Konkani and assertive multilingualism in Goa, India

Abstract

The magnitude of multilingualism in India has made scholars wonder how communication happens and how social cohesion is maintained. This linguistic diversity itself is not a problem but it is what we intend to do with this diversity that could be a problem. One feature of the multilingual heritage of India is the addition of languages rather than the reduction. A recurring factor in the emergence of new languages is the challenge to the existing socio-political order by an emerging social group that seeks a separate cultural, social and political identity and power. Situating itself in this context, the authors examine the relation between the changing nuances of the Konkani language and society of Goa in India. This phenomenon is a characteristic feature of linguistic plurality, not only in Goa but in India as a whole. The paper deals with the shift from organic accommodating linguistic plurality to institutional assertive multilingualism, while focusing on two issues pertaining to assertive multilingualism in Goa. The authors feel that there is a dear transition from functional multilingualism to contested multilingualism, and that some form of language-related conflict has always been present.