A book linking two languages

Mangalore, the coastal city of Karnataka is diverse in many aspects. Here people speak many languages, which make the city unique as far as the language is concerned.

Mangalore also serves as the main health hub for North Kerala people. More than one lakh Keralites are settled in Mangalore and nearby areas. In order to reduce the language problem being faced by the Keralites coming here and to help the Keralites who live in Mangalore, G R Kurup, a man who is living here for the last 50 years has written a book titled “Malayalam-Kannada mutual learning,” which not only provides an opportunity to learn Kannada, but also helps the Kannada speaking people to learn Malayalam.

In the book, the author has given more importance to the pronunciation of words in both languages. The words are arranged in such a way that words in both languages with similar meaning are given in Malayalam alphabetical order. “When we are living in one state, it is our duty to learn that language. Keralites, who settled here and who studied in Kannada medium know Kannada well. But most of the parents prefer English medium for their kids. This has led to a situation where the kid doesn’t know Kannada and even the Malayalam is not proper. As far as the Malayali housewives are concerned, they might know Tulu, through interaction with their neighbours. But still they have difficulty with Kannada. I thought writing a book will help them to overcome that difficulty,” says Kurup.

Many words, which are used in both languages, are almost same. The book would help to understand such words with proper pronunciation. The book also includes alphabets and numbers in both languages.

About the author
An active active trade union leader in the undivided South Canara district, G R Kurup came to Mangalore in 1962 to work as a civil craftsman in harbour and Junior Health Officer in Bantwal.  Later, he became the staff of Mineral Enterprises and still working in the same company. An active member of Students Federation in Kerala, Kurup later served as the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) District President and State Secretary.

He was also the Port Trustee Member. At the age of 40, in 1980, he was caught by the Polio Myelitis disease and from then onwards, his life is on wheelchair. But still he continuous his writings. He published two volumes of a book titled ‘Guide to Mangalore and South Canara which gives the cultural diversities and fact files of Mangalore and South Canara district. He also published a monthly ‘Mangalore Vartha’ in Malayalam from 1976 for 13 years. Now he is the publisher of ‘Samaja Sandesham.’