Konkani Dialects

Konkani, despite having a small population, shows a very high number of dialects. The dialect tree structure of Konkani can easily be classified according to the region, religion, caste, and local tongue influence.

Other researchers have classified the dialects differently.

Kalelkar classification

Based on the historical events and cultural ties of the speakers, N G Kalelkar has broadly classified the dialects into three main groups:

• Northern Konkani: Dialects spoken in the Sindhudurga district of Maharashtra with strong cultural ties to Marathi; i.e. Malvani

• Central Konkani: Dialects in Goa and North Kanara, where Konkani came in close contact with Portuguese language and culture

• Southern Konkani: Dialects spoken in the Canara region (Mangalore,Udupi) of Karnataka and Kasaragod of Kerala, which came in close contact with Tulu and Kannada

Maharastrian Konkani which is a group of dialects that mark the transition between Konkani and Marathi, it is  included in upper northern dialects.

It is a collection of dialects spoken in the Konkan region is referred to as Maharashtrian Konkani. The sub-dialects of Konkani gradually merge from standard Marathi into Konkani from north to south Konkan region.

The various sub dialects spoken here  are;

Vadvali language Vadvali or Phudagi was spoken by Vadvals, which means agricultural plot owners, of the Naigaon, Vasai to Dahanu region. Somavamshi Kshatriyas speak this dialect. This language is preserved mostly by the Roman Catholics native to this region, since they are predominantly a closely knit community here and have very few relatives outside this region. There are many songs in this language. Recently a book was published by Nutan Patil containing around 70 songs. The songs are about marriage, pachvi etc.

The dialect of the Agri community in Thane, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu (Salt makers) and Kolis (fisherfolk) of Vasai and neighbouring Mumbai (Bandar) resembles vadvali dialect closely, though they speak with a heavier accent. There is a village in Vasai called Chulna, which was Roman Catholic (now cosmopolitan). The striking feature of the dialect here contrasting it with Vadvali, is the preference of pronouncing the thinner 'l' and 'n' ('ल' and 'न') instead of the thicker 'l' and 'n' ('ळ' and 'ण'), which is retained even in the current generation of speakers.

Samavedi: Samvedi language is spoken in the interiors of the Nala Sopara and Virar regions to the north of Mumbai in the Vasai Taluka Uran Panvel, Thane District of Maharashtra. The name of this language suggests that its origins lie with the Samvedi Brahmins native to this region. Majority of East Indians speak this dialect.

Kadodis language: Kadodi community people were originally Brahmins, they converted to Christianity at the time of Portuguese reign, 30 years ago. There is little difference between Samvedi and Kadodi.

Thakri (Spoken by the Adivasi and Katkari community found in Raigad district).

Kadodi, Samvedi, Vadvali, Koli and Agri resembles each other very closely. Both Vadvali and Samavedi have relatively high proportions of words imported from Portuguese, because of direct influence of the Portuguese who colonised this region till 1739.

Northern Uppper Konkani Dialects:

Thane / Mumbai / Raighad District:

1. Kadodi/Samvedi

2. Kukna

3. Phugadi

4. Khatkari

5. Varli

6. Koli

7. Agri

8. Parabhi

9. Thakri

10. Dhangari

11. Maoli

Northern Lower Konkani Dialects

Ratnagiri District :

1. Sangameshwari 

2. Bankoti

3. Chitpavani

Sindhudurg District :

1. Malvani

2. Kudali

3. Karhadi

Central.Konkani Dialects

North Goa District :

1. Bardeshi

2. Bicholi

South Goa District :

1. Sashti

2. Cancona

Goa State

1. Antruzi

2. Kunbi

North Kanara District :

1. Karwari

2. Siddi

3. Nawayathi

Southern Konkani Dialects

Undivided South Kanara District:

(Mangalore, Udupi and Kasargod)

1. Kodiyali/Mangalorean Hindu

2. Kodiyali/Mangalorean Christian

Kochi / Ernakulam District :

1. Kochi Konkani