In this article, we aim to discuss the complex relation that exists between the notions of language, discourse, identity and power, considering the historical, political, social and linguistic situation in East Timor. For doing so, we explore the notions of language, discourse and identity from a perspective of hybridism that considers mixtures and variation as constitutive of a heterogeneous, plural e conflictive conception of language and subjects. The notion of power is seen as intrinsically related to the discursive and linguistic processes and to the dialogical relations that exist between languages, discourses and identities. The discussion presented here is based on Bakhtin's (and his Circle's) ideas.
language; discourse; identity; power; East Timor