Cpl Michael Morgan with his East Timorese friends Photo by PO Kev Bristow, Digital Media

Languages the key for growth

By Cpl Belinda Mepham
TEACHING, interpreting and translating the muddle of multi languages that are spoken throughout the East Timorese population takes one keen expert.

Although East Timor’s official national language is Portuguese, very few people speak it on a daily basis preferring to use Tetun and Bahasa.

The English Language Program (ELP) is a key part of the 2 Bn Falintil-Force Defence Timor Leste (F-FDTL) – the new baby Defence Force that will begin to independently look after East Timor from June 2004.

Cpl Michael Morgan, GRes on FTS, has been in country for two years and has the ELP running through his veins.

“I arrived in East Timor initially interpreting for 5 MP Coy,” he said.

“I came to ATST-EM originally translating and interpreting here and then progressed to teaching ELP and writing the lessons for the courses.”

As a digger in 2RAR Cpl Morgan was told to go and do a language course, which has built him an enormous love for languages and stirred his natural ability to speak them.

Originally starting as an interpreter while deployed in Malaya, he can now speak Tetun, Vietnamese, Chinese, Lao and German among others.

The Army has employed his skills well in relation to East Timor, beginning in Australia at the School of Languages.

“I was brought into the East Timor department of the language school to help prepare some East Timorese for RMC so we taught them English and got them in some sort of shape to handle the course.

“Since the start of the ELP, we have trained guys before they left East Timor so they are not out in the cold trying to figure the course with no basic preparation of English.”

Cpl Morgan said the ELP produces some good young trainees to go through to courses in Australia.

“One trainee is at RMC, another chap went to America and is doing a legal officers’ course, another four students are currently in Australia doing advanced English and will slot into positions at RMC and teacher training.

“A group of nine just got back from the Northern Territory University after English language training.”

The hunt is on to find the future Chief of the F-FDTL and Cpl Morgan said it is very likely he may have already taught the young bright leader.

“There are a few up and coming young recruits who have shown potential and will be given the opportunities to build their career to that level if they wanted it.”

Cpl Morgan said the ELP is the primary vehicle for establishing a relationship with East Timor.

“This is most important. Without this they can’t progress, as these programs allow other training.

“We can teach them English and if they continue, their earning capacity rises considerably, especially the younger ones, who will speak Tetun and Bahasa – they put themselves in a very good position.”

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