Scholar develops Konkani Grid Script

A research scholar in Konkani language, Xavier Lobo, on Wednesday said Grid Script developed on the scientific basis of Indian alphabet and International Phonetic Alphabet is better suited for the development of Konkani language.

Speaking to The Hindu, Prof. Lobo, who has developed a Grid Script for Konkani language, said the reason for his contention is that the Indian alphabet is most scientific in its sound pattern.

Besides, the IPA is based mostly on Roman/English alphabet, which is known and used throughout the world. Konkani is spoken all along the vast stretch of Konkan Coast with all its variations.

However, when it comes to expression in writing, a Konkani-speaking person in Kerala uses Malayalam script, the Konkani in Karnataka uses Kannada, in Goa, English or Devanagari, in Maharashtra - Marathi, and in Gujarat - Gujarati.

As a result, the Konkanis of different areas cannot read the Konkani of the others and be enriched. Hence, for a common mode, whereby written expression could be done, the thought of Grid Script becomes practical and workable to let all literate Konkanis communicate with each other. "People are in ease with English, so Grid Script is practical,'' he says.

He said if all Konkanis accept this proposal and start transcribing all their literature, Konkanis all over the world would benefit. Konkani would then have one medium of expression through a common script. It would enrich Konkani literature in many ways. So far the reason for the slow development in Konkani literature has been the absence of a script.

He said if only all Konkanis decided to use the script daily, the difference could be seen immediately. The main goal should be the enrichment of Konkani. Similarly, people speaking other languages without script could develop and prosper, if they used Grid Script.

According to UNESCO, there are about 6,000 languages in the world now. Over the ages, many had become extinct for lack of scripts along with their generations. The only way of keeping their languages alive and in circulation, with all regional and cultural heritage, is to adopt a script vigorously and make use of it.