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Finnegan: The Language of TimTim
Recently I have read some where that Xanana Gusmao said that after
independence, TimTim will probably use Portuguese as
its national language. My advice to Xanana is "don't" and think again
carefully why you would use Portuguese as the national
language and what are the benefits.
Let's look at he options:
First, Indonesian. I don't think this is a real option. If it is the
case, then why bother getting the Independence. No particular
political, economic, social and cultural reasons for using Indonesian.
One reason going for it may be in the last 23 years, two
generations have been educated in Indonesian. The other one is you speak
the same language as your big next door neighbour.
Second, Portuguese. There may be many reasons for it, as Xanana had. No
doubt many centuries of Portuguese ruled meant
that there are many legal, political, cultural, and social reasons for
using Portuguese. I am sure the oncoming elites are well
versed in Portuguese. But economic reasons? None. In fact it would be a
backward step. Portuguese is not exactly an
international language. How many do you know speak Portuguese?
Third, English. I would recommend this option for TimTim. It needs all
the breaks it can get in order to survive. I see many
advantages for TimTim to use English as its national language. These
are:
English is already the world language
It would be a huge economic and business benefits being an English
speaking nation
It would provide a much better foundation for the future political
and educational system, especially the education system
Cultural? well, the English speaking culture (American, Anglo,
Canadian, Australian) already rule the world anyway, so
why worry.
Another big neighbour is also next door, Australia. As every
knows, Australia is English speaking.
New Zealand and Papua/New Guinea are also English speaking. In
fact, many of the South pacific nations are english
speaking. These are the nations that would provide the most help to
TimTim in the near future.
How many do you know speak English?
So Xanana, think again. Think for the future of TimTim. Really, there
is only one choice.
Regards - Chai Finnegan
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Didistribusikan tgl. 24 Mar 1999 jam 10:32:20 GMT+1
oleh: Indonesia Daily News Online <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
http://www.Indo-News.com/
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