Language and the Public Sphere
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LANGUAGE AND THE PUBLIC SPHERE (A Sociological Study of the Language Question in Goa since 1987) by Joanna G. Pereira 50 6 • Thesis submitted for the award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology Department of Sociology Goa University Goa April 2010 Cadictidal-e DECLARATION I, Joanna G. Pereira, hereby declare that this thesis entitled "Language and the Public Sphere (A Sociological Study of the Language Question in Goa since 1987)" is the outcome of my own study undertaken under the guidance of Dr. Ganesha Somayaji, Reader and Head, Department of Sociology, Goa University. It has not previously formed the basis for the award for any degree, diploma or certificate of this or any other university. I have duly acknowledged all the sources used by me in the preparation of this thesis. Date: f p2 D z+V©r0 Joanna G. Pereira ii CERTIFICATE This is to certify that the thesis entitled "Language and the Public Sphere (A Sociological Study of the Language Question in Goa since 1987)" is the record of the original work done by Smt. Joanna G. Pereira under my guidance and supervision. The results of the research presented in this thesis have not previously formed the basis for the award of any degree, diploma or certificate of this or any other university. Date: 1 o LOAM Dr. Ganesha Somayaji (Guide) Reader and Head, Department of Sociology, Goa University, Goa Mood Depostiment of SOCiOlOGIV Goo Univorsity. Gee 403 206 iii To Rebecca Coelho, My Daughter iv PREFACE AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The people of Goa, like the people of any other linguistic state of India, are conscious of their language Konkani as the marker of their regional and cultural identity. This has been reiterated by the fact that ever since Liberation on 19 December 1961 the political dynamics of Goa has directly or indirectly been impacted by language dynamics. The merger issue of 1960s and statehood issue of 1980s were the classic examples. Even such recent socio-political issues as opposition to mega developmental projects and demand for special constitutional status to Goa have language as the major canvas of political activities. Recognising the salience of language in Goa's civil life, I studied the social context of language ideologies for my Master's dissertation in 2003. Continuing my interest in the language and society relationship in Goa, I noticed a research potential in the sociological study of language in the public sphere since Goa attained statehood. A spurt in literary activities, episodic linguistic political mobilisations, and emotion ridden debates in the public sphere on the 'authentic' script for Konkani made me to articulate this research problem. This thesis has been enriched by the contributions of a number of individuals. I am indebted to Dr. Ganesha Somayaji, Reader and Head, Department of Sociology, Goa University who is my research guide for accepting me as his research student. I thank him for his meticulous guidance, tolerance, and for his confidence in my abilities. I am indebted to Prof. N. Jayaram, Shri Alito Siqueira, Dr. V. Sujatha, and Dr. Manish Kumar Thakur, my teachers in the Department of Sociology who inspired me to pursue sociology as a profession. I remember with gratitude the keen interest shown in my work by Dr. Dilip Loundo, occupant of the erstwhile Brazilian Chair in the Department of Sociology. I am indebted to all of my respondents who gave so generously and enthusiastically of their time and energy. Dr. Harishchandra Nagvenkar and Shri Naguesh Karmali even invited me to share lunch with their families. I thank Dr. Madhavi Sardessai, lecturer in Konkani at Goa University for always accommodating me and my queries. My thesis would have been incomplete without the long interactions with Adv. Uday Bhembre who enlightened me with his encyclopaedic knowledge of Konkani language movement and inspired me with his simplicity and dedication to the cause of Konkani. I gratefully acknowledge the many sessions that I had with him. I have been extremely fortunate to have had interacted with some Konkani stalwarts before they left for their heavenly abode — Prof. Manoharrai Sardessai, Shri Chandrakant Keni, Dr. Mathew Almeida, and Prof. Olivinho Gomes. During the course of my research, I visited libraries of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, SNDT Women's University, and the Mumbai University in Mumbai and Pune University, British Council, Ferguson College, and Deccan College Pune. I thank the staff of these libraries, as well as the staff of the Goa University Library for all the assistance they rendered. Shri Eric Ozario, the Gurkar of Kalaangan/Mandd Sobhann, Mangalore overwhelmed me with his inimitable hospitality when I visited Kalaangan in June 2009. I salute his dedication to Konkani culture and language. I gratefully acknowledge the support and confidence that my parents and sister have always had in my abilities. I thank my friend and colleague, Ms. Pournima Dhume for being the perfect sounding board during the many difficult moments and for coaxing me into meeting the various deadlines. I am indebted to my husband for all the practical support rendered, for taking care of matters concerning home so that I could focus on my research. This thesis is to my daughter - for all the love that she gives and all the sacrifices she had to make in the course of writing of this thesis. vi CONTENTS Page Number Preface and Acknowledgement 1. Chapter One: Introduction 1-18 2. Chapter Two: Multilingualism in India: The Context and 19-58 Perspectives 3 Chapter Three: Multilingualism and Multiple Public Spheres 59-111 in Goa: A Historical and Political Sociological Account 4 Chapter Four: Making of the Linguistic and Literary Public 112-152 Sphere after 1987 5 Chapter Five: Official Language, Public Sphere, and Civil 153-178 Society 6 Chapter Six: The Script Question in Goa 179-215 7 Chapter Seven: Towards Consolidation of the Public Sphere 216-245 8 Chapter Eight: Summary and Conclusions 246-260 9 Selected Bibliography 261-272 vii CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION Goa was liberated from Portuguese colonial rule on 19 December 1961. Immediately after Liberation, Goa began the process of integrating with the mainland, from which it had been cut off for over four hundred and fifty years. Goa, like any other unit of the Indian Union, had to experience the process of nation building which was couched in religious, ethnic, and linguistic nuances. While in the early years of Independence, religion posed a grave threat to the making of 'India', issues pertaining to language soon became a major challenge for nation building. The centrality of language to the functioning and formation of the Union was acknowledged in the politico- administrative decision, taken in 1957, of redrawing the territorial boundaries of the Indian Union on linguistic lines. Accordingly, once liberated, Goa too had to comply with the norm of linguistic states. This development brought back into focus the key role that language has played in articulating the public sphere in Goa right from its inception during Portuguese colonial rule. Language has continued to play an integral part in defining the socio-political landscape of post colonial Goa. This fundamentality of language in chartering the social, religious, and political history of the public sphere in Goa prompted me to research the language question at the dusk of the twentieth century and dawn of the twenty-first century. This thesis addresses the specific problem of the political dimension of language use in the public sphere of Goa. My study, located at the juncture where language, politics and society intersect, attempts to highlight the varying nuances of this interface. It has sought to understand the language question in Goa, specifically after the passing of the Official Language Act on 4 February, 1987. Ordinarily this Act should have put to rest questions pertaining to language use in Goa where language has been dominating the political landscape ever since Liberation. Interestingly, this has not happened. My study addresses notions of literary cultures, linguistic identities and their social and political implications by locating them in the wider context of colonial domination, print production, religious advocacy, political compulsions, and the deliberations of the various elite in the public sphere in Goa. It has examined the role that language played in the public sphere of Goa, more specifically after 1987. POLITICS OF LANGUAGE USE Language is primarily a medium of expression and communication. But what it expresses and communicates goes beyond simple speech. It is inundated with symbolic power. Both primordial and instrumental components such as our identity, culture, social position, and education are all manifested in language. Languages can be a unifying, mobilising and as well as a disintegrating force. If a given language in its positive role serves as a vital instrument of social, cultural, and national integration, then conversely in its negative role, it can serve as a powerful divisive tool (Prasad 1979: 9 cited in Rodrigues 2002: 43). Language can be a source of public discontent, a pawn in the tug of domestic politics. Questions relating to language have evoked strong emotions in India as linguistic diversity is also related to ethnic diversity. Being an element of primordial loyalty, language is a potent source of ethnification. But there is nothing inherent in the nature of language, which automatically makes it the basis for political contestations. In fact, up to the 19 th century, we cannot speak of a dominant language with reference to linguistic practices in India; there is the language of ritual and religion, the language of the court and elite, the language of the home and neighbourhood (Pandit 1977). This usage of different languages for varied purposes 2 enabled harmony with regard to language use.