PANAJI
Konkani is one of the languages which will be incorporated by Google for translations. The news sounded welcoming for most of the Konkani ‘mogis’ and language activists that finally, their mother tongue got elevated to receive this prestigious status.
Senior journalist, writer Frederick Noronha feels, "This is long overdue. It could really help the Konkani cause. One wishes it was done in more Konkani scripts (not Devanagari alone) and more easy-to-understand language is used.”
While welcoming the step by Google, Vincy Quadros, president of Dalgado Konknni Akademi that works for the development and promotion of Konkani in the Roman script, opines that the people of Goa would definitely benefit from this.
Quadros however, points out that since it is in the Devanagari script only, those who are acquainted with the Roman script would not be able to use this feature. “So, I am of the opinion that it should have been in both the scripts. But, yes, better late than never, Konkani has received its due respect.”
Another staunch activist Prashant Naik said, “I am more than happy to know this. It was much required and our language deserved it. Konkani has proved its worth and got recognition by even Google and through it, the world. Konkani’s importance is now endorsed.”
As the president of Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Anwesha Singbal expressed her joy over this development. “It's an immensely satisfying news that google has finally added Konkani to the list of their languages especially, the google translate feature,” said Singbal, adding, “We all know how technology has taken over our lives. Covid has further reinforced this fact. In this midst, it is important that a language like Konkani that has comparatively less speakers hold its fort in the technological world. The addition of Konkani language in Google is therefore a welcome step and I am sure it will help people world over to communicate better in the language.”
Konkani people across the world have always strived to preserve their language and this technical feature will further assist them in their endeavours. We are also making rigourous efforts to promote Konkani in Wikipedia and Wikisource so that our language does not lag behind in any manner, feels Singbal.
Konkani activist Chetan Acharya states, “It is a great pride for Konkani lovers that Konkani has appeared on Google Translate,” and recalls that the process was initiated in December 2019 when he was the president of Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Goa.
“One of my friends named Sanjeet Hegde Desai, son of the soil, working with Google in the USA, pushed this thought at their managerial board,” discloses Acharya. He goes on to add, “It is a slap on the face of those who always try to demean Konkani. We have always tried to defend ourselves by our work. This initiative will definitely help the translators, language learners and also common people. Through this app one can not only translate a text from and to English but also into over a hundred languages which are appearing on the Google translate board. Since mobile has its space in every hand, I would say Konkani has reached to all. Everyone should start using it.”
Senior journalist Sandesh Prabhudesai lamented that the temple of Konkani is in complete ruins and has to be built constructively. “There is no spell check and dictionary available yet. Google has incorporated Konkani translator features, but how? Without any support from the government. Instead of congratulating Google, the government should work on ground level to provide tools for the usage of Konkani,” says Prabhudesai.
Pointing out to the computer illiteracy in the Goa University’s Konkani department, he says that the government website is not in place. It’s been years since Microsoft came, but there has not been any upgrade in incorporating Konkani anywhere. Not even a single step has been taken to uplift Konkani, and we can see complete apathy, lethargy from the government side. Konkani Bhasha Mandal, a private organisation which is striving to give Konkani its due place, and making it a part of the internet, should be lauded,” feels Prabhudesai.
