Language

The development of the library collection will be largely dependent on the donation of resource materials and on the language of those donations. A mix of Indonesian, English and Portuguese is being sought.

Approximately 90% of East Timorese speak Indonesian – 26% speak English and 17% speak Portuguese to some degree. Most speak Tetum or other regional East Timorese dialects.

Portuguese is the official language of East Timor. Tetum is the national language and is the preferred language of conversation and meetings. Indonesian and English are both working languages.

The present situation at UNTL

• Tetum and Indonesian are the primary and often only languages of the majority of tertiary and secondary students and most of the teaching staff. Tetum texts are almost non-existent
  
  
• there are inadequate numbers of texts in Indonesian
  
  
• a significant donation of new Portuguese books has been made by the Brazilian government. Other donated Portuguese resources were dedicated to a small Portuguese language library in the Education & Teacher Training Faculty
  
  
• English will be important at the tertiary education level - there are few university students able to speak Portuguese or English, though a growing number of students and staff are learning them
  
  
• the majority of resources coming in as donations are in English. Most software and the best published and online resource materials are available in English.