Mangalore: English-Kannada-Konkani dictionary released


Mangalore: English-Kannada-Konkani dictionary released

Pics: Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (NM)

Mangalore, Feb 27: A voluminous trilingual English - Kannada - Konkani dictionary, containing approximately 50,000 words, was released by Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza in a glittering function at Kalaangann, Shaktinagar, here on Wednesday February 26.

The dictionary, compiled by Stephen Quadras Permude and Fr Basil Vaz, has been published by Patha Darshini Seva Trust.

Prior to the release of the three-language dictioary, renowned litterateurs Dr Na D'Souza and Sara Abubakker and linguist Dr K V Narayana unveiled English - Konkani dictionary, Kannada - Konkani dictionary, and English - Kannada - Konkani dictionary, respectively, in a unique manner. The dictionary was then officially launched by the bishop.

Addressing the gathering, Bishop Dr Aloysius D'Souza said, "Earlier in 2007 an English - Konkani dictionary was released, which personally benefited me a lot as I often referred to it. The three-language dictionary wil serve a greater purpose, as all three languages are ones that we converse with in our everyday lives. A dictionary helps in a learning a new language."

Congratulating compilers of the dictionary Stephen Quadras Permude and Fr Basil Vas, he said, "This is your gift to Konkani language. There is so much of English influence nowadays, everybody is enamoured by English. We need to speak Konkani in our day-to-day lives in order to preserve it. Many schools have introduced Konkani with this intention."

Sara Abubakker said, "This dictionary will be of much use to people like me who are into translation. I have translated several works of Malayalam to Kannada. Earlier foreigners used to come here and write about this place, for instance, Rani Abbakka was not known until a foreigner wrote about her. It is because of colonialists that we could get education, and because of them that caste discrimination reduced to a certain extent. Christian missionaries contributed a lot to education and healthcare. But what is happening now? There are attacks on churches, and Christians and Muslims are given tags of 'conversion' and 'love Jihad'. There is no problem with conversion or inter-caste marriage. The Constitution does not prohibit it, and it is purely an individual choice."

In his address, Dr Na D'Souza said, "It is impotant to be familiar with many languages. Konkani language saw tough days from the beginning, as even the Portuguese did not allow it to flourish. Nevertheless, despite the hindrances, Konkani survived. Konkani has a history of a thousand years but it was only in 1938 that the first Konkani dictionary was released, compiled by Angelo Francis and published by Basel mission. After that several have dictionaries have been published, however, the English - Kannada - Konkani dictionary is a new concept. It is for the first time a Konkani dictionary has been compiled with 50,000 words, earlier the maximum was 30,000 words. This means a lot of research, a lot of hard work and efforts have gone into it."

Dr K V Narayana highlighted the importance of being multi-lingual and said, "Language played an important role in the post independence era, as it was the basis on which the states were formed. According to 2001 survey, there are 4 crore people speaking Konkani in the country and it is written in more than five scripts. Konkani speakers are in Karnataka bound to learn Kannada, as they use Kannada script, and the same holds good for Tulu speakers. Hence, while learning Konkani and Tulu, the individual learns Kannada too. But it is not so in the case of Kannada as it has its own script. Konkani and Tulu speakers are thus multi-lingual."

"The Anglo-Saxons felt that multi-lingualism was a hindrance to development and wanted a single language (English). However, the idea that multi-lingualism is a deterrent to growth is a myth, and it has been busted now. Knowing more languages is not a problem, and in fact, monolinguists have become an endangered species today. In this era of globalisation and technology it is difficult to survive as a monolinguist, whereas, a multi-linguist has more opportunities to explore," he said.

Prof Priyadarshini S Padkodkar, HoD of Konkani, University of Goa said that the richness of language depends on its vocabulary. "Dictionary is a source of words in a language. A multi-lingual dictionary provides a channel for readers to read the works of other languages too," she added.

Compiler of the dictionary Stephan Quadros said, "We have been working on this dictionary from three years. We have included approximately 50,000 words and spent Rs 14 lac on this venture. Each dictionary costs Rs 2000."

Stephen Quadras and Fr Basil Vaz were felicitated on the occasion.

Roy Castelino welcomed the gathering while Fr Basil Vaz propozed the vote of thanks.

Members of Patha Darshini Seva Trust Anil Coelho and Alwyn Desa Permude and others were present.

 

  

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Comment on this article

  • Dr Mohan Prabhu, LL.D, QC, Mangalore (Kankanady)/Ottawa, Canada

    Tue, Oct 02 2018

    Congratulations on this unique treasure, to the compiler Prof. Quadras. I would appreciate knowing where I could find a copy. Please inform me. Thank you.

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  • Ravi David, Valencia

    Tue, Sep 19 2017

    congrats it's a great contribution for Konkani speaking people

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Maheshkumar, bangalore

    Mon, Nov 30 2015

    i want learn konkani language pleas e help me

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Stephen Quadros Permude, Mangalore

    Mon, Sep 22 2014

    Grateful to God and to all of you

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Austin Prabhu, Nantur/Chicago

    Sat, Mar 08 2014

    Congratulations Prof. Stephen Quadros for your great venture in bringing this dictionary. Your hard work will be remembered by Koknani generations to come. God bless you in your mission.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Fr Philip Roque, Karwar

    Sat, Mar 01 2014

    Dear Fr Basil ,and Stephen, congratulations for the great and commendable work of yours for Konkani. May God bless you.

    DisAgree [1] Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • vallyvagga, Mysore

    Sat, Mar 01 2014

    ಸಂವಿಧಾನಾಚೆ ಆಟ್ವೆ ವೊಳೆರಿಂತ್ ಆಸ್ಚೆ ಕೊಂಕ್ಣಿ ಭಾಶೆಚೆ,
    ಸಮಗ್ರ್ ಸಾಹಿತಿಕ್ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧೆ ಖಾತಿರ್, ವಿವಿಧ್ ಆನಿ ಸಬಾರ್ ಸಬ್ದಾ-ಭಂಡಾರಾಚ್ಯೊ ಡಿಕ್ಶನರಿ ರಚಿತ್ ಜಾಯ್ಜಾಯ್.
    ಅಶೆಂ ಆಸ್ತಾಂ, 50,000 ಸಬ್ದಾಂಚಿ ಇಂಗ್ಲಿಶ್, ಕನ್ನಡ-
    ಕೊಂಕಣಿ ಡಿಕ್ಶನರಿ ಉಜ್ವಾಡಾಕ್ ಹಾಡ್ ಲ್ಲ್ಯಾ, ಪ್ರೊ. ಸ್ಟೀವನ್ ಕ್ವಾಡ್ರಸ್, ಬಾಪ್.ಬಾಜಿಲ್ ವಾಸ್ ಹಾಂಚ್ಯಾ ಸಾಹಿತಿಕ್ ವ್ಹಡ್ಪಣಾಚಾ ಮಾನಾಪಾತ್ರ್ ವಾವ್ರಾಕ್, ಅರ್ಗಾಂ ಆನಿ ಹೊಗ್ಳಾಪ್ ಫಾವೊ!

    DisAgree [1] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ida Pinto, Bajpe

    Fri, Feb 28 2014

    Congrat's to Pathadarshini Seva Trust Publisher's team. You have done a great job....

    DisAgree [1] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • FR FELIX MONTEIRO, BADYAR, MANGALORE

    Thu, Feb 27 2014

    Dear Fr Basil Vas and Mr Stephen Quardras, great and commendable work for the konkani, Kannada and English world. You deserve for the great award. Thanks. May this great work be rewarded with thousands of subscribers or buyers. God bless both of you and your trust and donors.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Peter oswald Rodrigues, Mangalore

    Thu, Feb 27 2014

    Congratulations Steevan,great job.Hope this will inspire u to do many more literary things.I had a glance of it. It has come out very well.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Fr. Franklin D'Souza, Paladka/CBCI NEW DELHI

    Thu, Feb 27 2014

    GREAT WORK.....it will be a great treasure for the community as well as for the study..THESE PEOPLE should be awarded for such an magnanimous work.....CONGRATSSSSSSSSS

    DisAgree [1] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • J.F.D'SOUZA, ATTAVAR,MANGALORE

    Thu, Feb 27 2014

    Congrats Stephen quadros and Fr.Basil Vas for presenting trilingual Dictionary to the Society. The great efforts taken to prepare the dictionary needs to be appreciated. Hitherto I was finding it difficult to use certain konkanni words while writing articles, etc. Now I have randomly gone through the dictionaries and now I am sure that I can get appropriate Konkanni words in my articles. Kudos to you.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • William, Bantwal

    Thu, Feb 27 2014

    Congrats! So many big big dictionaries. No place in the house. It is good for all, for goans also.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • naveen kulshekar, mangalore

    Thu, Feb 27 2014

    porbim tumkam mogall stephen ani baap./basil! konknnint ek vhod orthkosh borovn progott keleleak.hea koshea vorvim konknni boroiteleank borpur modot mellteli mhonn mozo ondaz.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Albert Gonsalves, Mangalore / UAE

    Thu, Feb 27 2014

    Congratulations Stephen Quadras and Fr. Basil Vaz on the release of your multilingual dictionary. You have done a commendable job and your efforts have borne fruit. However, I hope Konkani and Kannada words in the dictionary are also printed in the Roman script as I have noticed though most people converse in Kannada and Konkani they are unable to read the Kannada script for various reasons. I am sure many will agree with me.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Joy Paladka, Mira Road

    Thu, Feb 27 2014

    Congratulations Stephen & Fr. Basil Vaz.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Victor Tauro Permude, Bangalore

    Thu, Feb 27 2014

    Dear Stephen Permude and Fr. Vaz this is your greatest gift to the Konkani Language. May God bless you for this gift.
    Really, this is a huge achievement a milestone indeed for Konkani Language. Alwyn D'Souza Permude you have done good work by being a trustee.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • B.S.Valder, Permude/Mangalore/Mumbai

    Thu, Feb 27 2014

    Congrats Mr.Steven and Fr.Vas.It will be very useful for a number of people.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dr.Fernandes H.R., Mangalore/ Dubai

    Thu, Feb 27 2014

    Very commendable Work. Where is it available in Mangalore? Elsewhere.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Helen B Nazareth, Mangalore/Mumbai

    Thu, Feb 27 2014

    Congratulations to Mr.Stephen Quadras Permude and Fr Basil Vaz, also the team work involved for their hard work for preparing and releasing the English, Kannada and Konkani language dictionary. It is very useful for the generation to learn and know the meaning of the languages.
    May God Bless you all.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • CGS , Valencia

    Thu, Feb 27 2014

    English-Kannada-Konkani trilingual dictionary is a "Magnum Opus", the
    greatest dictionary ever compiled and published in Konkani so far.Kudos to Prof.Stephen Quadras
    Permaude and Fr.Basil Vas,Alangar.
    Thanks to Pathadarshini Seva Trust,the publishers of this great work.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Mangalore: English-Kannada-Konkani dictionary released



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