Malae Barak ona mak Koalia Lian Tetun

By Joao M. Saldanha

Maluk Internasional sira,

Tetum prasa ne'e fasil hela, Hau hare ita bot sira Malae barak mak koalia ona Tetum. Balu koalia diak liu tan ami Timor oan tanba aprende koalia ho estrutura formal lian nia. Imi balu sai tradutor Portuguese - Tetum ho Tetum - Portugues, balu Ingles - Tetum ho Tetum - Ingles kapas los. Balu koalia tan Mambae ho Makasae. Sei ajuda barak bainhira imi servisu iha Timor. Mas los, la os obriga imi mas husu imi nia atensaun.

I think it helps a lot when you speak local language anywhere in the world. For capacity building purposes with counterparts, my reading is faster to do it in Tetum because the whole body of Public Administration, Local NGO, or local organizations most people do not speak English and Portuguese. That is why one of the initiatives to bridge the gap in capacity building of international adviser with national staffs is through national adviser. 

The international adviser suppose to know a lot technical issues in his or her area, the national adviser must know the basics in his or her area but speaks Tetum and has no plans for being funsionariu publiku. That way the national adviser helps transition the technical issues from the international to national staffs. And vice versa, the national adviser helps national staff asking questions to international adviser on technical issues. The national adviser can speak to international in English but speak to national in Tetum. This helps to absorb the expertise and leave trace in TL. The ideal world is direct between both sides (international adviser to national staff). But the second best is through the above model. 

Ministry of Finance that I know is using this strategy over the last  1 to 2 years. It is quite helpful. Funds could be a problem but hey, if you do not leave something behind to your national counterpart after advising four to five year, something must be wrong. Often language is one of the explanations. Not to mention those who maybe intentionally perpetuate their presence. After four to five year engagement, the international adviser still advise the same basic thing then something must be wrong between both, the adviser and the national staff. This cannot happen.... The longer you advise, the more complex issue you cover overtime other things being equal.

Sorce: Etan