There is something soothing about spoken Portuguese. While some languages can be jarringly guttural, Portuguese — and especially the Brazilian variation — favors soft sounds, such as “sh” and “ch.”
Even familiar English words are given softer consonants when dropped into Brazilian conversations. Batman becomes “Batchman.” Titanic is “Chi-chan-eekee.” And the U.S. rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers is memorably known throughout Brazil as “Hedgey Hodgey Shilly Peppers.”
In the roster of global languages, Portuguese tends to be neglected by travelers. And yet, it is the seventh most widely spoken language in the world and is officially used not just in Portugal and Brazil, but also in some African countries (notably Angola and Mozambique), as well as Macau and East Timor.
Brazilians tend to be appreciative of any visitor who takes the trouble to learn a few words of Portuguese, and that can be an incentive to study the language more seriously. Just be prepared for the funny looks you’ll get back home when using your best Brazilian pronunciation on the name of a certain U.S. rock band.
Sonia Celegatti Althoff, a fully qualified and certified language teacher, offers an online guide to speaking Brazilian Portuguese.
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