Fataluku language


Fataluku is a non-Austronesian language spoken by approximately 37,000 people of Fataluku ethnicity in the eastern areas of East Timor, especially around Lospalos. It is a member of the Timor-Alor-Pantar language family, which includes languages spoken both in East Timor and nearby regions of Indonesia. Fataluku's closest relative is Oirata, spoken on Kisar island, in the Moluccas of Indonesia. Fataluku is given the status of a national language under the constitution. Speakers of Fataluku normally have a command of Tetum and/or Indonesian.

Phonology

Vowels

Consonants

The letter 'c' and the letter combination 'tx' are pronounced as 'ch'.

Rau ana kapare? / e nicha rau rau / maice ana umpe? "how are you?"
Rau "good"
Kapare "not good"
Hó "yes"
Xaparau "thank you"
Tali even xaparau "thank you very much"
nitawane "you're welcome"
Favoruni "please"
itu nae tini "excuse me"
Ó lai'i "hello"
mua toto, ia toto,purupale " take care"
Kois ta niat ali fanuhene "see you later"
Pronoun Possessive pronoun 
I : Aniri/Ana My: Ahani 
You : Eri, Iri Your: Eheni, Eheniere 
We : Iniri, Afiri Our: Inihini, Afihini: 
They : Tawari, Márafuri Their: Their Tavarhini, Marafurhini
He/She : Tavai, marí, mármocoi His/Her: Tavahini, Marmokoihini
It : Iví Its: Ivihini, Tavahini