16 March 2010

Portuguese language stifles development in Timor-Leste

PD MP calls for consideration General Ruak's Concerns Radio Timor-Leste, March 13, 2010 language source: tetun MP Adriano do Nascimento from the Democratic Party (PD) has called on Parliamentarians to consider the concerns of the Timorese Defence Force (F-FDTL) Commander, Major General Taur Matan Ruak, saying that the translator in the court has not made a proper translation and it had implicated the accused.

Mr. Nacimento stressed that the court should use a language that could be understood by all people, because Portuguese language that was used so far in the trial process had not been understood by the people.

Mr. Nascimento said that Portuguese language had had a negative impact on the country’s development process.

“Portuguese language which is used so far has become a main obstacle for the development process in the country,” Mr. Nascimento said.

Meanwhile, Domingos Sarmento, from Fretilin, has said that it is possible for the court to use the Timorese official language or another language in the trial process, but he said that the most important thing is that the court should better capacitate the translators so that they can translate well in the future.

“It is important for the court to capacitate the translators, so that they can translate well during the trial process,” Mr. Sarmento said.

Mr. Sarmento also called for the lawyers to ask the panel for clarification of any document that they do not understand.

No comments: