New East Timor phrasebook released by Lonely Planet
16/08/01
Media Release
Lonely Planet
Contact: Briony Jane Grogan
Phone: (03) 8379 8000
Fax: (03) 8379 8111
E-mail: brionyg@lonelyplanet.com.au
As the second anniversary of the vote for independence approaches, Lonely Planet launches the first edition of its East Timor Phrasebook. Join the celebrations - or selebrasaun - as the world's newest nation embraces its new found freedom.
As any visitor will soon discover, East Timor is a land of many different languages and dialects. More widely used and understood than any other is Tetun, the first language of 20% of the people and the second language of most. You'll be understood and what's more, you'll get an enthusiastic response when you speak Tetun.
Being the official language of East Timor, Portuguese cannot be overlooked. A chapter of the book is therefore dedicated to key phrases in Portuguese. For those going off the beaten track, three indigenous languages - Fataluku, Makasae and Kemak - are also covered.
With and enticing food chapter including information on native cuisine, plus a comprehensive health section, Lonely Planet's new phrasebook to this complex land goes beyond the fundamentals, with advice on etiquette and essential cultural information.
About the Authors
John Hejak
John is the head of the Department of
French and Italian Studies at the University of Melbourne. Educated in
Australia, Italy and the UK, he began working on the languages of East
Timor in 1993. A trained linguist, he was surprised to discover how little
information was available and began working with members of the East Timor
community in Melbourne, and has travelled extensively in East Timor.
Alexander Vital Tilman
Alexander was born in the mountains of
East Timor in 1976. His father was arrested by the Indonesian military
in 1979 and never seen again. Alexander eventually made his way, together
with his mother and sister, to Portugal in 1990 and then to Australia in
1992. Educated at the University of Melbourne (BSc), and the Victoria University
of Technology (BA Hons), he is currently working in East Timor for the
Special Crimes Investigation Unit (ETTA/UNTAET). Alexander is a fluent
speaker of Tetun, Portuguese, English, Indonesian and Italian.
Including a forward by Xanana Gusmao
Xanana Gusmao, East Timorese leader, the
former president of the Timorese National Council (CNRT) of Resistance
since 1974, when he became a member of the Social Democratic Association
of East Timor, which later became FRETILIN. At 32, he became the leader
of FALINTIL, East Timor's military resistance and later helped to establish
the CNRT aimed at uniting all East Timorese and achieving independence.
Eventually arrested and imprisoned, Gusmao was released in 1999. His name
has become synonymous with east Timor's struggle for independence.
John Hejak and Alexander Vital Tilman will
be available for interview until 8 September 2001. Contact Briony Jane
Grogan
Phone: (03) 8379 8000
Fax: (03) 8379 8111
E-mail: brionyg@lonelyplanet.com.au
"East Timor Phrasebook"
by John Hejak & Alexander Vital Tilman
ISBN: 174059 020 1
1st Edition
AUS$ 11.00
US$ 7.99
AVAILABLE - August 2001