With the emergence of worldwide markets
and globalisation on the whole, interest in linguistics is a growing trend. In
this light, the Portuguese language around the world is growing too, for not
only is Portuguese used in its native country, Portugal, but also in Brazil as
well as parts of Africa, Latin America, Asia and Europe. A recent visitor to
the state, Ana Paula Laborinho, President of the Lisbon-based Camões –
Instituto da Cooperação e da Lingua, feels that Goa can contribute greatly in
this growth, through its historic links with Portugal.
“There can be a sort of linkage created
wherein the rest of India turns to Goa just as Beijing turns to Macau, when it
comes to learning of the Portuguese language. As such, we can work towards ensuring
that Goa can act as a hub for the teaching of the Portuguese language for the
rest of the country, as the state has shown high interest in the language,” she
says.
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The institute that forms a part of the
manifesto of Portugal’s Ministry of External Affairs, grants aid and support to
1,50,000 students and 1,000 teachers in 72 countries across the world, and
according to Laborinho, it is still a work in progress. “We have been on campus
visits to three colleges on this trip. These include VM Salgaocar College of
Law in Panjim, St Xavier’s College in Mapusa, and Parvatibai Chowgule College
in Margao. Over the course of these visits, we have realised that while
language in itself plays a huge role, there are also other things that matter
even more than language. There are cultural traces when it comes to the bond
between Portugal and Goa, and we could fortify these traces. Furthermore, law
plays an important role. The Civil Code followed here in Goa is based on
Portuguese law. As such, it is a great aspect of learning that needs to be
touched upon. Furthermore, the institute will extend support in the training of
Portuguese language teachers,” she says.
Camões – Instituto da Cooperação e da
Lingua also supports the Indo-Portuguese Friendship Society. The latter group
has trained more than 6,000 students in the Portuguese language since its
inception eight years ago.
This marks Laborinho’s first visit to
Goa, and she leaves pleased with the level of interest garnered by the
Portuguese language in Goa. Marking an end to her trip, she says, “I am happy
with the level of enthusiasm indicated by Goa University, which conducts
Portuguese language courses at various levels across BA, MA and doctoral level.
We have great plans for development in the future too.”
