Tá Falado: Brazilian Portuguese Pronunciation for Speakers of Spanish

Oh man, where did this word come from? After a whole series of lessons in pronunciation and grammar ... and now we learn a whole bunch of words where Spanish and Portuguese are totally different. If Tá Falado is supposed to show learners the similarities between these two languages, well, this lesson just won't do that. Today Michelle and Valdo give as words like embora, ainda, rapaz, jeito, cedo, and tomara. It is true that Spanish and Portuguese are similar in many ways. However, today we look at the words that are not similar at all.es pero en el Brasil no hay aire condicionado en los autobuses. Hay que abrir las ventanas para ventilar. Valdo: Por otro lado, existe un calor humano. Las personas pueden hasta descansar unas encima de las otras porque a veces los autobuses anda muy llenos. Lo ves, ¿para qué mejorar? English Michelle: Man, did you see that guy in the wheel chair getting into the bus early this morning? Valdo: I did see him. I think it's interesting the way that Americans take care of people who have special needs, changing the streets and the busses. Michelle: I know, here the seats close up and the doors of the bus can be lowered to accommodate the people. Valdo: Although Brazil doesn't have busses that have such adaptations, nobody complains because the public transportation system is so good. Michelle: Right, but don't go too far with these stories because maybe you have forgotten that the buses in Brazil don't have air conditioning, you've got to open the window to get some air. Valdo: On the other hand, you've got human warmth. People even end up lying on top of one another because the buses en up so full sometimes. You see, what is there to improve?

One of life's great mysteries is if a Brazilian marries someone from Venezuela, how do you figure out what their official name will be? We ought to be politicians because we spend the whole lesson talking about last names, middle names, and given names, but we never actually answer the question! In this lesson Michelle talks about what it has been like to explain her daughter's full name. Americans get a little confused. As to the grammar, we discuss the difference between phrases like 'have you been eating lately' and 'have you ever eaten before.'ave you been noticing anything different lately as related to pregnancy and having children here in the United States? Michelle: Lately I've been noticing that the issue of names has been very different from in Brazil. Valdo: Have you ever had any problems with this? Michelle: Yes I have. Lately I've had some problems in explaining to people here that my daughter has two last names. Valdo: Yes, you need to get used to that, because here people have used the a system where they have a second name and a last name instead of two last names. Michelle: That is exactly what confuses me here. In all the places I've gone during these last few months, people don't understand why my daughter doesn't have a second name.

So how weird would it be to be a Brazilian in the United States and see for the first time a bicycle attached to the front of a city bus? Sure enough, that would never happen on a bus in Brazil. These are the kinds of observations that North Americans would never make because, well, we think it's normal. It's all a matter of perspective. This lesson talks about those kind of cultural differences, and we do so while going over a lesson about word order. (We know the title doesn't sound all that exciting, but it really is an interesting grammar topic -- if you are into language learning.) are people who put their bicycles in front of the buses. Valdo: Yes, here in the United State we have specific places in front of the buses to carry bicycles. Michelle: Yes and it give people a reason to carry their bicycles in front of the bus so that they can sit down. Valdo: That's true. Unexpected things always happen when riding a bicycle, for example: rain, hot sun, ladders. Michelle: In fact, some unexpected thing always comes up that makes you prefer the comfort of the air-conditioned bus. Valdo: Gee, that's what we're missing in Brazil to make our public transportation system the best.

Spanish speakers who are used to saying tampoco will now have to learn how to say também não in Portuguese. It just sounds cute somehow. Culturally, Michelle and Valdo talk about all the things that are offered online in the United States, much more than in Brazil. In this lesson we also mention the sensitive subject of toll roads in Austin, Texas. We are still getting used to the idea, so forgive us if we're a little touchy about it. It may be common in other places, but we still don't like it, even if you can make payments online! What a coincidence, I renewed my books too. It's a good thing that here you can do that online. Valdo: It's true! Here in the United States people also use the Internet to pay bills, buy things, order movies, make gift lists ... Michelle: But unfortunately I couldn't register for next semester's classes because the system wasn't working. Valdo: How interesting, I couldn't do it either. When I tried things weren't working either. Michelle: Yea, I couldn't pay the toll either, we'll see if I can do it tonight.

In this lesson, Michelle claims that most people give women one kiss on the cheek when greeting and when saying goodbye. Valdo thinks that it is more common to give two kisses, one on each cheek. And there are even places where a third kiss is given. How difficult can it get? As to grammar, years ago Orlando was once caught saying, in Spanish, María quiere me ayudar. To his surprise he found out that Spanish speakers are not supposed to put the indirect pronoun 'me' between the verbs. So, for you who are learning Portuguese, you get to learn the opposite: in Portuguese the pronoun goes between the auxiliary and main verb. There is no problem in saying, Maria quer me ajudar. región en el Brasil hay hasta tres. Verás que cuando los americanos vienen a saludarnos, nosotros siempre esperamos algo más informal. Valdo: Ni lo esperes! Aquí en los Estados Unidos las personas son mucho más formales que en el Brasil, muchas veces ni siquiera te tocan y luego ya están diciendo: perdona, con permiso, por favor, siento mucho ... English Michelle: When someone wants to introduce us to another person here in the United States, how is that done? Valdo: Here, even if the people want to give you a kiss, that's not the custom. The most they will do is to hold out their hand to you. Michelle: You're right, in Brazil people are more informal. Everyone is kissing and hugging each other right away. Valdo: Yea, and it's kind of funny sometimes because they come to give me a kiss and I'm used to getting two. Michelle: That's true. And depending on the region in Brasil you can even have three. So you see that when Americans greet us, we're always expecting something more informal. Valdo: Don't wait for that! Here in the United States people are much more formal than in Brazil, many times they barely even touch you and they are already saying: sorry, excuse me, please, I'm sorry ...

No kidding, Orlando was in Mexico City one time and saw a man in Chapultepec Park who was selling helados esquisitos. Why would anyone want to buy 'weird' ice cream? Turns out, in Spanish esquisito means exquisite, and Mexicans actually like to have their helado esquisito! It's a positive thing. In Portuguese, esquisito means strange or weird. OK, that's what we mean by false cognates. Although many words between Spanish and Portuguese are similar, there are others that trick you because the meaning isn't what you expect.helle: Can you believe that I put my nickname on the computer instead of my first and last name? Valdo: Wow, and you were still pregnant! Weren't you embarrassed about driving for your test with that big stomach? Michelle: Of course not! I even attended the university while pregnant.

OK, so you are driving down the freeway and you see a semi going 70 mph and there is a mobile home being pulled along. Well, yes, I do see why that would seem rather shocking to a Brazilian. Thanks go to Valdo and Michelle for making that observation. Grammar-wise, we are also going to talk about dropping direct object pronouns. Better to drop pronouns than mobile homes from semis!

To be clear, we are referring to gender agreement. Get ready: although gender is 95% the same between Spanish and Portuguese, there are a few words that change. Is it o leite or a leite? O sal or a sal? O origem or a origem? Valdo and Michelle clarify things for us. Culturally, at what age can you buy alcohol in Brazil?

Not only are Brazilians thought of as being very friendly, now they even want to personalize their infinitive verbs! Valdo and Michelle lead the way in showing us how to do the same. Culturally, we talk about the price of education in the United States. And take a peek at this picture! Orlando's really into the Texas Pride. Hook 'em Horns!

Just look at that barriga! Clearly the polite thing to do, at least in Brazil, would be to have a special line at banks, post offices, and supermarkets for those that have 'special' needs. However, the other day, in this condition, with that barriga, Michelle had to wait in line at the U.S. post office just like one of the 'regular' people. Grammatically, Orlando seems to love topic-comment patterns almost too much. Is it possible that grammar is really that interesting?

'Não, não sei não.' This is the pattern for Brazilians, to say 'no' three times in the sentence. It's not that Valdo and Michelle are negative people, but they sure get their point across. And speaking of their point of view, if YOU invite them to a party, YOU should really pay the tab!

Who would have ever guessed that Valdo and Michelle think that jeans and flip flops make a strange combination? Looks like we've just seen one more thing that makes Americans stand out. Note that this picture has got three Brazilians trying to dress like North Americans! Oh yes, and grammar-wise, we're talking about possessive pronouns. You might say, OUR comments to YOUR lesson.

So why is the plural of alemão alemães, but he plural of nação is nações? And why would the plural of mão be mãos? You know what, Valdo and Michelle have some hints to clear it all up. What's amazing is that they can talk about that and still have time to talk about car insurance in Brazil.

For all of you who learned how to speak Spanish, we all relive the nightmare experience of learning direct and indirect object pronouns. Lo is direct, le is indirect. When you use both put the indirect first; but you can't say le lo, so change le to se and then say se lo, as in se lo di 'I gave it to him' ... Bad memories for sure, but the good news is that none of that happens in Portuguese. In fact, Brazilians hardly ever use indirect objects. Instead they just say para ele 'to him', para ela 'to her', para eles 'to them'. That's what Orlando, Valdo, Michelle, and Jose Luís talk about in this lesson, which is just para vocês!o drink. Valdo: Waiter, bring us two beers please. And no water! Michelle: Valdo, ask him to bring a heart of palm salad too. Valdo: Wow! The waiter keeps on giving them water, look at that. They are going to get drunk on so much water. Michelle: It's impressive here ... as soon as you arrive the first thing they do is bring you a glass full of ice water.

In this lesson Orlando dreams about being able to use the verb 'ficar' when he is talking in Spanish. Ah, if they just had that verb in Spanish, it would make things a lot easier. Of course, for you Spanish speakers, you now have a chance to add 'ficar' to your Portuguese. Whether it means to become, to be, to stay, to remain, to keep on, or any of the other meanings, you are sure to love this fantastic verb. And whoever said that verbs weren't fun? One caution, however, don't study your verbs in a café, at least not in Brazil. Michelle and Valdo have a hard time getting used to the idea of studying in a café.people coming in and out. Michelle: Besides that, you end up poorer because in order to stay there you have to keep drinking something. Valdo: And you've also got to wait in line just to buy something. Michelle: Yea, sometimes I feel a little reticent to study in cafes precisely because of that.

Here's a trick question for Spanish speakers: Would it be better in Portuguese to say the equivalent of 'Siéntate' or 'Siéntese'? Answer: Don't worry about the reflexive pronouns. Chances are that Brazilians won't use them either. In this lesson Valdo and Michelle help the rest of us to get a sense of the disappearing reflexive pronouns in Portuguese. Michelle also adds how cool she thinks the use of coupons is here in Texas as well.

When you go, you will buy a soda. If you buy a soda, you will get refills. As soon as you get refills, you will sit down with friends to talk. Those who sit and talk with friends, will have a great time. Yes, all of those sentences require the 'future subjunctive' in Portuguese. So, if you listen to Orlando, Valdo, Michelle, and José Luís, you will also learn how to use the future subjunctive. Don't be intimidated, Spanish speaking friends, it's easier than you think!

The plural of Brazil, if there were two of them, would be 'Brasis.' Now that would be a strange word! Spanish speakers aren't sure how to make those words that end in 'l' plural. Orlando, Valdo, Michelle, and José Luís try to tell us that it is as easy as drop the 'l' and add 'is,' but we're sure there is more to it than that. While they are talking about plurals, Valdo and Michelle also tell us about their experience in getting used to self serve gas stations in the U.S. too!

Can you believe how many contractions Portuguese has? : nesse, num, do, naquele, aos, pelo, etc. The list goes on and on. When speakers of Spanish catch on to these contractions, sentences become instantly easier to understand. And that, of course, is what Orlando, Michelle, Valdo, and Jose Luís hope to do with today's lesson on contractions. At the same time, culturally, Valdo and Michelle found it hard to find their change that automatically fell out of a machine at the supermarket. Sure enough, that would be a new experience for visitors from Brazil.

We've made a switch. Welcome back to all who have previously listened to Tá Falado. Up to this point, we've always done pronunciation lessons. Today we introduce something new, our first grammar lesson! From here on out we'll look at some of those items that make Spanish speakers shake their heads and say, 'I thought Portuguese and Spanish were more similar than this.' In lesson one, Orlando, Valdo, Michelle, and Jose Luís talk us through the verb 'to like.' We, in fact, hope that you like the lesson too. Culturally, Valdo and Michelle confess that they have never understood why North Americans like to sit on the grass.on't like ants either. Where do you like to study? Valdo: I really like to study in the comfort of my home or in the library.