Searching for the right word in Konkani for an economics term? Look no further. Goa will be getting an English-to-Konkani Economics Dictionary on Monday, March 4, 2024 published by Goa Konkani Academy.
Why economics? Because the dictionary is solely the effort of Dr Vaman R Naik, a college principal whose subject is economics and who believes that such subject dictionaries are extremely important for the growth of the language.
One of the first things that Maharashtra did was publish Marathi dictionaries in various subjects, explains Naik.
“This was not done in Goa. Here it is 35 years since the Official Language Act came into force, but the progress of dictionaries is very slow,” says Naik, adding that Maharashtra has dictionaries in engineering, dentistry, medicine and various other subjects.
It wasn’t easy compiling the dictionary, and it was also a long process. “It took me ten years to do it,” says Naik, a period during which he persevered and kept at it, as otherwise the dictionary would not have got published.
On the need for an economics dictionary he says, “Konkani is the official language, even the budget was presented by Manohar Parrikar in Konkani. The first time there was a problem of terminology, but it was managed as it was done at short notice.”
"It being a technical subject, terms would be difficult to come across. “I have taken the help of earlier dictionaries, the administrative dictionary for instance. At that time, they did coin words, so I have taken from there because words should not change,” explains Naik.
The dictionary will also come in handy to students who answer competitive exams for recruitment in the IAS etc as Konkani is an optional paper.
It will also be an important reference work for administration as whatever comes from the Central government, the National Education Policy and other policies included, has to be translated into Konkani.
The need for dictionaries in technical subjects in the local language is very important.
The dictionary will also come in handy to students who answer competitive exams for recruitment in the IAS etc as Konkani is an optional paper.
“If the medium of instruction is Konkani or for any administrative purpose, you need dictionaries in knowledge-based subjects,” reiterates Naik, stressing that the social sciences have to be developed in the region’s language. And, even if the government is slow to do it, he proposes to do so himself.
“After this, I am compiling a social sciences encyclopaedia in Konkani. It is almost getting completed. It will be one book on subjects such as political science, sociology, economics, constitution, education, literature,” says Naik.
An encyclopaedia such as this would indeed be a significant contribution to the Konkani language.
The dictionary to be released on Monday is not Naik’s first book, he has about 15 in English and Konkani that have kept him busy even as he worked at SS Dempo College as lecturer and then principal, before shifting to Pune’s Sinhagad College of Commere and ISBM College of Commerce where he was also principal.
Though he has resigned as principal, he will continue as advisor to the college.
“I have written an English to Konkani dictionary of synonyms and antonyms for the government, that received a tremendous response. It was published by Konkani Academy about five or six years ago,” recalls Naik, adding, “I found time for writing despite being in teaching and administration.”
Again, the economics dictionary is not Naik’s first contribution to the Konkani language in that subject. He has also written a book in Konkani on economics titled Vedh Fudarache that was published a few years ago.
The book covered various aspects of the Indian economy, budget preparation, stock exchange, foreign investments in simple language.
