Indonesia and Timor-Leste share a long and deeply intertwined history. Geographically, both countries share a direct land border on the island of Timor, which naturally connects their communities.
This border represents far more than just a political boundary. It is a vibrant space where people continue to interact through trade, culture, and a shared vocabulary.
Decades after Timor-Leste became an independent nation, the Indonesian language remains a dominant force in daily life, especially within these border regions. This linguistic phenomenon is not merely a remnant of the past but a practical tool for modern communication and economic survival.
Historical Ties Between the Two Nations
For over 26 years, from 1976 to 1999, Timor-Leste was part of Indonesia as its 27th province. During this era, Indonesian served as the primary language for education, government administration, and national media. This made Indonesian language a permanent fixture in their daily social lives.
However, the political landscape shifted drastically on August 30, 1999, when the people of Timor-Leste participated in a historic independence referendum organized by the United Nations (UN). The majority of its people voted to separate from Indonesia.
However, even though Timor-Leste has become an independent nation, deep-rooted family ties keep the Indonesian language alive. Many communities in the border areas of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and Timor-Leste share the same ethnic backgrounds and ancestors.
For families split by the national border, Indonesian often serves as the most effective way to maintain contact and preserve their cultural heritage. These kinship ties ensure that the language remains a natural choice for daily personal interaction.
Indonesian Language in Around the Border
According to a study in the journal Cogent Arts & Humanities by Budi A. Sudarmanto et al. (2023), Indonesian heavily dominates public spaces along the border. The researchers analyzed a total of 2,387 public signs, including business boards, advertisements, building names, and street signs. Out of these public displays, Indonesian was found on 2,314 signs.
The study identified a total of eight languages present in the public arena. English came in second with 763 signs. Moreover, languages native to Timor-Leste like Tetun appeared on only 2 signs, and Portuguese was found on just a single sign.
Local dialects such as Dawan and Kupang Malay also had small visibility, appearing on only 3 signs each. This data reveals that Indonesian is highly preferred for public signage because the local communities share strong cultural backgrounds, which reinforces the vitality of the language.
Furthermore, while Tetun and Portuguese are the official languages of Timor-Leste, the nation’s constitution still recognizes Indonesian as a "working language”.
Cross-Border Trade and Economic Necessity
Economic interaction is another powerful factor that prevents the language from fading. There is a noticeable difference in living standards and the availability of goods between the two sides of the border. Many residents from Timor-Leste frequently travel to Indonesian towns like Atambua and Kefamenanu to purchase daily necessities and access better facilities.
In these commercial hubs, Indonesian acts as a lingua franca. It allows everyone to conduct business efficiently. This fluency is so widespread that at major border crossing points such as Motaain, Wini, and Napan, immigration services and directions are easily provided in Indonesian.
