Timor-Leste's two official languages are Portuguese and Tetum, and its two working languages are English and Indonesian. The country also has an estimated 32 indigenous languages: Tetun Prasa, Tetun Terik, Adabe, Atauran, Baikenu, Bekais, Bunak, Dadu’a, Fataluku, Galoli, Habun, Idalaka, Idate, Isni, Kairui, Kawaimina, Kemak, Lakalei, Lolein,
Makalero, Sa’ani, Makasai, Makuva, Mambai, Midiki, Nanaek, Naueti, Rahesuk, Raklungu, Resuk, Tokodede, and Waima’a.
The General Directorate of Statistics keeps statistics on how many people speak each Timorese language. For example, the census divides population by mother tongue and age. The latest language statistics, from 2015, can be found under the "Language" link on Volume 2 of the census publication.
Relevant Databases
Below are databases that contain articles on Timor-Leste's linguistic makeup.
- Linguistics and Language Behavior Abstracts (LLBA) This link opens in a new windowThis database abstracts and indexes the international literature in linguistics and related disciplines in the language sciences. The database covers all aspects of the study of language including phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics. Documents indexed include journal articles, book reviews, books, book chapters, dissertations and working papers.
- MLA International Bibliography This link opens in a new window
Alternate version: MLA International Bibliography in the classic EBSCO user interface (best for exporting more than 50 results or combining saved searches).Indexes critical materials on literature, languages, linguistics, and folklore. Proved access to citations from worldwide publications, including periodicals, books, essay collections, working papers, proceedings, dissertations and bibliographies.
- Historical Abstracts with Full Text This link opens in a new window
Alternate version: Historical Abstracts with Full Text in the classic EBSCO user interface (best for exporting more than 50 results or combining saved searches). Covers the history of the world (excluding the United States and Canada) from 1450 to the present, including world history, military history, women's history, history of education, and more. Provides indexing of more than 1,700 academic historical journals in over 40 languages back to 1955.
Hidden Gem
Relevant Articles
These articles were all retrieved using a combination of simple keywords, such as "Timor-Leste," "East Timor," "língua portuguesa," and "Portuguese language."
- "As funções sociais da língua e as políticas de difusão do Português no Timor-Leste" byCall Number: Linguistics and Language Behavior AbstractsPublication Date: 2016The title of this article has been translated into English as "Social functions of language and dissemination policies of Portuguese in East Timor." The article has a big focus on the policies related to and the social implications of speaking Portuguese in the country.
- "'Mudam-se os tempos, mudam-se as vontades': Apontamentos para a história da política linguística de Timor-Leste" byCall Number: Library ResourcesPublication Date: 2016The title of this article has been translated into English as "'As times change, so does will': Notes for the history of language education policy in East Timor." This article discusses the linguistic policies when it comes to education in Timor-Leste, focusing on the period of 1999 to 2010.
- "A língua portuguesa em situação de tensão/interdição em Timor-Leste" byCall Number: Linguistics and Language Behavior AbstractsPublication Date: 2013The title of this article has been translated into English as "The Portuguese language in situations of tension/interdiction in East Timor." The article talks about the Portuguese language's position as an official language of Timor-Leste. It analyzes several speeches "given after Timorese independence in 2002, made by different people about Portuguese, the local languages, English and Indonesian."
- "Questões de língua, identidade e poder: hibridismos em Timor Leste" byCall Number: Linguistics and Language Behavior AbstractsPublication Date: 2011The title of this article has been translated into English as "Language, identity and power issues: hybridism in East Timor." The article discusses "the complex relation that exists between the notions of language, discourse, identity and power, considering the historical, political, social and linguistic situation in East Timor."
- "Notes on East Timor: Languages and Education" byCall Number: Library ResourcesPublication Date: 2008This article talks about the challenges of education in a country that has two official languages and two working languages.
- "Writing the Resistance: Literacy in East Timor 1975–1999" byCall Number: Taylor & Francis OnlinePublication Date: 2008This article focuses on the power of language and literacy, showing how they were used to resist the Indonesian occupation. For example, when Indonesia was in control, the administration shunned the use of the Portuguese language. As a result, Portuguese became one of the main languages of the resistance, which influenced its status as an official language once Timor-Leste became independent.