Learning another language has many benefits, but why have I chosen Portuguese? Read on to find out!
First, some facts about Portuguese:
- Portuguese is spoken in several countries, as well as Portugal, including Brazil, Cap Verde, Angola, Mozambique, and the Azores. I think whichever country you visit it is polite to be able to speak at least a few phrases of the local language.
- Only 5% of native Portuguese speakers live in Portugal. In Brazil 98% of the population speak Portuguese.
- Portuguese is the sixth most spoken language in the world.
- Macau, situated on the south coast of China, is another place where Portuguese is spoken. This is because the port, a trading post, was directly under Portuguese rule, from 1557 – 1999. Nowadays, only about 2.3% of Macau residents can speak Portuguese. Yet, it remains an official language, alongside Chinese. I was amazed to discover this!
- Portuguese was recognised as an official language in 1290.
- As a Romance language, Portuguese evolved from Latin but other languages have influenced its development. These included Galician and Arabic. Quite a mix!
- In 2019, UNESCO proclaimed 5th May an annual “World Portuguese Language Day”, to celebrate the Portuguese language and culture.
To answer the question in the heading, I’m learning Portuguese, not only because I love languages, but also because I know it’s good for brain health. Learning a new language can boost memory and problem-solving skills. Above all, although it may be challenging, I think it’s fun!
However, the main incentive to learn Portuguese is that my eldest son is engaged to a Brazilian and the wedding will take place in Portugal next year. I want to be able to speak to those relatives of my son’s fiancée who don’t speak English. This is a fantastic motivation! Wish me luck…
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What a splendid idea and how lovely to have the wedding to look forward to next year. Did they meet at university?
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It will be a very exciting year. They didn’t meet at uni but they did meet eight years ago. They were both living in Reading and had second jobs working in a cocktail bar! Thanks for your comment, Marion. Did you make it to the Bournemouth Air Show this year? My friend who lived in Westbourne, for over twenty-five years, has downsized to a fifteenth floor flat. He had the most amazing view of the AS from the block’s roof garden.
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We were in Bournemouth recently but left just before the air show began as we were travelling to Finland. Flew with KLM from Southampton for the first time and it’s a lovely little airport with hardly any walking needed. Has your friend moved to the Albany? Can’t think of other blocks with so many floors? Our block has 10 including the penthouse. Such a shame that so many shops have closed down in the centre.
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I’ve travelled from Southampton airport but not recently. I remember it being a very pleasant experience. I look forward to reading about your trip to Finland. I get the impression it’s one of your favourite places to visit. My friend hasn’t moved to the Albany. In fact, he’s currently renting, while he decides what he wants to do next. It’s quite central, I believe. Bournemouth town centre has definitely changed in the forty odd years I have been visiting, like so many other towns.
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I wish you the best in your language learning, or “boa sorte” (I had to look that one up!) 😀
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Thank you or obrigada! I’m impressed that you looked it up 😂 How is your Arabic learning progressing?
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You’re welcome. I lost my Arabic streak on Duolingo when I went on vacation, but I’m slowly getting back into it again. Thanks for asking! 😊 Have fun with your Portuguese lessons!
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I’m sure you’ll regain your Arabic streak soon, sometimes life gets in the way of our best efforts 😉
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This is so good – “However, the main incentive to learn Portuguese is that my eldest son is engaged to a Brazilian and the wedding will take place in Portugal next year. I want to be able to speak to those relatives of my son’s fiancée who don’t speak English.”
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It’s the best incentive! Thanks for taking the time to comment, it is greatly appreciated!
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Good luck learning the language and congratulations on your sons upcoming wedding.
Thanks for linking with #pocolo
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Thank you – I think I need good luck to get to grips with Portuguese pronunciation! I’m very excited about my son’s forthcoming wedding and I always enjoy #pocolo
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Ah what lovely motivation, and hope it all goes well. Look forward to hearing more – thanks for sharing with #PoCoLo
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Thank you – it’s great motivation! Always enjoy #PoCoLo
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I’ve always loved languages so I’m all for learning new ones. I’ve toyed with the idea of Portuguese as a friend with whom I’ve travelled to Portugal a few times is currently learning the language in Brighton, but I’m struggling on with my Italian so perhaps another Romance language wouldn’t be a good idea! Asit is I keep getting my Italian mixed up with my Spanish.
Enjoy the wedding and I hope you are semi-fluent by then.
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I’ve been a language lover for as long as I can remember with my first love being French. I can get by in Spanish and did Latin at school, l but I think you’re right about taking on another Romance language. I find my knowledge of language helps with my understanding of Portuguese but not with pronunciation. I can’t see myself being semi-fluent by next year, but if I can get by I’d be very happy! Thanks for your comment, Mari.
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Like you, I did Latin in school which I wish the powers-that-be would re-start as I think it gives one a tremendous advantage when it comes to learning other languages. I usually have a go at a new one if it’s needed for holiday, and I think I did quite well with Russian some years ago (but my brain was younger then)! I return to German every so often for visits to Austria, Belgium and Switzerland and I can get by in that, but no more. I’d hate to have to rely on it. I never took to French but I manage to cope in hotels and restaurants!
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I’m impressed that you speak Russian and German. When my sons were small I used to encourage/force them to learn some basic/polite phrases in the language of the country we were visiting. This resulted in free ice creams, sweets etc. on occasions. The power of language!
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No, I wouldn’t say I speak Russian and German. My Russian was only for the two holidays I took there and mainly to impress the natives (this was in the Soviet days). Now all I can say is ‘Goodbye’ and ‘Cheers’. German I’m useless at until I’m actually there when I can make myself understood but stare stupidly when they reply!
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Understood!
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💕
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😊
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Wow, that’s real motivation! I bet you can’t wait.
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Now that we’re in 2024, the forthcoming wedding seems more real! I’m very motivated to learn Portuguese but I think using an app won’t be sufficient and I’m going to have to search for a Portuguese class or teacher near me. Thanks for your comment!
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I have to admit, I haven’t found it easy. I used to be good at languages but the ageing brain is struggling. It will be wonderful, with or without 🤗🩷
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I know what you mean! I was a teacher of French and l have always liked to think I’m reasonably good at language learning. However, I’m definitely struggling with Portuguese pronunciation, and all the evidence tells us that the younger you are when learning a new language, the better. Never mind, I’ll press on!
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I am just guessing here but maybe one of the reasons you will start learning Portuguese is because your ancestry?
Well, please don’t get me wrong, I totally support you in this challenge but as a native Portuguese speaker (I am Brazilian) I can tell you: you won’t be using it a lot. In Brazil we use to say that Portuguese is one of the most useless languages in the world.
During job interviews, when the recruiter sees “Portuguese” in the resume, the first thing they ask is: “But you can understand Spanish, right”?
On the other hand, Portuguese is dying in Brazil. Thanks to the deterioration of public education, most of the people no longer speak (and write) a proper Portuguese. It is very sad, last time I visited the country I was appalled.
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Thank you for your thought provoking and interesting comment. My son is marrying a Brazilian this summer and I would like to be able to say something to her relatives that don’t speak English!
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I am sorry, I got a little confused when I posted my comment, your article was reposted by a guy who has Portuguese ancestors, and I thought I was “talking” to him.
You actually have a pretty good reason to start learning the language; we might be able to exchange some words in Portuguese.
Eu te desejo boa sorted em sua empreitada.
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I understand your confusion, especially as my last name is of Portuguese descent. My father was Anglo-Indian and there are, as I’m sure you know, areas of India that were originally Portuguese.
Obrigada for your good wishes!
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How is that going for you? I can’t imagine how hard it would be to learn Portuguese if I had to. Being a native speaker, I am glad I don’t have to!
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It’s going okay, at least the reading and grammar are but don’t mention the pronunciation! You have a definite advantage as a native speaker!! Thanks for taking the time to comment.
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