Use of different languages in multilingual country can lead to success in life
Thus far, Goa has been accustomed to announcements of literary awards mainly for works crafted in Konkani. These have been often awarded by the literary establishment in New Delhi. Such awards are considered as part of the national commitment granted after the recognition of Konkani by Sahitya Akademi and later its inclusion in the Eight Schedule of the Constitution. Thus, we take that as being granted our due. Often, some prominent or upcoming talent from among the circle of recognised Konkani writers bags the recognition. But, two weeks ago, there was a change.
Returned Goan expat Anthony ‘Tino’ de Sa created news on being shortlisted for the prestigious Commonwealth Short Story Prize. He gets this honour for his short story ‘Tamarind’, one of 25 selected from 7,920 entries received from 54 countries. Sometimes referred to as ‘the Booker Prize of short stories’, the Commonwealth Prize is one of the most prestigious international literature prizes, and one of the most global. The judges will make the final choice of the winner from the short list, and the prize will be announced on June 25. This is not the first literature award that has come his way: he has twice won the first prize in national short story competitions – in 2017 and 2019. He also writes poetry and has already three books published. Dr de Sa, a senior IAS officer coincidentally the former chief secretary of Madhya Pradesh, attains a laudable first. He is also an inspiration to budding writers in the English language.
Such a development underlines the multicultural and multilingual nature of the Goan reality. English wasn’t widely used in Goa till decades ago; today its use is widespread. Particularly in education, governance, the courts, the media, tourism and academic life too.
The English language has been associated with Goa first in the early 1800s. British troops were then stationed “to protect” Goa during the Napoleonic wars. After that came the large Goan out-migration to parts of the British-ruled world. Post the 1940s, a new crop of English-language schools was permitted to come up in Portuguese-ruled Goa. Earlier, around a century ago, a handful of English schools were set up in places such as Arpora, Parra and Saligao. After 1961, Goa saw its integration with the pan-Indian bureaucracy and changes in schooling also accelerated this trend. English has since turned into the language of local aspiration, and the tongue of the returning Goan diaspora.
But the reality is complex: the English language does need to be acknowledged for its practical value. At the same time, care needs to be taken to ensure that it does not displace local languages, or deepen social and cultural inequalities.
English has a major role to play as a link language. The language also has to play its role as part of a multilingual education policy. It has an undeniably strong role to play in science, technology and higher education. But, at the same time, also needed is a strong grounding in Konkani, Marathi and Hindi. English skills can be valuable, but mere fluency in the language should not be seen as a marker of intelligence or superiority. Writers, musicians and artists should be encouraged to work in English, without abandoning Konkani, Marathi or even Portuguese. English can be a medium to project Goan culture globally, with local languages remaining the foundation of identity and belonging. Above all, the attainments of a Tino de Sa only remind us that language planning should address inter-generational gaps, so younger Goans can appreciate and use multiple languages confidently.
