Language in Timor-Leste

For the people of Timor-Leste, as for all peoples, language is an essential part of their culture, of their way of perceiving life, environment, of communicating with others.  Originally of Melanesian origin, Timorese people for centuries lived in eleven tribal divisions, using over thirty local languages.  Those most commonly spoken were Tetun, Mambae, Macassae and Tokodede.  Of these, Tetun is used  and  understood in most of the island, and is now the first-named official language as declared by the 2002 Constitution [Article 13].

Because of its position on the sea trading route between Asia and Europe, the island’s population was from the 14th century onwards increased by traders - Dutch, Portuguese, Malay, Chinese, even a group from Yemen.  The eastern part of the island was a Portuguese colony for four hundred years, resulting in a significant addition to the racial mix as well as influencing the language.  The official language in those years in areas of government, education and church was Portuguese. 

With the backing of the Vatican,  Bishop Carlos Belo made Tetun the official liturgical language of the Catholic Church, a decision which made that language even more significant, since over 90% of the island’s population is Catholic, with a strong spiritual tradition.  Politically the significance was even greater since East Timor had been invaded and ruled by Indonesia since 1975 and the official language of government and education had been Bahasa Indonesia.  After the declaration of independence in 2002, traditional languages were again adopted officially.  Portuguese remained the language of government.  An example of the dual use of languages occurred when Prime Minister José Ramos-Horta made his acceptance speech in Portuguese, while the new President Xanana Gusmão delivered his acceptance in Tetun.

The present curriculum for Timor-Leste schools includes Portuguese and  Tetun.  In addition, trading, diplomatic and employment requirements have given impetus to the inclusion of English in school and tertiary curricula.  One important factor in the study of these languages is that until recently Tetun was a spoken language, but not written.