Tetum-About

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Tetum

About Me and My Language

Orthography Morphology Story/Song Word List Syntax Language Use Dictionary

Ola, Esperanca de Deus Santos Lopes is my full name, but you can call me Eka.
I come from Timor-Leste (a small island that located between Indonesia and Australia).
In this page, I am presenting you Tetum language, which is the native language that is most spoken in Timor-Leste. It is essential to read this page if you are planning to visit Timor-Leste (someday, maybe). This page gives you some important basic language that you will use to meet and negotiate with local people.

The picture above is traditional house 'Uma Adat' in Atauro,Timor-Leste.
Picture:This house is normally use to keep the commodity of our great-grandparents.

I am interested in my language because it's my language.

Your name (first, last)
Esperanca de Deus, Santos Lopes

Contact Email lopeseka01@gmail.com
Preferred name(s) of your language Tetum

Alternative names Tetum Prasa

Language classification Austronesian Language
Geographical areas where spoken Dili, Timor Leste
Approximate number of monolingual speakers 400.000 - 450.000

Other languages spoken in the area/country Indonesian, Portuguese, Kemak, Bunak, Makasae, Fataluku, Mambae, etc

Official language(s) in your country Portuguese

Does your language have a widely accepted writing system?
Yes

If yes, what materials are written?
Newspaper, Books, Websites, etc

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Background of the Language

Tetum is a language that is mostly spoken in Timor-Leste. There are many words from Portuguese and Indonesian that have been borrowed into the Tetum language.

Source	Reported number of speakers	Vitality Assessment
www.ethnologue.com	400.000 - 450.000
www.unesco.org/culture/languages-atlas/en/atlasmap.com
www.endangeredlanguages.com
www.wikipedia.com
other source (Google search)	800.000

Your name (first, last)	Esperanca de Deus, Santos Lopes
Contact Email	lopeseka01@gmail.com
Preferred name(s) of your language	Tetum
Alternative names	Tetum Prasa
Language classification	Austronesian Language
Geographical areas where spoken	Dili, Timor Leste
Approximate number of monolingual speakers	400.000 - 450.000
Other languages spoken in the area/country	Indonesian, Portuguese, Kemak, Bunak, Makasae, Fataluku, Mambae, etc
Official language(s) in your country	Portuguese
Does your language have a widely accepted writing system?	Yes
If yes, what materials are written?	Newspaper, Books, Websites, etc
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