What is the difference between Brazilian and European Portuguese? Brazilian Portuguese is Portuguese as spoken in Brazil and European Portuguese, also called Continental Portuguese, is Portuguese as spoken in Portugal and also in Macau, Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé & Príncipe, Cape Verde and East Timor. Brazil is far away from Portugal and the Portuguese spoken in Brazil developed differently due to influence from indigenous and African languages. Both languages are Portuguese, but they differ a bit in pronunciation, intonation, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, etc... In spite of the differences, you should have no big problems communicating with Brazilian or Portuguese people no matter whether you speak Brazilian or European Portuguese. To understand better, just compare British, Australian, Canadian, New Zealander English with American English; French spoken in France and Canadian French; German spoken in Germany and German spoken in Austria or in Switzerland; Spanish spoken in Latin America and Spanish spoken in Spain. In spite of the differences, they are the same languages. If you are more exposed to American English, you tend to like it more than British English because you are more used to it. To like or understand one or the other better is more a matter of taste and habit. Tips: If you are going to Brazil, it is preferable to learn Brazilian Portuguese and if you are going to Portugal, it is preferable to learn European Portuguese. Click on Brazil/Portugal and find a list of many words that are different in Brazilian and European Portuguese. For those who are interested in both Brazilian and European Portuguese, there is a very good and fun dictionary on the differences between Brazilian and European Portuguese. The dictionary was written in Portuguese by a well known Brazilian writer and journalist who lived in Portugal for two years and made notes of all the differences he came across while living in Portugal.
Posted on: Fri, 28 Jun 2013 06:15:50 +0000