Languages in Goa [Comprehensive Guide 2022]: Konkani and Marathi (2024)

Konkani is the official state language and the most widely spoken language of Goa. However, Goa, like elsewhere in India, is multi-cultural and multi-lingual. The locals speak and write Konkani, Marathi, Kannada, Hindi, English, and even Portuguese, though they are very few in number. People from many regions have come and settled in Goa, and this is why so many languages are spoken here. Marathi comes second in popularity in the state.

The Konkani Language in Goa (goan language)

The western coast of India is popularly referred to as the Konkan coast. The culture is distinct, with its own food habits and festivals. The language is from the Devanagari script, which is common in India. But there are dissimilarities as well, as Konkani has been influenced by Portuguese over the years, when Goa was a colony of Portugal. The Portuguese ruled Goa for 450 years till 1961 when it was finally freed.

Devanagari alphabet for Konkani

Approximately 7.4 million people speak the language in India, many of whom are in Goa. It is a minority in other states and union territories – Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu. Goa is the only state where it is a majority. Almost everyone will understand in Goa, even if they cannot write in the language.

There are some similarities between the two alphabets, because they are both Indo-Aryan, and follow the Devanagari script. Many alphabets look similar and serve the same purpose. But not all of them are the same. There are some unique alphabets.

• There are 44 letters in the Hindi alphabet. In Konkani, there are 52.
• In Hindi, there are 33 consonants and 11 vowels, but in Konkani, there are 36 consonants and 16 vowels.

But in spite of these differences, the language follows a Sanskrit structure, like Hindi.

Konkani used to follow the Brahmi script once, but it’s not in use anymore. Now it is written in Devanagari, and to some extent in Malayalam, Kannada, Roman, and Persian scripts. The Devanagari script is recognized as the standard.

Konkani Language Festivals – Konkani Lokotsav is a 3-day annual festival held to celebrate the language and culture. However, the festival is not held in Goa. It is organized jointly by the Kannada Culture Department and the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy at Mangalore, which is 375.6 kilometers from Panaji. There are literary and cultural programs, choir group songs, seminars, lectures, and a food festival is also held. Books are sold. There is also a poetry festival in the city of Mangalore.

Marathi in Goa

Marathi comes second to Konkani. It is popular, because the state of Maharashtra is next to Goa. Marathi too is derived from Sanskrit, like many other Indian languages. They both use Devanagari script. Many Goa people speak them both easily.

The Official Language Act of 1987 made Konkani Goa’s official language. However, Goa’s government states that Marathi can also be used in official communication. The government will often correspond through emails and letters in Marathi. Most people comfortable in Marathi are from north Goa, bordering Maharashtra.

Interestingly, there is some conflict between the two. Supporters of Marathi consider Konkani to be one of its dialects, and the state of Goa to be a part of Maharashtra. After independence in 1961, the Goanese people had to fight to gain official recognition of their native language. They waged a stubborn struggle, which led to even bloody clashes and deaths. Finally, Konkani was recognized as the official language.

Portuguese Language in Goa

During the colonial days, only Portuguese was used in verbal and official communications. Everyone had to learn it. The missionaries would use it for every purpose. But both Konkani and Marathi survived, as parents would secretly teach their children at home. The usage of Portuguese began to fall drastically as soon as the colonists left Goa. It is not an official language at this time.

Now, you will find very few people speaking and writing in Portuguese. Only those who were born before 1961 when Goa was freed still use it. But in recent years, there is a revival, as many organizations and traditionalists are promoting Portuguese. In many schools, Portuguese is now studied as a third language.

Hindi and English

Hindi is the national language in India and spoken almost throughout the country. It is widely understood and spoken in Goa as well. Many can write in Hindi too.

English too is widely understood, and spoken, especially in the tourist places and resort areas. All educated people speak fluent English, and many, especially the teenagers, even speak in English at home. English is not as popular in the interior and village areas, though. The most widely spoken languages there are Konkani and Marathi.

Foreign tourists in Goa communicate in English with the locals. Hindi is a popular second language in the tourist places. But Indian English is different in the way Americans and the British speak. In written communication, most locals follow British English.

Phrases in Konkani

It is good to have at least a working knowledge of the goan language, as this will help you speak with the locals and understand them better. The local tongue will bring a smile on their faces. They will be friendlier, and may offer you better deals.

Here are a few common phrases, words, and numbers in Konkani that is used every day in Goa.