Timothy Detudamo
Encyclopedia
Timothy Detudamo was a Nauru
an politician and linguist. He was the father of Buraro Detudamo. He is known as the founder of modern Nauruan society.
.
In 1917 Detudamo travelled with Philip Delaporte
, whom he had assisted in creating a Nauruan
dictionary, to the United States
to assist him in translating religious scripts to Nauruan. To finance the travel, Detudamo needed USD
500 (a lot of money at the time) which he raised by way of donations. He stayed in the U.S. until 1921.
Around 1940 he tried to reform the Nauruan language by making it more understandable for Europeans and Americans. However, his reforms were not widely adopted and today the old orthography continues to be more common. Despite this, he is considered the most important Nauruan linguist
. He spoke five languages: Nauruan, German
, English
, Marshallese
and Gilbertese.
Until June 30, 1943, Detudamo was Governor
of Nauru, when in World War II
he was deported to Truk by Japanese invaders, along with most of the Nauruan population. On January 31, 1946, he became again head chief of Nauru, until the Nauruan executive was professionalized and modernized on December 18, 1951. Following the reforms, Detudamo was the head of Nauru's government until he died in April 1953.
Nauru
Nauru , officially the Republic of Nauru and formerly known as Pleasant Island, is an island country in Micronesia in the South Pacific. Its nearest neighbour is Banaba Island in Kiribati, to the east. Nauru is the world's smallest republic, covering just...
an politician and linguist. He was the father of Buraro Detudamo. He is known as the founder of modern Nauruan society.
Religious and linguistic activities
In his younger years he was a pastorPastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
.
In 1917 Detudamo travelled with Philip Delaporte
Philip Delaporte
Reverend Philip Adam Delaporte was a German born American Protestant missionary who translated numerous texts from German into Nauruan. Delaporte was sent to Nauru with his family in November 1899, and returned to America in 1917.-Missionary:...
, whom he had assisted in creating a Nauruan
Nauruan language
The Nauruan language is an Austronesian language spoken in Nauru. It is estimated that it has 7,000 speakers. Almost all speakers are bilingual in English....
dictionary, to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to assist him in translating religious scripts to Nauruan. To finance the travel, Detudamo needed USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
500 (a lot of money at the time) which he raised by way of donations. He stayed in the U.S. until 1921.
Around 1940 he tried to reform the Nauruan language by making it more understandable for Europeans and Americans. However, his reforms were not widely adopted and today the old orthography continues to be more common. Despite this, he is considered the most important Nauruan linguist
Linguistics
Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. Linguistics can be broadly broken into three categories or subfields of study: language form, language meaning, and language in context....
. He spoke five languages: Nauruan, German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
, English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, Marshallese
Marshallese language
The Marshallese language is a Malayo-Polynesian language of the Marshall Islands, and the principal language of the country...
and Gilbertese.
Political role
In 1921 Detudamo returned to Nauru from the U.S. and became politically active. In 1928 Detudamo was elected head chief of Nauru. He held office until 1942.Until June 30, 1943, Detudamo was Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
of Nauru, when in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
he was deported to Truk by Japanese invaders, along with most of the Nauruan population. On January 31, 1946, he became again head chief of Nauru, until the Nauruan executive was professionalized and modernized on December 18, 1951. Following the reforms, Detudamo was the head of Nauru's government until he died in April 1953.