but try to step into their shoes and see, somewhere the mother's inner feelings will echo into your ears.

  • Darrel Pereira, Bajpe / Muscat

    Wed, May 19 2010

    Tumche barap vasun bari bore jhale. Amka manglur gaarank englishache tikke vare laghla..paank laglya bori. Sootvonk khest.

  • Lloyd, Bajpe/Chennai

    Wed, May 19 2010

    Wonderful Article Jess!

  • Prashant, Mangalore

    Tue, May 18 2010

    A very good article to remind us that soon our Konkani language will be extinct unless we keep on with our mother tongue first at home and then in the community. There are certain elements which I have observed have caused the decline in the usage of Konkani.

    1. In the 1960's and 70's when the Gulf boom started many a Mangaloreans who had good command over English got into better positions in the Gulf and this somehow built an inferiority complex in the minds of those who were struggling with English. This caused the begining of teaching the newborns English right from the infantile stage however broken might be the usage of teaching English.

    2. Ignorance of infant's extraordinary grasping ability to gain knowledge has been another major cause. Parents are still not aware that the child can pick up as many languages as possible within the first five years and also well into the early school years. The general feeling is to implant English in the brains of the child and teaching any other language may be hindrance to this effort!

    If only if we are aware of this truth then we will be able to teach our children to speak our mother tongue and the child will speak all other languages as well.

    The most important thing I have observed is that while the parents speak broken English to their children , the same children speak better English and put the parents to shame in public. Shameless parents still feel proud!!!

    By the way is 'Jess' your english form of Jessy?!

  • Ostin Pinto, Muscat /Sasthan

    Tue, May 18 2010

    Really really appreciate the works of Jess Lobo. Quite close to the real picture of our Mangy families living in Bombay, Gulf or West.

  • Norma, Saudi / Belthangady

    Tue, May 18 2010

    Jessi it’s a wonderful article. You have exemplified the hesitation of people to talk in konkani. Many people avoid talking in konknai because they want to teach their kids English at the early age. I don’t know why they feel their kid can not learn two languages, mean while they force their kid to learn French and other foreign languages later in life.

    We never have been proud about our language, our heritage so we try to imitate others than being on our own. The attitude towards our language should change then automatically we will speak in konknai proudly.

    And about writing in konknai, presently we are using kannada script to show case our language. Leave talking in konkani, how many of us know to read konkani. Very few!!! One day we might use English script to write konkani. Don’t you think so?

  • Suman, Mangalore/kuwait

    Tue, May 18 2010

    This article is meant for all the parents who do not teach konkani to their kids.

  • Edward, India

    Tue, May 18 2010

    Nice frank article. And a little brave too.

  • Jess Lobo, Belthangady, Kuwait

    Tue, May 18 2010

    Dear Readers,
    Greetings from Jess . I hereby thank Daijiworld.com for publishing my article, and also my sincere thanks to all my readers who have read it. It was so nice to see so many responses which have touched me. I wanted to write the article on Konkani language, our mother tongue since long, and finally it came true. The kind of responses which I received here made me to feel " Yes I should write " Once again thanks for your love and support.

  • Lawrence Saldanha, Kanajar/Kuwait

    Tue, May 18 2010

    " If you dont speak Konkany in Mangalore, you dont have rights to speak tulu in Mangalore, English abroad,Kannada at Bangalore and Marahati at Mumbai and so on"

    This is the height of linguistic extremism.

  • Arun, Mangalore

    Tue, May 18 2010

    today to maintain standard you give up your mother tounge tomorow u ll give up mother land and similarly one day to maintain standard u ll give up ur mother also..

  • Allan, Taccode/Bangalore

    Tue, May 18 2010

    Hi,

    Nice article with the coverage of good evidences. Let us show the love & respect to our Mother Tongue and do not bend the heads to say "I know Konkani". Feel proud about Konkani! Lamb jiyom amchi Konkani...

  • Jean Anette, Bahrain

    Tue, May 18 2010

    It is silly to blame the author for writing in English, and it is also silly to claim that if our children speak konkani then we have to resign our " high paid jobs" and work in paddy fields. It just exposes our Cheap mentality.

  • Thomas Saldanha, Kanajar / Dubai

    Tue, May 18 2010

    "Do what you preach! or (is it)preach what you not do?"

    The fact that this article was written in English is in itself a testimony of the current uncertain state of konkanni langauge. I liked the reply in konkanni script by one of our readers, it shows that he is committed to his language.

    Konkanni language will never die as long as you preserve your own identity, culture, and unique konkan traditions.

    Language (a communication protocol though) is an identity of our place, its culture & traditions. Once you give up the latter two, you will lose your language too.

    Whom to blame? Globalization? Migration in search of jobs? Is it practical to enforce Konkanni to our metro/gulfy children to the extent of celebrating their birthday parties in konkanni, or strictly instruct them to speak mostly in konkanni when they play with your friends. Or is it enough that we husband & wife speak in konkanni at home, & our kids occasionally respond in konkanni. If you expect your children to speak in konkanni, you may have to resign from your highly paid job and work in the paddy fields. So let's not make an issue if our children cannot converse fluenly in konkanni, again parents are not at fault. Globalization is the answer my friends!

  • L N Rego, Bendur

    Tue, May 18 2010

    Good Article even though its a common feeling you have expressed it boldly, some observations.
    1. Most of the people speak Konkani but they hesitate in public as the writer rightly said it is "Status" which makes them not to speak Konkani.

    2. It has become a Fashion in mnaglore to organise the functions in English even Majority crowd is Konakni speaking and most of the time majority doesnt enjoy Englsih still the family wants it to have in English(Even i do mcing In english)Moreover we have some 'event organisers' who insist for English. This has really made a mess of our social functions.
    3. Some of the comments as i read, people have mentioned Language is for communication so it doesnt matter which language you speak, If this is the case why cant you speak Konkani, tulu, Kannada or Atleast Hindi? Hahaa English is always goes with status.
    4. Let us feel proud about our mother tongue Konkani and feel proud to speak in Konkani and to teach konkani to our younger generation thats the only way to keep us united.
    Once again Congratulations to Jessy.

  • Fathima, Mangalore

    Tue, May 18 2010

    Thanx for this wonderful article.. it will really help people who always talk in english and are ashamed to talk in their mother tongue, this thing mostly happens wen i meet my friends. Sometimes i go just weird why people always talk in english wen they knw their mother tongue, but still i am proud of my mother tongue and will respond to a person in my mother tongue when i knw we both speak the same language.

  • Deepak Kumar, Mangalore

    Mon, May 17 2010

    Jean Anette, Bahrain ....
    “Before commenting on others, kindly check your English grammar”.
    “Also remember to remove the plank from your own eye before pointing out to the speck in your brother’s eye “.
    I need not say anything more!!!!

  • Cypriyan, Abu Dhabi / Belthangady

    Mon, May 17 2010

    Good one Jess, keep it up. I appreciate your contribution about giving such a enormous article, which would help those poor konglish not to regret the mother tongue.

  • adsheony, mangloor

    Mon, May 17 2010

    A language is your only cultural identity. You lose it when you dont use it. So friends, preserve it.

    Ulaya amchi baas ani shikoya tumcha burgyank konkni amchi mai baas.

  • Manohar Veigas, UDUPI

    Mon, May 17 2010

    Let's enrich the Konkani language and the Mangalorean Konkani language spoken by R.C. community by sharing the light on its past history. After referring to various books and articles written by renowned historians and writers, I would like to share my understanding that ancestors of Mangalorean Catholics consisting of settlers from Kundapura, Udupi and D.K. migrated enmass from North Goa for reasons which historians differ perhaps beacause of famine or Portugese persecution in North Goa on both Hindus and Convert-Catholics. Even today, we can see the dialet spoken by us here is similar to that spoken in North Goa rather than that of South Goa. The famous konkani Song, "Aami Doghi Sezhara" is one of the oldest Konkani Song sung by Goan Singer from North Goa but see the wordings and pronounication, it resembles our dialect. The reason why our dialect didn't mix with the local language words, is becuase of the Bible scriptures and sermon in konkani, on which lot of research was done in Mangalore by the Seminaries then whereas in Goa the konkani language was under the scanner by the Portuguese. Sharing our opinion on rich history of our language will always prompt us to atleast equate it with our adopted English language at Home.

  • Walter Pereira, Mangalore / Shenzhen, China

    Mon, May 17 2010

    Dear Jess,
    Great article.
    I can fluently converse in Chinese, Korean, English, French, Russian, Bulgarian, Tulu and of course Konkani.
    Whenever anyone asks what is my mother tonggue, I am proud to say "Konkani".
    My mother tongue not only bonds me to the parents I was born to, but to the culture I was taught,and my family values.
    Cheers! Walter.

  • Gerald Menezes, Mangalore

    Mon, May 17 2010

    I strongly disagree with many instances of this article.Language is for communication of ideas and it can be in any language.I agree it is well written but the idea here doesnt serve any meaning.

  • Max & Jessie Rasquinha, Mangalore, Houston,Tx

    Mon, May 17 2010

    The languages play an important role in various situations, customs, traditions and practices. We all have to adapt ourselves with others in order to make "Globalization" into reality. Side by side, preservation of our own cultural background is essential. This is where our mother-tongue, mother-land and mother-India comes into play. I was asked to raise a toast recently on Mother's Day and I explained to them how the words such as "Mai", "Amma", "Thai" and many other languages are so dear to us that we recite in our own minds and hearts in our own secret way. The spirit of "Internationalism" is part of our daily survival.

    Our own mother-tongue is a precious gift, and the gift of any language is virtually a weapon for our daily upkeep and survival. Language is a nice topic that needs everyone's input. Our own language is a part of our heritage that we should be proud wherever we are, whoever we are and whatever we do. 53 years of being away from "Mungalooru" is a long way and long time indeed. Qudha Afeiz.

  • Stany D'sa , Balehonnur/Dubai

    Mon, May 17 2010

    If our mother tongue is Konkani, it can die only when when we die physically. If anyone forget their mother tongue Konkani, I have a very simple formula - just pour a jug of boiling water on their back and instantly they will Speak fluent Konkani.Jai Ho Konkani.

  • Vincent, Mangalore/Dubai

    Mon, May 17 2010

    Well done Jess......keep it up.

  • preet d'souza, beltangadi

    Mon, May 17 2010

    Still we reluctant to liberate from British culturally
    There is no harm to adapt good manners, technology, education from foreign language/culture. But not blindly mimic like parrot. The identity/root should not forget.
    The difference of languages are not wrong, rather a sign from God and the difference of our languages and colors

  • Nisha, Mangalore/Bangalore

    Mon, May 17 2010

    Heya Jessy!!

    Must apreciate.. good job.. but the ironical part is the article about Konkani is written and commented on, in English... Ain't that wierd?
    But lets keep conversing in Konkani.. like we always do.. :)

    Hope to see more of such articles from you..!!
    God Bless!

    P.S. Create a Konkani group on FB.. n lets rock... in Konkani only!

  • Judith Pereira, Pangla/Abu Dhabi

    Mon, May 17 2010

    Beautiful article. Since we are talking about Konkani language, could you please publish this article in Konkani so that maximum benefit could be achieved.

  • Jean Anette, Bahrain

    Mon, May 17 2010

    Mangaloreans dont speak english, they strugglge in english. Hear any parent speak to the child, or attend any mangalorean program abroad, you will see.

  • ARUN, belvai

    Mon, May 17 2010

    hey jessy.. its really a good one.. i am always for konkani and you know it very well.. keep it up

  • Jaimini P.B., Manipal,Sharjah

    Mon, May 17 2010

    Dear Jemiyar...Good comment.Malayalis create opportunity to speak Malayalam. A very good example is Mr.Shashi Taroor who spoke 3-4 lines in Malayalam in Parliament(quote from famous poet) after resigning on IPL issue. This english speaking trend mostly in all parts of Karnataka. People start speaking in English even if they don't know the difference between " IS & WAS" . You can see Kannada ULISI or Tulu Ulisi or Konkani Ulisi programme in Karnataka. Because Mangaloreans or Bangaloreans think that English language increases their prestige in the society.So,they speak niether Proper English nor mother tongue.

    But English language should be given high importance because it is an Intl Language and a big link. I still regret for missig good job opportunity in Japanese Co. long back because of my hopeless English. (5 Japanese interviewed me with 2 Indian officials and a translator in Mangalore-1990).

  • Noel F Lewis, Kinnigoli

    Mon, May 17 2010

    " If you dont speak Konkany in Mangalore, you dont have rights to speak tulu in Mangalore, English abroad,Kannada at Bangalore and Marahati at Mumbai and so on"

  • Lavina Noronha, Mangaluru

    Mon, May 17 2010

    An excellent article! The pseudo sophistication of the neo-rich is exposed well. However, it would be an insult to the Queen if we call what hear from those who have been out of the country for a couple of years ‘Queen’s English.’ It is KonGlish which often sounds like gibberish.

    “You have to eat everything no putha?”
    “She left the car and went” (She drove)
    “Do you want to make sussoo?”
    “You have invited the small father, no?” “Big father will do the resper” They mean: “Have you invited the Assistant parish priest? The parish priest will conduct the nuptials.”

    The Queen would be suicidal for sure if she hears our English. Yes, let us be proud of our mother tongue but not mutilate it beyond recognition.

  • Herman, Mulki/Malad/Muscat

    Mon, May 17 2010

    Well said and good worded........... this trend should not continue.. the mother tongue should get due respect.. hats off Jess

  • Sandra Coelho, Goa, Kuwait

    Mon, May 17 2010

    Well said,i liked this artical very much,am proud of this girl who spoke about our Mother Tongue "Konkani" and one more thing to remind, this behaviour is not only in Mangalorean but also with Goan people,as me am proud to be a Goan & am not ashame of speaking Konkani in the mid of thousand people..good going keep it up.. God Bless you

  • jemiyar, kuwait

    Mon, May 17 2010

    Nothing new in the article. Many people have commented that we should speak konkani whenever we get a chance . Dear readers please note that malayalis always speak first malayalam then other languages( english) . They are not waiting for the opportunities. They will create the opportunities. Similarly we mangaloreans should speak konkani every time. Our functions should be totally conducted in konkani language. Most disgusting thing is our priests and nuns ashamed to speak konkani. Some people who are grown in mangalore specially in kannada medium after coming to gulf they start prayers in english . They find uncomfortable in konkani. At first english mass should be stopped in mangalore .

  • jemiyar, kuwait

    Mon, May 17 2010

     Many people have commented that we should speak konkani whenever we get a chance . Dear readers please note that malayalis always speak first malayalam then other languages( english) . They are not waiting for the opportunities. They will create the opportunities. Similarly we mangaloreans should speak konkani every time. Our functions should be totally conducted in konkani language. Most disgusting thing is our priests and nuns ashamed to speak konkani. Some people who are grown in mangalore specially in kannada medium after coming to gulf they start prayers in english . They find uncomfortable in konkani. At first english mass should be stopped in mangalore .

  • Alfred , MUMBAI/MUSCAT

    Mon, May 17 2010

    Hi Jess
    Good you have spent some time penning this article. I, only want to say that whoever says that staying away from Mangalore for only 2 years can forget Konkani which is their mother tongue and who have always been speaking it at home all through their childhood, As for us we are six brother and sister and all of us are born & brought up in Mumbai but we speak very good Konkani at home and with all are relatives in Mumbai our children also speak konkani and we make a point to see that they speak konkani at home, I am proud that we can speak Konkani, So guys dont be ashamed to talk your mother tongue

  • P.Shetty, Uppala / Sharjah

    Mon, May 17 2010

    Well said Jaimini P.B

  • D M D Souza, Bantwal

    Sun, May 16 2010

    These things are experienced by us all. Firstly we donot teach our kids to read Konkani articles written in Kannada alphabets,because we send them to English medium schools & they get very little training to use Kannada there. Then there are those people who embarass us by speaking broken English intermingled with Konkani words, we cannot answer them properly with this Konglish. If they use proper English or Konkani then we are at ease with them. Some people come from Mumbai & talk to each other laced with some konkani,marathi & Hindi.

    I hope we teach some Konkani to to our kids,so that they get to know their true roots, through the language & literature.

  • donald, Toronto

    Sun, May 16 2010

    In North America it is very sinfull for kokanis to speak in their mother tongue and it is below their dignity to speak,And if by chance if you speak to your children in public they are amazed to hear,What a shame on the community

  • les, canada

    Sun, May 16 2010

    MAKE ENGLISH ALPHABETS AS A UNIVERSAL SCRIPT FOR KONKANI SO THAT OUR KIDS ABROAD CAN READ AS WELL

  • Stephan Dsilva, Abudhabi,Mulki

    Sun, May 16 2010

    Thanks...Jess,for reminding some people to still Konkani is there.once i attend one Konkani prog.here and Organisation named in Konkani and hardly few who are talking in konkani and rest all who came to attend the programme speaking in English including organisation committee members.
    Thanks a lot Jess

  • REKHA, belthangady

    Sun, May 16 2010

    good article... keep it up...............

  • mahammed hassan, udupi

    Sun, May 16 2010

    Jess, good guess.i was born in mangalore,educated in udupi,spent mostly out side my mother country[which I love not less than my mom]. at the same time I love my mother  tongue even whereever I am!

  • NAGARAJ, udupi

    Sun, May 16 2010

    Very good article. Not only in konkani. in other cast also same prblem. this is not a mistake of chidren. purley parents. they have to teach mother tounge. Who they forgot their mother tounge they are the murdrer of their own mother.Pls all mangaloreans talk in our own language. at least follow Keralians or Thamils. They will never talk other language. We mangaloreans only. My humble request with every body pls save mother tounge. For your kind information English is not our language. For official it is OK.Who loves their mother they will talk mother tounge

  • VEEDA FERNANDES., SANTHEKATTE/DUBAI.

    Sun, May 16 2010

    Good articlel Jess. Thank you for this article.

  • shammi, Karnataka

    Sun, May 16 2010

    Well written article Jess,...n i really appreciate Jaimini's comment.Happy to know dat she topped in Kannada being malyali.
    I want to say to all dat its not only konkani,even kannada n beary also.Did any1 notice y ALL SPEAK IN ENGLISH.WHAT SO CHARMING IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE,EVNTHOUGH WE WANT OFFICIAL LANGUAGE TO BE THEN Y NOT HINDI,FRENCH,DUTCH OR ARABIC ETC.I asked many abt this.sm dint but sm said coz britishers had colonised the world so they spread it.Is it the only reason we are so so much into english or is there smthing else attractive???apart from my mothertongue i find ARABIC has got the real charm,but very tough language ufff....always words from deep throats.

  • MATILDA, KALLIANPUR / K.S.A.

    Sun, May 16 2010

    I AGREE WITH YOU JESS. WE MANGALOREANS ARE SOMETIME ASHMED TO SPEAK IN KONKANI EVEN WITH OUR FRIENDS, I HAVE NOTICED ONETHING IN KERALITES ONLY MALAYALAM. MAY BE ?THE SECOND INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE. WE MUST LEARN FROM THEM.

  • John Pinto, Chickmagalur/ Qatar

    Sun, May 16 2010

    Hey Jess,
    Thank you for your wonderful article. As you said very few Konkans speak konkani , It is not the mistake of Children ,infact the parents are the cause for it. Many parents do not want their children to learn konkani , fearing that, their child will not lean English . English is a must but we have to make some effort to preserve our culture and Language . LET US BE PROUD OF OUR KONKANI THE LANGUAGE OF GREAT PEOPLE. LONG LIVE KONKANI

  • ester v monteiro, philippines/mangalore

    Sun, May 16 2010

    i am from philipins my childerans are boran in muscat now we are in mangalore and my childeran are speaking good konkani when my father-in- law comes to us visit only they speak konkani they use to ask in the school with other children how to speak konkani in the school..

  • Reyan, Belthangady,Kuwait

    Sun, May 16 2010

    Congrats Jess for an outstanding article. Very good one! keep writing

  • munna, bangalore

    Sun, May 16 2010

    I DONT COMPLETELY AGREE WITH U... COZ THE ONE WHO HAS GOT GOOD COMMAND OVER ENGLISH
    & IF SHE/HE CAN ALSO SPEAK GOOD KONAKNI THEN THEY ARE PRAISED FOR THEIR LOVE TOWARDS THEIR MOTHER TOUNGE... IMAGINE THE ONE WHO CAN SPEAK ONLY IN KONAKANI....?DO U THING HE/SHE WILL GET THE SAME ATTENTION...?

  • ophelia Dsouza, miyar/karkala/melbourne

    Sun, May 16 2010

    Hey Jess,
    very good article.I always think we mangloreans finding hard to talk in konkani in manglorean functions in gulf .we should be pround that we are multi linguist it is hard for our parents and relatives to communicate with our kids .Iam really proud of my kids that they can communicate fluently in konkani even they dont live in India.
    keep writing more articles.wish you good luck.

  • Clinton, New Delhi

    Sun, May 16 2010

    I surely agree with the article. We should be proud of using our mother tongue. Atleast, that would show that we care for our roots and to compensate bringing shame in so many other ways.

  • Vivian Fernandes, Mangalore/UAE

    Sun, May 16 2010

    Nice Article.....But what to say in this competitive world all parents wants their children to be "KONGLISH" not english , so our Rosary became "Sajjige Bajil" mixed with english. Todays childrens doesnt know Amcha Baapa they only knows OUR Father ...

  • Henry Buckleworth, California

    Sun, May 16 2010

    Yup, I do agree, one should be proud of using his/her mother tongue but not about speaking about the people who use it.
    I definitely agree on this point.

  • Henry Buckleworth, California

    Sun, May 16 2010

    Yup, I do agree, one should be proud of using his/her mother tongue but not about speaking about the people who use it.
    I definitely agree on this point.

  • Peter, Brahmavar/Sharjah

    Sun, May 16 2010

    Jess ! Not Konkani origin. Best article and wake up call for all Konkani speaking people around the world. Even in Dubai some people preaching in Konkani and even their Children do not know Our father or Hail Mary in Konkani.

  • Lancy Pinto Nayak, Kulshakear/ Kuwait

    Sun, May 16 2010

    ಮೊಗಾಚ್ಯಾ ಜೆಸ್,
    ಉಲ್ಲಾಸಾಚೆ ತುರೆ ತುಕಾ.
    ಭಾಸ್ ಸಂಪರ್ಕಾಚೆಂ ಮಾಧ್ಯಮ್ ಸೊಡ್ಲ್ಯಾರ್ ಜಾಣ್ವಾಯ್ ನ್ಹಯ್.
    ಆಮ್ಕಾಂ ಬ್ರಿಟಿಷ್ಯಾನಿ ದಿಲ್ಲೆ ಶಿರಾಪ್ ಮ್ಹಳ್ಯಾರ್ ಮ್ಹಳ್ಯಾರ್ ಭಾಸ್ ಆನಿ ಕ್ರಿಕೆಟ್ .
    ತಾಂತುಂ ಜಾಯ್ತೆಂವಂತ್ ಜಾಂವ್ಕ್ ಆಮಿಂ ಸಕೊಂಕ್ ನಾಂವ್.
    ಆಮಿಂ ಭಾಸ್ ಹೆರ್ ಭಾಸ್ ಉಲೊವ್ಚ್ಯಾಕೀ ...ಭುದ್ವೊಂತ್ /ಶಿಕ್ಷಿತ್ ಜಾಂವ್ಚೆಂ ಚಡ್ ಗರ್ಚೆಂಚೆಂ.
    "ಕೊಂಕ್ಣಿಂ' ಭಾಸೆಚ್ಯಾ ಮೊಗಾನ್ ಲಿಖ್ ಲ್ಲ್ಯಾ ಲಿಖಿತಾಕ್ ಶಾಭಾಸ್ಕಿ ಪಾಟ್ರಯ್ತಾ.
    ದೆವಾಚಿಂ ಆಶೀರ್ವಾದಾಂ ತುಜೆರ್ ಪಡೊಂ.

  • Sunil D'Souza, Mangalore / New Delhi

    Sun, May 16 2010

    I was born, brought up and educated in Mangalore. I was educated in an English medium school. I speak konkani fluently and found nothing really special about it until I left Mangalore, I found out what was so so special about the Konkani Language that we Mangaloreans speak. Even though all our ancestors migrated around 400 years back from Goa we dont speak the same dialect as Goans. The dialect that we speak is special and found only among Mangalorean RC's. Guess we should be all proud of our Language and Culture.

  • Melwyn, Dubai

    Sun, May 16 2010

    Well nothing new in this article, we hear these type of incidents/ stories since years, but konkani still prevails and will prevail. Thomas Kanajar i agree with you, after all its an individuals choice. Once you have chosen to be out of your native  then i dont think one should ever be guilty of your mother tongue. Like the writer of this article used language English to show her concerns over language Konkani. Well nothing wrong in it. But support your language whenever and wherever it is possible.

  • Rita, Mangalore/USA

    Sun, May 16 2010

    Hey Jess,
    Very well written. I agree with you that Mangaloreans have forgotten konkani. I have a friend here who goes to Mangalore every year to find a match and comes here to US and dates white girls. He only speak English and pretends he does not understand konkani. And mind you that this guy studied in kannada medium. I want to add a proverb " Empty vessels make the most sound"

  • david dsouza, Madanthyar/kuwait

    Sun, May 16 2010

    Jess, very well written, indeed very good message to all of us... parents..Please teach your children Konkani....

  • Laila Pinto, Mangalore / KSA

    Sun, May 16 2010

    Jess, your article was wonderful. Do keep us enlightened with such articles. Its a fact, our mother tongue becomes our identity irrespective in which part of the world you live. You'll remain an Indian wherever you go , even if get the citizenship of another country. So if you don't know your mother tongue or refuse to acknowledge it, how can you call yourself a Mangalorean? People who have an inferiority complex usually prefer not to teach or converse with their children in Konkani, but take great pride if they learn French or any other language.But sadly what they fail to see is, your identity can never be changed, because wherever you go, you'll remain a Mangalorean all your life.

  • Jaimini P.B., Manipal,Sharjah

    Sun, May 16 2010

    Dear Thomas Saldanha...Satisfied with your reply.(Your first comment gives Negative feeling & 2nd one is Positive) Good Luck.

  • Flavlin, Mangalore / Kwt

    Sun, May 16 2010

    Nice article. True in future Konkani language will be lost for ever.Well not only Konkani but other languages of Mangalore like Kanada, Tulu. Well only way out is especially for NRI's they should start some classes where their kids are taught these languages like how the Keralaites have started such classes for teaching their kids especially during vacations

  • Eleuterio Socorro Marques, Goa/Abu Dhabi, UAE

    Sun, May 16 2010

    Great stuff Jess, one should always be proud of ones' mother tongue. I meet people who change their Konkani sounding to English one. When I question them about it they argue. But when I ask them as why they did not change their surname to english they have no answer. BE PROUD OF YOUR ROOTS, BE PROUD OF YOUR LANGUAGE "KONKANI". Once again Hats off to your lovely message.

  • lavina moras, barkur/riyadh

    Sun, May 16 2010

    Hey jessy
    It is really good artical.we all konkani speakers should proud to be.keep it up

  • Alexander P Menezes, Karkala/Dubai

    Sun, May 16 2010

    Jess, Nice article and I am sure this should serve as an eye opener to the our mangalorean Konkans who have chosen to desert their mother tongue for reasons unknown. While I also respect the views expressed here by Mr. Thomas Saldana on communication essentials and I believe the English language is also equally important in communication at most times of our lives. Somewhere down the line, we must accept that we have forgotten our mother tongue due to our inferior mentality that has prevailed due to migration to Gulf and western countries in search of our livelihood. It is a love and pride to our mother tongue which will help us to preserve this language and speak fluently without any hesitation of class. I only urge parents of present generation to encourage their children to speak Konkani along with other languages.

  • Thomas Saldanha, Kanajar / Dubai

    Sun, May 16 2010

    Response to Jaimini's comments: Let me correct you here that I always used konkanni as my first language be it at home, in our community or elsewhere. But neither I wish to pretend that I am a konkanni fanatic nor a saviour of konkanni.

    I would rather save this mother earth from other dangers than worrying about my mother tongue.
    Keraliites have a distinct advantage of conversing in one common language Malayalam across the state irrepective of religion or caste.

    Why konkanni is in danger today because we ourselves have divided dakshina kannada with 4 different mothers namely kannada, tulu, konkanni & urdu. Now this explains why English is a preferred choice in mangalore and mangaloreans at large.

    Having said that, we will continue to speak in Konkanni with peers and not make an issue out of it just beaucse one doesn't like to speak in his mother tongue.

  • vishwa, mangalore/usa

    Sun, May 16 2010

    Recently I had been to Shaktinagar, Mangalore. I saw big building "Vishwa konkani kendra". This is a good move supported by dayanada. pai and Mr.Colaso etc. Please visit and see our culture and also possible support it through research etc.

    It is a secular, non castist kendra. We konkani's are forward thinking people please maintain that.

  • s dsouza, manglore/bahrain

    Sun, May 16 2010

    it is really nice about our konkani nowdays do like speak konkani they like speak only english like this kind articles keep our konkani proud

  • Jyothi Dsouza, Madanthyar/Kuwait

    Sun, May 16 2010

    Nice article Jess...hats off to you girl. All the best and keep going girl

  • Harsha Lobo,

    Sun, May 16 2010

    Dear Jess.

    It's really good article. And many a time we (infact myself) faced such situations. Thanks for bringing this article and I really appreciate it.

  • Prashanth, Mangalore

    Sun, May 16 2010

    Nice article...I have had similar experiences with people...when we talk to them in konkani they reply back in english...not only gulf but even in mumbai / m'lore parents dont teach konkani to their children...one incident i would like to share...this was one function in dubai and many people gave talks on konkani culture, language this that etc...but the language they spoke in with their children was english... why beat the drums showing off what you are doing for the language, when you cant teach it to your children...hypocrites!!!

  • Uday Rodrigues, Mangalore/Jeddah

    Sun, May 16 2010

    What a wonderful article...Proud of you Jess!!! hats off to you!!! glad tht we do use Konkani, Tulu when we write comments in FB, hehe....!!

  • John B. Miranda, Pachinadka/Bantwal/Dubai

    Sun, May 16 2010

    Dear Jess,
    Very good article.We mangaloreans whereever we may live we should speak and teach our children Konkani- Our Mother Tongue.Keep it up Jess and good luck for your future articles.

  • Jaimini P.B., Manipal,Sharjah

    Sun, May 16 2010

    Finally...Some People realized that Mother Tongue is very important. I had to face lot of criticism (Daiji forum)from everyone when I supoorted Malayalis speaking in Malayalam in public places. Malayalis know the value of Mother Tongue.Malayalis know that Languae connects Mother & Child.English should be an official language and should not be treated as Mother language.

    Mr.Thomas Saldana..you are ignoring your mother language.Remember..one day KONKANI will be a HISTORY if people like you continue speaking in English.My mother tongue is Malayalam.I know 5 languages. I studied in Kannada medium and the top scorer in Kannda in SSLC in 1983 (U.Kamal Bai High School.Kadiyali).Having said that I am not against English. English is the KING among Languages ,But Mother Tongue is Mother Tongue. King or Queen..no one can replace it. Many thanks to writer J.Lobo

  • LDSOUZA, Mangalore

    Sun, May 16 2010

    Beautiful thought provoking article! This scene can be seen in most Mangalorean catholic families whether they are in the gulf, Mumbai,or any part of the world. We also see this in Mangalore itself where parents take pride in teaching their kids only English, send them only for English masses. Parents themselves pretend as though they do not know Konkani, when they have grown up speaking only in konkani. Its the false prestige, the false attitude our people have in life. Is'nt it a pride to know our mother tongue? But No!! According to them its a disgrace. Children learn English easily in schools & colleges. Wake up parents and start speaking in Konkani at home and your children will learn the language automatically.

  • Simon, Mangalore Dhahran

    Sun, May 16 2010

    Jess,

    I disagree several parts of the article and some of comments below. Any language is primarly used for commuincation with each other, be it Tulu or Konkani. As long as you can commuincate effectively with other person, be it spoken or in writing, does not lower a person's diginity or should not impact intended commuincations.

    We all like to prosper and go forward with all availabe ammenities in life with luxury in every possible way and then we reach a stage in life when we suddenly remember about our mother tongue, Konkani.

    I have travelled to 53 countries and always look forward to speak in Konkani with anyone who can commuincate in my mother tongue, konkani. Only small population of Konkani speaking people outside Mangalore area that I know speak to their families in native mother tongue based languages, be it Marthi, Tamil or Konkani.

    My uncle, AT Lobo, used to be best Konkani writer with 36 Drama's and long sequence stories for two years in Pionari weekly, like "Wale Gadi" to his credit.

    Bottom line, we all are proud of our mother tongue, and let us not make it as an issue on this for those who have no intrest or ability to learn Konkani language. If you know some one who is interested to learn Konkani, let us help and support them.

  • Thomas Saldanha, Kanajar / Dubai

    Sun, May 16 2010

    Nice article, thought provoking. I would disagre with the writer in many instances, as I believe that the language that we speak today is nothing but an exchange of information. It doesn't matter whether you speak Konkanni / English as long as you are able to communicate effectively.

    Why people in Indian metro's prefer to communicate in English as compared to a majority of mangaloreans living in the gulf. Well there are many reasons if you take a closer look. Indians live in a polycentric society which is divided in more of a multi-linguistic, rather than a ethnocentric society. In cities like Bombay/Bangalore, if we have to communicate well with our marathi/tamilian neighbours we have to speak only in English, and within no time you get accustomed to the local needs (i.e culture & language) and it may sound very strange for a visiting konkanni fellow from Mangalore.

    Whereas in the gulf, people are already facing several levels of discrimation based on race, religion and their ethnic background and you have no much options but to speak in your own language with your peers. In other words, you can choose your own language as per your convenience.
    My children too speak konkanni only when it is absolutely necessary.

    Therefore, one cannot generalize or make any comparison as to why one speaks in Konanni and the other doesn't, it completely depends on where you live/reside and your language preferences are set accordingly.

  • Eric Coelho, Mangalore/Ajman

    Sun, May 16 2010

    There is nothing new in this article as it always says "When Britishers left India they left back English". I would say Konkani is a forgotten mother tongue for the last 40 years. The day mangalorean catholics started to move to Gulf (Since 1965) for better prospects they left back Konkani to their roots (just like british did) i.e., to their parents and grandparents. I remember about 10 years back someone saying to me which shook me badly! "What Konkani, it is a servant's Language". I did not question his thought nor said anything as each person has a right to express his opinion but a thought came to my mind firstly, what this person must be writing in his children's school forms as mother tongue "English or Konkani" and secondly he has become "English speaking Konkani Catholic". I admire the malyalis in whatever position they are "Super rich, rich, middle class or Poor" they will speak only in their mother tongue.

    Today in Mangalore all churches have started English mass which is after 8.30 am has a big crowd. It is time we change the timings for English mass to make it at 5.30 am or 6.30 am and move the Konkani mass timings after 7.30 am to 9.30 am. The KOnkani hymns are beautiful to listen even Songs by all konkani artists. I have even seen marriage functions where for Roce they follow the culture which is all humbug and then for nuptials and reception it is entirely in english which is sickening. Time we get back our Mother tongue a tough job but worth trying.

  • Norbert Corda, Shirva/ Qatar

    Sun, May 16 2010

    Well written, i kindly request the parents to teach konkani to the children at least at home. not only keralites or tamiliayan even if french, spanish, polish, dutch etc etc etc they speak in their native laung. only people from Mangalore, Goa and East Indian who lives in Mumbai they have the proud to communicate in English that also sp. catholics days are not far to vanish our beloved konkani laung. if we dont teach our own mother tongue to our children

  • lucy, Omzoor/Dubai

    Sun, May 16 2010

    Very nice article and absolutely correct what you said. Our mangalorean folk feel shy to speak in konkani. Even if they do post-mortem of the english language, they prefer to speak in english only. Keep it Jess and all the best for your future articles.

  • Anil Pinto, Mumbai/Abu Dhabi

    Sun, May 16 2010

    We need such articles to jog our brains into thinking in the right direction. Konkani is our identity and its what distinquishes us from others (apart from of-course dukra maas and sannas :) - If we lose konkani - we lose our identity which is a terrible thing.


    Thank you for this article

  • jean, mangalore/Mumbai

    Sun, May 16 2010

    Good article Jess,

    U people are talking about Gulf. I know many in mumbai also, they hesitate to talk our mother tongue in public even to their own mother and father. It is really a shame for us. I know many children hesitate to talk in konkani , saying that language is middle class families. First we have to blame parents, who are responsible for this.

  • Charles D'Mello, Pangala

    Sun, May 16 2010

    It is a shame to we Mangaloreans to say we dont and cant understand Konkani..!!!! Even Goans, who generally speak in English have not forgotten their mother tongue and do not hesitate to speak in Konkani..!.. We (Parents) must feel ashamed if our child is not taught Konkani. Children are eager to learn any language and it our responsibility to teach them without thinking of bebifit we derive from it. Once when I visited USA, we elders were speaking in Konkani and the children were just blinking...Ofcourse it was not their fault..when asked a question "Do you like to speak Konkani..???" the answer was "Yes. our parents did not bother to teach us..!!!"...Guy's wake up before we are accused of not teaching Konkani to our children. This Kind of articles are eye openers, How many of us are even interested to read such an article..?????

  • Cynthia , Mangalore

    Sun, May 16 2010

    Hey Jess,
    Very well written. I want to share my own experience on this. Since I sutdied in Kannada Medium I was not able to communicate in English when I just started to work and stay in hostel in Mumbai. In the hostel I met my far relative who was also studied in Kannada Medium and staying over there since couple of years and I was very thrilled to meet her over there at least I can communciate her in konkani.

    But to my surprise when I start to speak to her in Konkani she used reply me only in English, and after that she started to avoid me and only mingle with who speaks English. I hereby request all Mangalorean please dont feel shame to speak Konkani. Dont force your parents to communicate in English.Please teach your children Konkani, so that they can talk to their Grand Parents and they can enjoy their company.

  • Herman, Mulki/Malad/Muscat

    Sun, May 16 2010

    A well worded article I have come across recent times. Jess you have done a great job . This article should be a eye opener to those who are calling Mangaloreans b but does not like to speak the language they born and brought up. i really appreciate your efforts to take up your time and write this article.
    Even I have come across such servants of Queen.......... God save them.........

  • Andrina, Mudarangady/Singapore

    Sat, May 15 2010

    A very truely written article.I would like to congratulate the writer.This is a harsh reality we all face.After reading this i remebered there is one family at my place wherein the mother is from a rural area and just because she was abroad for a few years she only speaks in broken wierd english with her kids and husband.They feel only if they speak in english thier standard would be among the others in the societeis.

  • Roshan D'Silva, Vamanjoor/UAE

    Sat, May 15 2010

    Jess, very well written, indeed very good message to all of us. I am so happy that finally you have exhibited your writing talent in this website, Thanks daiji for encouraging our young writers. I will conclude my comment while remembering Late Wilfys song ' Thu Kokno hasetha firngi jainaka'.

  • alwyn noronha, Bahrain

    Sat, May 15 2010

    Jess, you are right. Mangloreans might forget there Konkani but they never forget the dukra mass and sana even they have been away from India for decades hahahah

  • Patrick, Mangalore

    Sat, May 15 2010

    Dear Willy, Mangalore. No need to go far just visit Pais colony in Mulund or just attended one of the  Konkons Dubai get together (most part of the program is in English). What Ms Jess is saying 100% correct and I seen this in Mangalore/Bangalore/Mumbai/Dubai

  • peter pinto, mangalore/jamnagar

    Sat, May 15 2010

    I totally agree with you Jess. This is the composition i have come across at many places. Infact, we mangaloreans feel ashamed to speak in konkani thinking that it will lower their dignity. I feel whoever thinks such does not have any right to call themselves mangaloreans.

  • Willy, Mangalore

    Sat, May 15 2010

    Jess, is this fiction or fact? I find it difficult to believe this. I have lived out side India for more than a quarter of a century and haven't come across any such Mangalorean.

  • Anil Dsouza, Halealve/Cardiff

    Sat, May 15 2010

    Hey Jess,
    It is really nice of you to have quoted me in your absolutely mind blowing and thoughtful article .Should i be asking a royalty?. Kidding :)

    Well hope more amd more kids turn to Konkani and speak.Keep writing lady and good luck for your future articles.Cheers


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Title: Let us be Proud of our Mother Tongue



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