DILI, 29 september 2023 (TATOLI) – The National University of Timor Loro Sa’e (UNTL) and Portuguese Language Center (CLJ, acronym in Portuguese) conduct the pedagogical journeys of the Portuguese’s existence in Timor-Leste.
“This pedagogical journey is an event to remind us of the existence of the Portuguese language in Timor-Leste, its influence on the social and political life of the Timorese, its contribution to national liberation, as well as the development of the language in the future as an instrument of knowledge for students,” Ujeius da Silva made this statement on the sidelines of the 8th edition of the Pedagogical Journeys, promoted by CLP of the UNTL.
This edition, under the theme The Portuguese Language as an Instrument of Access to Knowledge, has three fundamental objectives: to publicize monograph works carried out by final year students; to present communications or posters within the defined axes; and to share initiatives and projects carried out or ongoing in the field of Portuguese.
For Ujeius da Silva Soares, the historical presence of the Portuguese language contributed significantly to Timor-Leste in the difficult situation of the struggle for the liberation of the homeland carried out by Timorese heroes.
The 3rd year student from the Portuguese Language Department considered the language an instrument for acquiring scientific knowledge as well as a communication tool for interaction with the people of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP).
The 23-year-old admitted that one of the challenges of learning the language is the lack of “reading as well as the desire to learn”, in addition to “not being used to communicating in Portuguese with colleagues or family”, since the majority speak the Tetum language.
The vice-rector for Academic Affairs and Quality Assurance at the UNTL, Samuel Freitas, stated in his speech that there are many things in this world that can be left and forgotten, but the only thing that Timorese cannot forget is the Portuguese language, since this language has existed for centuries and is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people of that country.
Freitas highlighted that Portuguese is enshrined in the Constitution as the national language and teaching language, but recognized that there are several challenges that contribute to the consolidation of the language in the country.
For Freitas, some of the challenges are “polyglotism and multilingualism and the lack of a sense of belonging because, in everyday life, the Timorese do not use Portuguese as a communication tool”.
Present at the event were the ambassador of Portugal, Manuela Bairos; the ambassador of Brazil, Maurício de Assis; the Minister of Education, Dulce de Jesus; as well as the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Culture, José Honório; and UNTL lecturers, including the students of UNTL.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
