Studying Brazilian Portuguese
If you are an American and have ever traveled to Australia or New Zealand, then you understand that American English and Australian or New Zealander English can sometimes feel like completely different languages. Sure, you understood most of what you heard on your trip, but every once in a while you came across a phrase or word or pronunciation that you had no idea about the meaning of or misunderstood completely.
Brazilian Portuguese and European Portuguese have similar differences. If you are interested in learning Brazilian Portuguese, you need to understand that taking a Portuguese class may not be sufficient to truly learn and embrace the language as it is spoken in South America. When studying Brazilian Portuguese, you need to find an instructor or a course that specializes in this particular dialect if you wish to become a fluent conversational speaker.
The Portuguese settlers came to Brazil in the 16th century, bringing their language with them to the continent for the first time. Even though many people spoke Portuguese during these colonial times, it did not become the national language until nearly 200 years after the first settlers arrived. While the rest of South America embraced Spanish as its new language, Brazil was able to keep Portuguese as its native tongue.
However, English as well as Spanish-speaking countries surround Brazil, and these languages have had an impact on Portuguese over time, thus further contributing to the differences between the language spoken in Europe and the language spoken in Brazil. Also, the languages of the African slaves and the people who were native to South America when the Europeans first arrived had an influence.
In Brazil, the written Portuguese that is taught in the schools is actually quite similar grammatically to European Portuguese. Many school-age children are not studying Brazilian Portuguese, but rather are studying the European counterpart. However, when it comes to conversational Portuguese, there is a distinct difference between the two dialects.
As you are learning Brazilian Portuguese, you will want to find a course that will teach you both the written and the spoken variations. For example, you will need to be taught the Brazilian pronunciation and accent of certain words, even though they may be spelled the same in both dialects. If your goal is to achieve conversational proficiency in your new language, make sure the teacher is pronouncing the words as a Brazilian would. Also, you should be aware of the fact that there are some subtle spelling differences between the two dialects.
If you are ready to learn Brazilian Portuguese, you will need to choose an appropriate course or software program to help you. Be sure that you choose something that is taught by native Brazilian speakers so that you can benefit from hearing the proper pronunciations of words. Immersion in a new language is the best way to learn, so choose a program that will require you to listen to the language being spoken and respond in turn. Of course, learning some written grammar is also important when studying Brazilian Portuguese, so choose a training course that will provide a balance of written instruction and immersion training. Soon you will be speaking and writing Brazilian Portuguese with excellent skill and pronunciation!
About the Author
Jacob Lumbroso is a world traveler and an enthusiast for foreign languages, history, and foreign cultures. He writes articles on history and languages for and has used Pimsleur courses to learn various languages.
Introduction – Hebrew / Portuguese / Italiano
|
|
Fluenz Spanish 1+2+3 (Latin America) with supplemental Audio CDs and Podcasts $378.00 The only interactive language program offering an immersive environment that recreates the best elements of great one-on-one tutoring. A Great Teacher on Your Computer Discover Spanish through the power of a great teacher with the comprehensive 1+2+3 program. The Fluenz custom-made approach guides you in English every step of the way through the challenges of Spanish, while immersing you in the b… |
|
|
Rosetta Stone Portuguese (Brazil) Level 1 $179.00 Build a foundation of fundamental vocabulary and essential language structure. Begin to learn and speak with confidence. Master basic conversational skills, including greetings and introductions, simple questions and answers, shopping and much more. What Will I Learn This level will help you: Build vocabulary and language basics Spell and write accurately Speak without a script Retain wha… |
|
|
Rosetta Stone Portuguese (Brazil) Level 2 $179.00 Navigate your surroundings as you build on the vocabulary and essential language structure in Level 1. Learn to talk about your environment such as giving and getting directions, telling time, dining out, basic social interactions and much more. What Will I Learn This level will help you: Learn intermediate-level conversational skills Spell and write accurately Speak without a script Reta… |
|
|
Portable Portuguese for DVD, iPod, Mac & PC. Learn Portuguese Anywhere Anytime. $14.95 Portable Portuguese contains five learning tools including two DVDs, one CD, video and audio files for iPod or other MP4/MP3 players, SpeakMore Portuguese software, and a Portuguese phrasebook. MORE THAN 600 WORDS IN 30 DIFFERENT CATEGORIES With Portable Portuguese you will speak, read, write, and understand over 600 commonly used Portuguese words and phrases in 30 different categories such as … |
|
|
Learn Portuguese 101 DVD with SpeakMore (Brazilian Portuguese) Software $14.95 Start speaking Portuguese today with The Travel Linguist Portuguese 101 DVD and SpeakMore Portuguese software. * The Portuguese 101 DVD has 3 different levels that teach 101 basic Portuguese words and phrases. Each word is taught slowly and surely by native Portuguese speakers. * At first, each word is repeated slowly several times. As you gain confidence, you are given less time and prompts to sp… |
|
|
12 Language Global Digital Talking Translator Foreign Pocket-Sized Electronic Speaking Dictionary (LT12) – Bonus Pack of 2 $70.37 Where travel guides end, the LT12 begins! This talking translator is small enough to fit in your pocket, and contains 8,400 travel-related phrases in 12 different languages. Eight conversational categories allow you to find your desired phrase quickly, and the LT12 both speaks and displays the translated phrase. You also have the ability to save frequently used phrases. This pocket translator will… |
|
|
Nurian X70: Two Way English – Korean Electronic Dictionary Translator with Organizer $369.99 ? 236 Contents ? Pronouncing all Korean syllables and words in native-speaker voice (This feature is only available in X19 & X70) ? Built-in with two major press: Doosan’s Dong-A Korean-English & English-Korean Dictionary (This feature is only available in X19 & X70 ) and Minjung’s Essence Korean-English & English-Korean Dictionary ? Pebble keyboard ? Very slim and compact ? Text Editor & PDF Rea… |
|
|
Ectaco EPg900 Grand Portuguese & English Bidirectional Talking Electronic Translator Dictionary & PhraseBook with OCR C-Pen Scanner & GPS Navigation System $699.95 Large 3.5″ color LCD screen. 70,000 English explanations with the WordNet Princeton English Dictionary. Unique User’s Dictionary lets you create personalized word lists. Advanced Speech Recognition. True Voice human pronunciation for words and phrases. Pre-recorded words list provides access to spoken dictionary entries. Talking Picture Dictionary with pronunciation for all words. 56,000 entry Au… |
|
|
The Everything Learning Brazilian Portuguese Book: Speak, Write, and Understand Basic Portuguese in No Time (Everything (Language & Writing)) $11.93 “The Everything[registered] Learning Brazilian Portuguese Book with CD” makes Brazilian Portuguese easy to grasp. Author Fernanda L. Ferreira, Ph.D., provides readers with step-by-step instruction in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. Readers learn how to: understand Portuguese grammar; improve pronunciation; and, have basic conversations when travelling, dining out, conducting business, and … |
|
|
Oxford Picture Dictionary (Monolingual English) $11.50 Content is organized within 12 thematic units, including Everyday Language, People, Housing, Food and Recreation. Each unit starts with an Intro page (new to this edition) and ends with a story page, with single or double-page sub-topics introducing new words in a realistic visual context and easy-to-learn “chunks.”The target new vocabulary is listed and simple practice activities help students pu… |
