This article explores the role, functions and diffusion of Portuguese in (post-)colonial Angola and East Timor, drawing upon Lusitanization as a framework to apprehend the role Portugal played through the colonial period and Brazil in post-colonial societies. To replete this macro-inquiry, the article examines the bottom up effect of Lusitanization, using Bakhtinian views on social voices, pluri-diversity, plurilingualism and hybridization.