The necessity for Tetum as a prerequisite for effective working relationships between Timorese and technical advisors. If an advisor is to be effective, our own education must be addressed first. There are many reasons why external advisers fail to make a positive difference in Timor-Leste but failure to effectively communicate is the most obvious. This is most clearly an issue with short-term advisors. At least with longer-term assignments the issue can be addressed. But I am disappointed by how many English speakers, who have been here awhile, have a vocabulary limited to, “obrigadu mana”.
The New Zealand Aid Programme funded Ministry of Education Capacity Building Programme (MECBP) when it commenced in 2007 identified language as an essential issue to be addressed at the outset. To address the problem we employed Language Assistants to work with each adviser. Their role was most important in interpretation rather than in translation. We have employed an Senior Language Assistant for written translations in Tetum and Portuguese where formality is required.
The Ministry of Education Strategic Plan, as part of Priority Programme 13 ‘Donor Coordination’, also has started investigation of the role and effectiveness of technical advisors. Language ability will be almost certainly be a more highly weighted criteria for selection and contract renewal in future.
However, using a Language Assistant is not, in itself, a long-term solution. Our Programme has an expectation that advisers will learn Tetum and funding through the New Zealand Aid Programme for this to happen. The Dili Institute of Technology offers really good Basic, Intermediate and Advanced programmes. If you are a New Zealander (and I guess most of you wish you were) you have a slight advantage as the vowel sounds and grammatical structures are similar to Te Reo Maori.
Beginning to learn Tetum and the willingness to use it (and accept that you will frequently embarrass yourself by murdering the language ) has some fairly quick results. Most noticeably is the improved relationship with Timorese work colleagues. This is not because you are able to communicate. Basic Tetum is not sufficient for a technical discussion - higher level skills in Tetum are required for that. The improved relationship comes from demonstrating your personal commitment to Timor-Leste because you are taking the time and effort to learn the language. There is then a reciprocity in the relationship as they assist you in your language learning.
We have continued to employ Language Assistant because often Timorese speak so quickly (unlike New Zealanders) and use ways of expressing ideas or opinions that the naïve ear of the malae cannot easily pick up.
For me, the other benefit with learning Tetum is an increased sensitivity in the way I use English. It encourages me to speak more slowly when communicating with Timorese speakers of English. It also encourages avoidance of idiom. ‘Using the carrot rather than the stick’ is not interpretable unless you expect the interpreter to explain motivational techniques for donkeys. It also encourages the search for words and descriptions of concepts in English that are more easily translated into Tetum. Use of shorter sentences has also developed.
A note of warning – ability in Portuguese is not necessarily a substitute for Tetum. The actual level fluency in Portuguese in the civil service is unknown. It is less acceptable for Timorese civil servants, particularly in more senior positions, to admit to problems with understanding Portuguese than it is for English.
I have witnessed many situations where a presentation was made in Portuguese and quietly my Timorese colleagues admit to not understanding key points. This is partly due to limited vocabulary but just as much to the speed of delivery and the Portuguese accent. Often they state that Brazilian Portuguese is more easily understood than Portuguese Portuguese. A friend of mine reckons that Portuguese men are allocated only a certain number of vowels for their lifetime. If they use them up early they are forced to speak without using vowels.
However, I do take exception to English speakers who belittle the place of the Portuguese language in Timor-Leste. It is an official language and that fact should be respected. It as a Timorese decision and needs to be supported as part of our work. English is not a realistic alternative choice. It will probably decline in importance in Timor-Leste as the development industry departs.
I agree with Gordon’s suggestion that language acquisition and proficiency of technical advisors should be dealt with as a contractual issue.
Richard Hellyer
Team Leader
Ministry of Education
Capacity Building Programme
Timor Leste
Source: ETAN
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