BOOK REVIEW
TITLE : Lisbon to Colombo
A Study of Portuguese Sounding Words in Sinhala Language
AUTHOR : SUJEEVA NUGAWILA
PUBLISHER : AUTHOR PUBLICATION 2016 JANUARY
Reviewed by Hemantha Situge
e-mail : hsituge@gmail.com
blog : Hemantha Situge@blogspot.com
The splendid book entitled : “Lisbon to Colombo” subtitled – A study of Portuguese sounding words in Sinhala Language written by Sujeewa Nugawila published by himself, was released recently.
This reviewer could find an admonition of the author Sujeewa Nugawila in the introduction of the book ‘Lisbon to Colombo’. Thus : “The writer cannot confirm or prove that all words documented are totally relevant and accurate although almost every word listed has a relative of not a similar sounding present day Sinhala word in use, a connected meaning or even a simile”.
The writer has culled out from fourteen subjects or categories of Portuguese sounding words which are found as chapters of his book. They are viz. People, behaviour, attire, culinary, health, other species, war household items, civil/ mechanical, nature, religions/ superstition, trade, areas and swear/slang.
The subject of the author is indeed an epoch making, a novel concept. Though the book is entitled : ‘Lisbon to Colombo’, the book has dealt with ‘a study of Portuguese sounding words in Sinhala language’. Writer Nugawila has also placed on record in his introduction that : “It is further speculated in recent times that over 1000 Portuguese words have been drawn to the Sinhala language which however has not officially been confirmed. The writer however has based his narration on over 2000 words.”
The most salient feature of this book titled : ‘Lisbon to Colombo’ is that the word ‘Aiyo’ that which was relegated to have its roots in Sinhalese and Tamil languages which has recently gone into the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) one could find that contains similar roots in the Portuguese language. Hence the author Sujeewa Nugawila states at page 21 of his book that :
“………… the Sinhalese word ‘aiyoe’ is frequently used in Sinhala as an exclamation when expressing disappointment and sadness. The Portuguese word ‘ai’ means alas! …….”.
Apart from this word, the Sinhalese ‘Carapotta’ word, was a querry raised by Mr. Tissa Devendra in the JRAS, SL 1997 volume in the ‘notes and queries section. At page 72 thus: Did Lourenco’s ship carry stoways? Mr. Devendra states that: when “he was reading a travel book ‘Brazilian Adventure by Peter Flaming (Jonathan Cape 1933)’"that he ‘has serendipitously discovered that Portuguese speaking Brazilians call a certain insect carapatos!’, where Emeritus Professor Vini Vitharana replied in the negative. But Abraham Mendis Gunasekara in 1892 has stated in his ‘Comprehensive Grammar of the Sinhalese Language’ that it derived from the Tamil word karappan puchchi.
Sujeeva Nugawila states at page 97 Chapter 6 – ‘Other species’ – The Portuguese word carapoto/ barata Portuguese meaning tick/ insect/ roach has drawn out the similar Sinhala word as ‘Carapotu’. Hence the Sinhala word Carapotta has received a salutory answer to its origins.
Both Sinhalese and Tamil words on ‘Carapotta’ could claim to their origin relegated as in the Portuguese word like ‘Aiyo’.
The reviewer has found several lapses in the book. Firstly, at page 4 the author Sujeeva Nugawila states that : “By manifest of Portuguese royal decree females were prohibited from sailing while sailors were not dissuaded from finding local wives and willing lovers at their ports of call.” Prof. Tikiri Abeysinghe in his “Portuguese Regimentos in Sri Lanka” published by National Archives where he cites several instances where batches of Portuguese orphan women whom were sent to the East in batches for the Portuguese of sailors/ soldiers to marry them.
Secondly, at page 137 of the book ‘Parakramabahu’ evidently Parakramabahu the great or I is referred to as a 7th Century ruler. It is 1153 to 1186 AD, the Polonnaruwa period, i.e. the 10th century is where this king ruled.
Thirdly, at page 238, of the book no 2 stamp is not of Colombo Fort it is undoubtedly Barreto de Resende's map circa 1640 in colour on Galle Fort found among the Sloane Mss. in the British Museum. The easiest way to identify same is the words “GVALE” is found on the map. Vide: F. H. de Vos in JDBU Volume 2. ‘R. L. Brohier’s Links between Sri Lanka and the Netherlands.’ 1978 at p44.A similar black and white but not an identical map is of Anthonio Bocaro’s is found in a posthumously published article of Prof Tikiri Abhaysinghe's was introduced by G. P. S. Haris de Silva in JRASSL.
Fourthly, at page 237 of his book Nugawila states that “Knox’s experiences here is said to have influenced the story line of Daniel Defoe’s acclaimed novel ‘Robinson Crusoe’ in 1719, Defoe’s thoughts may have influenced by the hospitality and interaction of the aborigines ‘Vedda’ community to a disoriented Portuguese soldier.” I invite the author Sujeewa Nugawila to read Dr. Catherine Frank’s CRUSOE. Dr. Frank has proved beyond doubt that Knox’s book has not influenced Defoe for his novel on “Robinson Crusoe”. However the next lines of Nugawila is open for discussion to ascertain whether Defoe has had such an interaction?
Rather than going in a voyage of discovery to comprehend the ‘Portuguese sounding words in Sinhala Language’ it would have been more apposite to have place on record what is there and what is accepted. This reviewer is of the view that this title of your book should include both of them. No doubt you have open a forum or hot debate for the lexicographers from the present opus. This reviewer finds these words which are derived from the Portuguese are not enlisted in your book. They are viz. Lister in Sinhalese Leestaraya, Buona vista i.e. magnificent view (Galle). Topah in Sinhalese Tuppahi, Bico in Sinhalese Bikkuwa, Komisan Kereema (confession) Sankiristian Kamaraya, Cabouco or Cavouco in Sinhalese Cabook.
Study of Portuguese words in the Sinhalese language is not a virgin terrain for Sujeewa Nugawila to trod on, but the topic ‘Portuguese sounding words’ is most likely it is. In the latter topic, there were pioneers like: Andreas or Louis Nell, Rev. Fr.S.G. Perera, Prof Punchi Bandara Sannasgala, Prof. D. E. Hettiarachchi all who have written extensively on this topic. Finally this reviewer is reminded of another article by Prof. K. N. O. Dharmadasa titled : ‘The Impact of Portuguese on the Sinhala Language’ at page 199 of the book entitled : “The Portuguese in the Orient” An ICES publication 2010,and more recently Shihan de Silva Wijayaratne. This reviewer does not find these books articles, papers are enlisted in this book.
This reviewer wishes to comment on three accounts found in your book. They are viz.
Firstly, your account on the ‘buru ande’ page 123 of your book. It is well-known that this bed was introduced by the Boer prisoners’ of war. Hence ‘Boer’s bed’ became buru ande in Sinhaliese The writer Sujeewa Nugawila attempt to draw out roots from the Portuguese word ‘berco’ therefore has no relevance or pertinence. This writer is of the fervent opinion that it is not tenable or an authentic account.
Secondly, at page 140 of your book the account on the Portuguese inscription found in at the Sankapala Viharaya Ratnapura together with the photograph of the carving on the Portuguese officer and Sinhala warrior found at page 108 of your book. J. P. Lewis in his magnum opus on Tombstones at page 286 quotes William Skeen on the ‘Adams Peak’ thus: “The sculpture was no doubt executed in Europe by royal or vice-regal command, and sent hitherto do honour to the soldier whose valorous deed it commemorated.”
Lewis also quotes Donald Ferguson’s transcript and translation published in JRAS CB Vol XVI (Vide : Lewis at P287) the translation clearly stated that the Portuguese officer for 23(?) Years in India for 15(?) years has served as a captain’ the officer in referred to as a person ‘who conquered kings of Jaffna and the Sinhalese kings.’ The officer who conquered is referred in the inscription as ‘Simaō Pinhaō’. Lewis also rules out the possibility of the Sinhalese warrior is as Kuruwita Bandara or Kuruwiti Ralahami ‘who was of the title of the renegade Antonio Barreto’, ‘Simaō Pinhaō was certainly dead by that time’. So as you say it is not ‘rumored to be a description of the Portuguese officer ‘categorically it is referred to a Portuguese captain according to the inscription found there in. The reviewer is of the view this description cannot be accounted as ‘a half caste Portuguese turned traitor being publicly executed for his duplicity by the same officer’ as you say, it is a sheer pretentious sign evoking a sense of fear to the public that may be even as ‘a warning to the public’ as you say.
But Sir Paul E. Pieris in his ‘Ceylon Portuguese Era volume I (1913) 1992 (at P 404 f.n.3) Tisara Publications refers to the article cited by Lewis Supra written by Donald W. Ferguson and has stated that ‘he was however mistaken as to the identity of the Sinhalese warrior, whose name is still remembered in local tradition’. Facing page 406 of the same book the caption he carries to the same carving referred to by Sujeewa Nugawila is as ‘Pinhao and Ratneka Mudiyanse’ so it is evident that Sir Paul E. Peiris view have cleared out the doubts hither to existed. But he has not supported this local tradition through any historical authoritative text.
Thirdly, Prof CR de Silva’s article : ‘First visit of the Portuguese 1505 or 1506’ in the light of the letter published in an old pamphlet by Juan Augur originally published in Salomanca (Spain) in September 1512 which is not referred to in your book.Should it be taken as cum grano salus or with a pinch of salt!
This reviewer advocates further the following three books for your kind perusal. They are viz.
01) Rev. John Callaway’s Portuguese – English Dictionary 1818 Wesleyan mission publication.
02) W. B. Fox’s A Dictionary in the Sinhalese, Portuguese and English Languages.
03) William Buckley Fox – A Compendium of the Ceylon Portuguese Language CLR (3rd series) Vol IV No. 7, January 1936 pages 281 to 292
This reviewer has not traced the last two books.
My acquaintance with the Ferreira on Family of Galle all who are no more- all whom were Portuguese burgher descendants- from Anchorage of Mahamodera – all were Aloysians like the reviewer– Anton, and the two twin brothers Ben and Eric made me learn a few lines from their fragments of the original mother tongue was to be. That is : KUME BEBE FUJE MARE i.e. EAT DRINK F…… AND DIE – lingers in my memory with a sense of nostalgia.
Sujeewa Nugawila’s ‘Lisbon to Colombo’ has opened the gateway and sought to trail the blaze to ascertain the Portuguese sounding words in Sinhala Language. In other words this is a book on philology, lexicography and phonetics, which compels us to re-examine or re-encounter the roots of certain words used in the Sinhala Language in the light of evidence that could be in support to believe or to disbelieve same.
Finally this reviewer is reminded of an ancient maxim thus: “The initiation of all wise or noble things comes and must come, from individuals, generally at first from some individual”. This reviewer dares to say that the author of “Lisbon to Colombo” Sujeewa Nugawila is one such individual.
Very Interesting, this review it is explanatory and I well understood, but now I should read the book: Lisbon to Colombo. Thank you for this ! Regards Piero Perondi
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