National Language Standardisation Project

Timor Leste

The National Language Standardisation Project (NLSP) has been working at integrating Timor Leste’s national language, Tetum - which has traditionally been an oral language - into the school curriculum. A previous pilot project produced 23 books in Tetum; taught orthography to approximately 200 teachers, writers, translators and members of the media; and contributed to the formal government approval of the Tetum language policy. With the new government currently developing the national school curricula, the NLSP is aiming to produce teaching materials in Tetum and educate instructors in the proper use of orthography and grammar.

An increase in written and verbal knowledge in Tetum will increase its status as a national language and increase national pride and unity. It is hoped it will also decrease national language divisions and regional conflicts by increasing communication.