Konknni Language: Facts Versus Fictions (Dr. Pratapananda Naik, sj, 2024)
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Frederick Noronha
Oct 28, 2024, 6:42:57 AM10/28/24
to Goa-Research-Net
Konknni Language: Facts Versus Fictions
Dr. Pratapananda Naik, sj
Loyola Hall, Miramar, Goa
October 27, 2024
A surgeon cannot afford to get emotionally involved
while performing a delicate and complicated
operation even of his closest family member. He
has to remain cool and calm and totally rely on his
medical knowledge, competence, skills, and
experience. Same is the case of a linguist while
dealing with sensitive and complex issues related
to his own mother tongue. Keeping in mind this
principle, as a senior Konknni linguist and
researcher, I am expressing the linguistic views on
Konknni language, its dialects, and scripts. At
present, there are more fictions rather than facts
are spoken and written about Konknni scripts. I
will focus only on facts.
In the past adversaries tried to belittle Konknni saying that
she had no script. Now protagonists create an uproar about
Konknni scripts, dialects, and literature. There is utter
ignorance and confusion among Konknnis, especially among
those who insist on one script for Konknni. It is a high
time we learn from well-known linguists to distinguish
language and script.
The Central Hindi Directorate of Government of India brought
out an official booklet, written by eminent linguistic
scholars Dr. Suniti Kumar Chatterji and others, titled
Devanagari: Development, amplification and standardization.
They give their learned opinion on language, alphabet, and
script. The summary of their book is:
"Language is something that is intrinsic to
personality. Alphabet has a certain relation to
language and some alphabets express different
speech sounds more adequately than others. Scripts
are an abstraction thrice removed from direct
experience. Any language can be written in any
script, provided the alphabet has the necessary
symbols to represent the speech sounds of that
particular language. If it has not, such sounds
may be added and visual symbols invented or adopted
to represent them. The only basis on which to
prefer a script should therefore be clarity,
legibility, and capacity for easy manual and
mechanical manipulation.” (Almeida 2006:71)
Speaking, listening, and communication are the essence of a
language. In the evolution of a language, people spoke the
language first. When they felt the need to write it, the
alphabet or script was invented. Hence, writing is one of
the means of recording speech, and script is only a means to
reduce speech to writing.
Script could be compared to a dress. A lady can wear
trousers and shirt, saree, salwar-kameez, maxi, gown, frock,
etc. according to her choice, culture, status, and
environmental conditions. A lady is far more important than
the dress she chooses to wear. The dress may add beauty but
it does not give dignity and legitimacy to a person.
In the history of humankind, languages, dialects,
and scripts are used not only for communication but
also for domination, manipulation, suppression, and
oppression of weaker or minority groups. This is
true also for Konknni, its scripts and dialects are
at the crossroads.
Languages, scripts, and dialects have become emotional and
cultural dimensions of Konknnis (Konknni speakers). Logic and
facts are pushed to the backseat. In Goa, Roman script is
considered as foreign and Devanagari as the 'natural script'
by the protagonists of Devanagari script. This is a false
narrative, because any script is a set of symbols arbitrarily
chosen to represent speech sounds.
If Devanagari script was created exclusively for Konknni, the
term 'natural script' would have been acceptable. The fact
is that Devanagari was invented for Sanskrit and finally took
the present form in the ninth century. Prior to that,
Sanskrit was written in Brahmi, Kharosthi, Sharada, Grantha,
etc.
In 1857, when the British established Bombay, Madras, and
Calcutta Universities, after consulting the Sanskrit
scholars, Devanagari script was decided to be the official
script of Sanskrit in Indian universities. By any logic,
Devanagari is not the 'natural script' of Konknni. Kannada
script was invented for the Kannada language, Tamil script
for the Tamil language. Hence the Kannada and Tamil scripts
are the natural scripts for the Kannada and Tamil languages,
respectively.
At present, Roman, Kannada, and Devanagari scripts are mainly
used for writing Konknni. Of these three, the Roman script
has the oldest tradition in Konknni writing from the 16th century
onwards. Till the arrival of the Portuguese to Govapuri
(present-day Old Goa), Konknni was only a spoken language.
We have no historical records to prove that it was
used for writing. The Kannada script was
definitely used in Goa to write Marathi and
probably also for Konknni from the 16th century
onwards. A sample of Konknni in Kannada script
(known as Kandavi or Gõykānaḍi) was used for the
prose text of *Flos Sanctorum* (Flowers of the
Saints). It was written by the Portuguese
Franciscan friar Amador de Santa Anna in 1607 in
Goa. This manuscript has 1093 pages of large
format, that converted into normal book would be
over 2000 pages.
The first definite text of Konknni in Devanagari script is
found in Hendrik van Rheede's 12 volumes *Hortus Malabaricus*
(Garden of Malabar) published in 1678-1693. In it there is a
letter of authentication written in Konknni in Devanagari
script by three Ayurvedic Pandits of Kerala, and the names of
medicinal plants are given in Latin, Malayalam, Arabic, and
Konknni in Devanagari script. Thus, three scripts for
Konknni emerged and are still widely used in writing.
These three scripts represent three Konknni dialects. Though
they are mutually intelligible, they have their own
uniqueness in vocabulary, pronunciation, syntax, morphology,
and semantics. None of these scripts can adequately
represent the speech sounds of Konknni. For example, in
Devanagari script there are no symbols to represent Konknni
speech sounds /ɛ/, /ɔ/ (popularly called ‘open e and o’
respectively), /f/, /lh/, /mh/, /nh/, /wh/, affricates /ʦ/
/ʣ/, and /ʣh/. However, using diacritical marks and with
modified orthography these three scripts can be used to
represent all the speech sounds of Konknni.
Is it possible to impose one script for Konknni?
The answer is definitely no for various reasons.
For other major languages of India, the majority
speakers of a particular language are found in a
particular state, for example, Marathi in
Maharashtra, Kannada in Karnataka and so on.
Though Konknni is the state language of Goa, only
30.93% of the total Konknni population is found in Goa!
Konknni is mainly spread in Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra,
Kerala, and Gujarat. They use different dialects and
scripts. Since Konknni is not standardized, each group uses
its own dialect for oral communication. Very few groups use
Konknni for written communication.
Konknnis require Konknni only to maintain their cultural
identity. In this context, Konknni did not succeed to become
the medium of instruction beyond primary school level, as a
common media for communication or to earn one's livelihood
except in Tiatrs (stage performance using Roman script for
texts).
So far Konknni has survived because it is a spoken language.
The 'one script, one dialect, one community' principle has
not succeeded so far to unite Konknnis and it is unlikely to
succeed in the future. If a group forces this 'unity in
uniformity' principle, Konknnis will survive but Konknni will
perish.
The protagonists of one script implicitly believe
that Aryans, Brahmins, Sanskrit, and Devanagari
script are inseparable elements of the common
umbilical cord and they are
'holy/pure/standard/high/best'! What is essential
is to preserve the Konknni language with its
dialects and encourage them as spoken forms.
When languages like Marathi and Kannada are afraid of losing
out to the onslaught of English, what chance does a small
language like Konknni have to hold its own? At it is, the trend
in Catholic families in Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra is to
replace Konknni with English as the first language at home
and while conversing with other Konknnis. For written
communication, English is widely used by the Konknnis. Day
by day, reading in Konknni is diminishing and social
media is gaining prominence. More and more Konknnis
prefer to watch Konknni videos on social media. To watch
videos of different Konknni dialects there is no need for a
script. Thus, to a great extent scripts have become
redundant to video viewers. In the social media, the Roman
script with its variety of orthographies is used for messages
and chatting. Day by day it is becoming the popular script
among Konknnis for various practical reasons.
It is a historical fact that, by the manipulation of
Devanagari protagonists, in 1981 Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi
accepted Devanagari as the official script of Konknni and the
Language Act 1987 of Goa defined "Konkani language" to mean
Konkani language in Devanagari script. Supporters of the
Roman and Kannada scripts have not opposed Konknni in the
Devanagari script. They demand the official recognition and
justice to their script, dialect, and literature.
Their main demands are that Sahitya Akademi should officially
accept three major scripts of Konknni and in Goa to include
Roman script in the Language Act, and to introduce Konknni in
Roman script as a language in the education system of Goa
step by step. The supporters of Roman and Kannada scripts
want not just monetary benefits; they demand equal
citizenship rights for their dialects and scripts. They do
not plead for charity but equality, dignity, and justice.
Because Article 29 of the Constitution of India
says, "Protection of interests of minorities -- (1)
Any section of the citizens residing in the
territory of India or any part thereof having a
distinct language, script or culture of its own
shall have the right to conserve the same," Article
347 reads "On a demand being made in that behalf
the President may, if he is satisfied that a
substantial proportion of the population of a state
desire the use of any language spoken by them to be
recognized by that state, direct that such language
shall also be officially recognized throughout that
state or any part thereof for such purpose as he
may specify."
Those who care for Konknni should be open to the ground
reality and not be led by mere theoretical idealism of
language or script chauvinism. In democracy, there will not
be peace and unity as long as injustice prevails and one
group wants to dominate others and suppress their voice.
Mutual respect, understanding, and 'unity in multiplicity or
diversity' must guide any action. Let these three main
groups, namely, those who use Roman script, Kannada script,
and Devanagari script live with dignity as equal citizens,
maintaining their unique identity and liberty.
For the survival of Konknni, at present accepting
three scripts formula is the best and realistic
option. When the reading of Konknni in any script
is rapidly diminishing and the use of English is
increasing, it is a futile exercise to impose one
script for all Konknnis. Let Konknnis decide the
choice of one or more of their scripts. According to
a Hasidic saying, "The culture of the heart is
greater than the culture of the mind." Konknni is
primarily a language of the heart.
Bibliography
Almeida, Matthew 2005. "Evolution and Modification of the
Roman Script used for Konkani". SÔD TSKK Konknni Research
Bulletin, 9:158-186.
--- 2006. "Konknni Versus Scripts". SÔD TSKK Konknni
Research Bulletin, 10:71-74.
Naik, Pratapananda 2012. "Konknni: A Marginalized Language".
SÔD TSKK Konknni Research Bulletin, 16: 25-44.
--- 2014. “Konknni: A Language at the Crossroads”. In Goa
2011 Reviewing and Recovering Fifty Years, edited by Savio
Abreu and Rudolf C. Heredia, 103-120. New Delhi: Concept
Publishing Company Pvt. Ltd.
Goanet Reader is edited and compiled by Frederick Noronha.
Send submissions of informative and interesting Goa-related
articles to frederic...@gmail.com with ATTN GOANET
READER in the subject line.
Dr. Pratapananda Naik, sj
Loyola Hall, Miramar, Goa
October 27, 2024
A surgeon cannot afford to get emotionally involved
while performing a delicate and complicated
operation even of his closest family member. He
has to remain cool and calm and totally rely on his
medical knowledge, competence, skills, and
experience. Same is the case of a linguist while
dealing with sensitive and complex issues related
to his own mother tongue. Keeping in mind this
principle, as a senior Konknni linguist and
researcher, I am expressing the linguistic views on
Konknni language, its dialects, and scripts. At
present, there are more fictions rather than facts
are spoken and written about Konknni scripts. I
will focus only on facts.
In the past adversaries tried to belittle Konknni saying that
she had no script. Now protagonists create an uproar about
Konknni scripts, dialects, and literature. There is utter
ignorance and confusion among Konknnis, especially among
those who insist on one script for Konknni. It is a high
time we learn from well-known linguists to distinguish
language and script.
The Central Hindi Directorate of Government of India brought
out an official booklet, written by eminent linguistic
scholars Dr. Suniti Kumar Chatterji and others, titled
Devanagari: Development, amplification and standardization.
They give their learned opinion on language, alphabet, and
script. The summary of their book is:
"Language is something that is intrinsic to
personality. Alphabet has a certain relation to
language and some alphabets express different
speech sounds more adequately than others. Scripts
are an abstraction thrice removed from direct
experience. Any language can be written in any
script, provided the alphabet has the necessary
symbols to represent the speech sounds of that
particular language. If it has not, such sounds
may be added and visual symbols invented or adopted
to represent them. The only basis on which to
prefer a script should therefore be clarity,
legibility, and capacity for easy manual and
mechanical manipulation.” (Almeida 2006:71)
Speaking, listening, and communication are the essence of a
language. In the evolution of a language, people spoke the
language first. When they felt the need to write it, the
alphabet or script was invented. Hence, writing is one of
the means of recording speech, and script is only a means to
reduce speech to writing.
Script could be compared to a dress. A lady can wear
trousers and shirt, saree, salwar-kameez, maxi, gown, frock,
etc. according to her choice, culture, status, and
environmental conditions. A lady is far more important than
the dress she chooses to wear. The dress may add beauty but
it does not give dignity and legitimacy to a person.
In the history of humankind, languages, dialects,
and scripts are used not only for communication but
also for domination, manipulation, suppression, and
oppression of weaker or minority groups. This is
true also for Konknni, its scripts and dialects are
at the crossroads.
Languages, scripts, and dialects have become emotional and
cultural dimensions of Konknnis (Konknni speakers). Logic and
facts are pushed to the backseat. In Goa, Roman script is
considered as foreign and Devanagari as the 'natural script'
by the protagonists of Devanagari script. This is a false
narrative, because any script is a set of symbols arbitrarily
chosen to represent speech sounds.
If Devanagari script was created exclusively for Konknni, the
term 'natural script' would have been acceptable. The fact
is that Devanagari was invented for Sanskrit and finally took
the present form in the ninth century. Prior to that,
Sanskrit was written in Brahmi, Kharosthi, Sharada, Grantha,
etc.
In 1857, when the British established Bombay, Madras, and
Calcutta Universities, after consulting the Sanskrit
scholars, Devanagari script was decided to be the official
script of Sanskrit in Indian universities. By any logic,
Devanagari is not the 'natural script' of Konknni. Kannada
script was invented for the Kannada language, Tamil script
for the Tamil language. Hence the Kannada and Tamil scripts
are the natural scripts for the Kannada and Tamil languages,
respectively.
At present, Roman, Kannada, and Devanagari scripts are mainly
used for writing Konknni. Of these three, the Roman script
has the oldest tradition in Konknni writing from the 16th century
onwards. Till the arrival of the Portuguese to Govapuri
(present-day Old Goa), Konknni was only a spoken language.
We have no historical records to prove that it was
used for writing. The Kannada script was
definitely used in Goa to write Marathi and
probably also for Konknni from the 16th century
onwards. A sample of Konknni in Kannada script
(known as Kandavi or Gõykānaḍi) was used for the
prose text of *Flos Sanctorum* (Flowers of the
Saints). It was written by the Portuguese
Franciscan friar Amador de Santa Anna in 1607 in
Goa. This manuscript has 1093 pages of large
format, that converted into normal book would be
over 2000 pages.
The first definite text of Konknni in Devanagari script is
found in Hendrik van Rheede's 12 volumes *Hortus Malabaricus*
(Garden of Malabar) published in 1678-1693. In it there is a
letter of authentication written in Konknni in Devanagari
script by three Ayurvedic Pandits of Kerala, and the names of
medicinal plants are given in Latin, Malayalam, Arabic, and
Konknni in Devanagari script. Thus, three scripts for
Konknni emerged and are still widely used in writing.
These three scripts represent three Konknni dialects. Though
they are mutually intelligible, they have their own
uniqueness in vocabulary, pronunciation, syntax, morphology,
and semantics. None of these scripts can adequately
represent the speech sounds of Konknni. For example, in
Devanagari script there are no symbols to represent Konknni
speech sounds /ɛ/, /ɔ/ (popularly called ‘open e and o’
respectively), /f/, /lh/, /mh/, /nh/, /wh/, affricates /ʦ/
/ʣ/, and /ʣh/. However, using diacritical marks and with
modified orthography these three scripts can be used to
represent all the speech sounds of Konknni.
Is it possible to impose one script for Konknni?
The answer is definitely no for various reasons.
For other major languages of India, the majority
speakers of a particular language are found in a
particular state, for example, Marathi in
Maharashtra, Kannada in Karnataka and so on.
Though Konknni is the state language of Goa, only
30.93% of the total Konknni population is found in Goa!
Konknni is mainly spread in Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra,
Kerala, and Gujarat. They use different dialects and
scripts. Since Konknni is not standardized, each group uses
its own dialect for oral communication. Very few groups use
Konknni for written communication.
Konknnis require Konknni only to maintain their cultural
identity. In this context, Konknni did not succeed to become
the medium of instruction beyond primary school level, as a
common media for communication or to earn one's livelihood
except in Tiatrs (stage performance using Roman script for
texts).
So far Konknni has survived because it is a spoken language.
The 'one script, one dialect, one community' principle has
not succeeded so far to unite Konknnis and it is unlikely to
succeed in the future. If a group forces this 'unity in
uniformity' principle, Konknnis will survive but Konknni will
perish.
The protagonists of one script implicitly believe
that Aryans, Brahmins, Sanskrit, and Devanagari
script are inseparable elements of the common
umbilical cord and they are
'holy/pure/standard/high/best'! What is essential
is to preserve the Konknni language with its
dialects and encourage them as spoken forms.
When languages like Marathi and Kannada are afraid of losing
out to the onslaught of English, what chance does a small
language like Konknni have to hold its own? At it is, the trend
in Catholic families in Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra is to
replace Konknni with English as the first language at home
and while conversing with other Konknnis. For written
communication, English is widely used by the Konknnis. Day
by day, reading in Konknni is diminishing and social
media is gaining prominence. More and more Konknnis
prefer to watch Konknni videos on social media. To watch
videos of different Konknni dialects there is no need for a
script. Thus, to a great extent scripts have become
redundant to video viewers. In the social media, the Roman
script with its variety of orthographies is used for messages
and chatting. Day by day it is becoming the popular script
among Konknnis for various practical reasons.
It is a historical fact that, by the manipulation of
Devanagari protagonists, in 1981 Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi
accepted Devanagari as the official script of Konknni and the
Language Act 1987 of Goa defined "Konkani language" to mean
Konkani language in Devanagari script. Supporters of the
Roman and Kannada scripts have not opposed Konknni in the
Devanagari script. They demand the official recognition and
justice to their script, dialect, and literature.
Their main demands are that Sahitya Akademi should officially
accept three major scripts of Konknni and in Goa to include
Roman script in the Language Act, and to introduce Konknni in
Roman script as a language in the education system of Goa
step by step. The supporters of Roman and Kannada scripts
want not just monetary benefits; they demand equal
citizenship rights for their dialects and scripts. They do
not plead for charity but equality, dignity, and justice.
Because Article 29 of the Constitution of India
says, "Protection of interests of minorities -- (1)
Any section of the citizens residing in the
territory of India or any part thereof having a
distinct language, script or culture of its own
shall have the right to conserve the same," Article
347 reads "On a demand being made in that behalf
the President may, if he is satisfied that a
substantial proportion of the population of a state
desire the use of any language spoken by them to be
recognized by that state, direct that such language
shall also be officially recognized throughout that
state or any part thereof for such purpose as he
may specify."
Those who care for Konknni should be open to the ground
reality and not be led by mere theoretical idealism of
language or script chauvinism. In democracy, there will not
be peace and unity as long as injustice prevails and one
group wants to dominate others and suppress their voice.
Mutual respect, understanding, and 'unity in multiplicity or
diversity' must guide any action. Let these three main
groups, namely, those who use Roman script, Kannada script,
and Devanagari script live with dignity as equal citizens,
maintaining their unique identity and liberty.
For the survival of Konknni, at present accepting
three scripts formula is the best and realistic
option. When the reading of Konknni in any script
is rapidly diminishing and the use of English is
increasing, it is a futile exercise to impose one
script for all Konknnis. Let Konknnis decide the
choice of one or more of their scripts. According to
a Hasidic saying, "The culture of the heart is
greater than the culture of the mind." Konknni is
primarily a language of the heart.
Bibliography
Almeida, Matthew 2005. "Evolution and Modification of the
Roman Script used for Konkani". SÔD TSKK Konknni Research
Bulletin, 9:158-186.
--- 2006. "Konknni Versus Scripts". SÔD TSKK Konknni
Research Bulletin, 10:71-74.
Naik, Pratapananda 2012. "Konknni: A Marginalized Language".
SÔD TSKK Konknni Research Bulletin, 16: 25-44.
--- 2014. “Konknni: A Language at the Crossroads”. In Goa
2011 Reviewing and Recovering Fifty Years, edited by Savio
Abreu and Rudolf C. Heredia, 103-120. New Delhi: Concept
Publishing Company Pvt. Ltd.
Goanet Reader is edited and compiled by Frederick Noronha.
Send submissions of informative and interesting Goa-related
articles to frederic...@gmail.com with ATTN GOANET
READER in the subject line.
John de Figueiredo
Oct 31, 2024, 3:08:28 PM10/31/24
to goa-rese...@googlegroups.com
“Till the arrival of the Portuguese to Govapuri
(present-day Old Goa), Konknni was only a spoken language.”
With all due respect, this is not correct. We have evidence that Konknni (Konkani) was used in writing before and at the time of the arrival of the Portuguese in Goa.
John M. de Figueiredo
Sent from my iPhone
> On Oct 28, 2024, at 6:42 AM, Frederick Noronha <frederic...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Konknni Language: Facts Versus Fictions
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Goa-Research-Net" group.
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(present-day Old Goa), Konknni was only a spoken language.”
With all due respect, this is not correct. We have evidence that Konknni (Konkani) was used in writing before and at the time of the arrival of the Portuguese in Goa.
John M. de Figueiredo
Sent from my iPhone
> On Oct 28, 2024, at 6:42 AM, Frederick Noronha <frederic...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Konknni Language: Facts Versus Fictions
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Goa-Research-Net" group.
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fredericknoronha
Nov 1, 2024, 3:26:47 AM11/1/24
to Goa-Research-Net
Professor, could you cite some examples of this (Konkan used in writing before the Portuguese)?
I am aware of the writing at the foot of the Shravanabelagola statue, which was pointed to in the 1960s, when Konkani was feeling particularly endangered by the neighbouring language and Bombay's expansionist claims, with support from some local politicians. However, whether that was actually Konkani or Marathi is open to debate. Do you have other examples to back up your claim? FN
On Friday 1 November 2024 at 00:38:28 UTC+5:30 John M. de Figueiredo wrote:
“Till the arrival of the Portuguese to Govapuri
(present-day Old Goa), Konknni was only a spoken language.”
With all due respect, this is not correct. We have evidence that Konknni (Konkani) was used in writing before and at the time of the arrival of the Portuguese in Goa.
John M. de Figueiredo
Sent from my iPhone
> On Oct 28, 2024, at 6:42 AM, Frederick Noronha <frederic...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Konknni Language: Facts Versus Fictions
>
> Dr. Pratapananda Naik, sj
> Loyola Hall, Miramar, Goa
> October 27, 2024
>
> A surgeon cannot afford to get emotionally involved
> while performing a delicate and complicated
> operation even of his closest family member. He
> has to remain cool and calm and totally rely on his
> medical knowledge, competence, skills, and ...
John de Figueiredo
Nov 1, 2024, 5:31:50 AM11/1/24
to goa-rese...@googlegroups.com
Unfortunately I cannot share that information with you because it is part of an article I submitted for publication.
--
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fredericknoronha
Nov 1, 2024, 5:37:47 AM11/1/24
to Goa-Research-Net
Thanks, doc. Don't forget to share it when it gets published please.
But frankly, I'm not aware of any such resource and would very much like to fill this gap in my understanding.
Incidentally, the two lines carved at the foot of the Gomateshwara statue at Sravanabelagola (which almost everyone uses as 'evidence' for the early use of Konkani in the Devanagari script) are almost definitely in Marathi. See Prof S. G. Tulpule's Old Marathi Reader [https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.36731] for instance. Temples in Tanjavore also have a number of similar Marathi inscriptions on their inner walls of the temple, due to early Marathi-speaking migration to these areas, which still exists. (A journalistic colleague of mine was Sudha G Tilak, from these very areas.) These are all in Marathi.
FN
To view this discussion, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/goa-research-net/b3f7443a-81b5-4f18-94b4-89172e58a814n%40googlegroups.com.T
William Robert Da Silva
Nov 1, 2024, 9:18:10 AM11/1/24
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Old inscription in Shravanabelagula in Karnataka has karaviale and suttale karaviale. Koroiale and koroiale would be Konkani, but koroviale, koroviale is old Marathi. suttale is 'wall around' in Kannada. In Konkani in Karnataka would be doro.
More than this, is there Konkani writing?
W R Da Silva
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