Brazil's Languages

Brazil's variety of languages

Introduction

The aim of this report is to explain the diversity of languages that can be learned in each part of Brazil, and to comment on the different ways of getting to know them and to show how Brazilians learn them.

The formation of Brazilian Portuguese and the variety

of languages that can be found in Brazil

The language known as Brazilian Portuguese has many influences, such as the Portuguese from Portugal, foreign explorers from Europe and other parts of America, African words and indigenous languages – like Tupi-Guarani, which were used before colonisation. Even so, many people find it strange that Brazilians and Lusitanos have trouble

communicating with each other clearly. The fact is that Brazil is a country of continental proportions, which explains the variety of languages, words, accents and meanings of the

same word inside the same country.

Also, it is important to say that knowing how to communicate in English inside Brazil is almost an obligation for the working environment and that some parts of Brazil are used to

speaking Spanish, because of the proximity to Spanish speaking countries. The result of years of colonisation can show some curiosities like some cities that are used to speaking German or Italian and which celebrate that culture.

Different parts of the territory have different cultures and languages. In the north of Brazil and in the country interior some indigenous languages can still be found, although most of the native population has been decreasing substantially since colonization started. Diseases brought by the explorers 500 years ago and timber companies nowadays are the main reasons for the disappearance of most of the original

tribes that lent the Portuguese so many words and, with that, the historical consciousness disappears as well. Still, the tribes try to preserve their traditions and their original language, most of them live isolated from other societies, unaware of immigrants and globalisation.

The south of Brazil has many European and also Latin-American influences, so it's easier to find people who speak Spanish, Castilian, German and Italian. That affects the local

culture directly and is mainly based on the country that colonised that particular city. A good example is Pomerode, a city in the state of Santa Catarina and it has buildings similar to the ones that you can find in Germany and has many street signs written in German, also 70 per cent of the citizens of Pomerode speak German as their second language.

The northeast is full of African influences, like Salvador, the first capital of Brazil in the times of colonisation. Salvador is the best example of a city influenced by African slaves that came to the country to work for the Portuguese crown, the city celebrates festivals and cultural aspects that were introduced by the slaves, such as Capoeira and the local dishes are typical of the culture of Candomblé and Umbanda, which are African religions. Obviously the local language was affected too, which explains the different words that were

incorporated to that specific vocabulary.

Languages that Brazilians learn for the working environment

The popularity of the English-language in business made this language become an obligation for people's CVs and that has made the learning of English in Brazil really popular. However, only those with enough money can study it, which explains why only 5 percent of Brazilians speak English. Right behind the need for English is the need for Spanish. This requirement is connected to Brazil’s commercial relations in South America. The number of language courses has increased a lot over the last few years. It is more usual

to find someone who speaks English, Spanish, French and German nowadays because of that. Most private schools teach English or Spanish to inspire the students to get in

touch with other cultures.

As a consequence, more people can be found doing overseas jobs and that can open doors to more equality in business for Brazilians. With that, more citizens have been trying to learn sign language, called Libras, so that more people can communicate and do good jobs for everybody. That has affected the social position of people with disabilities,

helping them to be more part of society. The indigenous languages are in danger of extinction and there are not many resources for Portuguese speakers to learn them, unless they study them at university. Still, it is hard to get in touch with the tribes as they are afraid of making contact with external threats, like people trying to take their lands.

In conclusion

To sum up, Brazil is a country with different cultures and it cannot be explained simply. The complexity of Brazil's languages has historical explanations and awareness of them

has been increasing through the years.