TEAM HERALD teamherald@ herald- goa. com
PANJIM: The proponents of Konkani language today expressed their worry over increasing influence of English in our daily chores raising fears that the next generation might find it difficult to speak their own language.
Fr Vasco Rego, speaking during the day- long regional conference on ‘ Status and Future of Konkani Language,’ agreed that it is the right of the Children to learn in English but added
that ‘ the schools should also make Konkani a compulsory subject.’ He said that speaking in Konkani is barred in many educational institutes, who has made English speaking pupil as their ‘ prestige issue.’ “ There are many parents who want their children to study in English and it is their right. I understand that English is become most important language for the foreseeable future,” he said urging the parents to encourage students to talk in Konkani.
Fr Rego also expressed concerns that the traditional celebrations like weddings and even masses in the Church are increasingly becoming English oriented.
“ It’s a shame that in wedding rituals or even Church mass, people don’t speak Konkani,” he said.
The priest, who edits magazine Dor Mohinechi Roti, said that people, in their verbal conversation, mixing languages was an insult to the respective tongues.
“ People should not be slaves of any language.
They should instead love the language,” he commented.
Being nostalgic of the past, Fr Rego said that Konkani was not referred by its name but was called as ‘ Amgeli Bhas’ ( Our Language).