Udupi: Milagres College, Kallianpur organizes University level Seminar on Phonetics & Linguistics

By P. Archibald Furtado
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 21 Jul 2022: Milagres College, Kallianpur, always remained a favorite venue for various Inter-collegiate, University, National and even International level Seminars in the past. To continue with the tradition and convenience, the Association of English Teachers, (AET – MU), the department of English, headed by none other than the principal of Milagres College, Dr Vincent Alva and his colleagues, and IQAC team led by its coordinator Dr Jayaram Shettigar, jointly organized a University level workshop/Symposium on ‘Basics of Phonetics & Linguistics,’ at their audio-visual auditorium, here on Wednesday 20.

 

As the registration was open at 9.OOam both for scholars, teachers and selected interested students from the various Colleges, both from far and near enthusiastically participated in the one day proceedings and deliberations.

 

A formal Inauguration ceremony was held at 10.00 am, with invoking Almighty Lord’s blessings, ‘aa banali minuguva taregallu, ninna pritiya haradutive’ by the students of II B Com, B, followed by a warm welcome address by convener of the event, Prof Chandrika, department of English, the host MCK in the august presence of the resource persons in learned Dr Alwyn D’Sa, registrar, St Aloysius College (Autonomous), Mangaluru, Dr Prasad Rao, principal, Government First Grade College, Hebri, Dr Victor Vaz, president – AET, Sojan George, secretary – AET.

 

 

Dr Vincent Alva, principal, Milagres College, Kallianpur, presided the function, the guest of honor Dr Leo Alva, former principal and now administrator of A Grade School, with Dufferin Peel District School Board Canada - Dr Jayaram Shettigar, IQAC coordinator and Prof Chandrka, convener for the seminar and others were present on the dais.

 

Chaitrali of the Milagres College, Kallianpur gave a perfect start with her well prepared keynote address, outlined the need and significance of such workshops, ‘which is a platform to share and interact, different viewpoints…..the language is a ‘medium of communication’ to keep the people connected and English being the international had its own evolution and progress’ as she continued with explaining how the British and American English differ in accent /pronunciation and even in spellings with examples… She said, “we in India, influenced by both  the streams and more than that our local languages too have their impact on it…’

 

Dr Leo Alva, while expressing his happiness to be a part of this seminar, shared his feelings – Language not just a means of communication but it’s the door to understand world culture as a whole, it unites people….while sharing his lifetime experiences, ‘learning to imitate the accent at times style of the people around the place where you are, will always necessary and help to both survive and establish in life……’

 

In his presidential address, Dr Vincent Alva, referred to the inaugural keynote address by Chaitrali, a student of I B Sc and appreciated the organizers for towing a different line by choosing her for this rare feat and delivering a perfect message on this occasion.

 

At the backdrop of NEP, ‘the role of language or as medium of instruction gained importance, as it is  in these days activity based, that too focusing and discussing on the international language English, phonetics and Linguistics - expressed his happiness, hope and confidence as the participants, teachers and Students will immensely benefited out it….’

 

To conclude the glittering inaugural programme, Prof Caesar Gonsalves, Dept of English, proposed vote of thanks to all who are part of and contributed for having such a resourceful workshop in the Milagres College.

 

The much-awaited Technical Session I, was started at 10.30am by Dr Alwyn DSa, on Basics of Phonetics & Phonology. A brief introduction of the resource person was given by Prof Prathima, Dept of English.

 

It was an educational session filled with hilarious moments of life time experiences.  Phonetics just understanding sounds and primacy today lies in speaking than writing, he opined. As teachers and students are partners or collaborators in learning it must be a two way inter-exchange of views…..deviating from age old learning practice of more writing than speaking in the classrooms and advised to switch over – speak first then write…..”

 

After the lunch break Second Session II, was conducted by Dr Prasad Rao on linguistics, as he focused on Morphology, Syntax, Semantics, lexicons etc was well received by the participants. A glimpse of the personality of Dr Rao was presented by Prof Caesar Gonsalves, Dept of English. While concluding the highly insightful presentation, Dr Rao informed, ‘we understand the world through words’.

 

In the beginning arrangements were in place to serve breakfast to all the participants and Lunch and evening Tea and snacks too was organized by the host, Milagres College.

 

 

Associate Professor, department of English, Pompei College, Aikala, Dr Victor Vaz, now the president of Association of English Teachers, (AET-MU) Mangalore University, had high praises and appreciation to the organizers, the Milagres College Team, led by Dr Vincent Alva, the learned resource persons, Dr Alwyn DSa and Dr Prasad Rao, and all who worked behind the screen directly or indirectly to make the workshop very useful and a great success.

 

The whole event aptly compered by talented Anouska, III BA, with her lively presentations and meticulously arranged by the Team MCK, comprising, Prof Caesar, Prof Prathima and student leaders, volunteers and participants.

 

About 75 participants both teachers and students, actively took part in the full day symposium and thoroughly enjoyed and benefited.