Portuguese Language Blog

Yesterday, British pop star Sting met with several indigenous leaders Caiapó tribe to discuss the Brazilian government’s plans to construct a massive hydroelectric plant in the state of Pará, which would affect the Caiapó’s lands.

Sting met the leaders twenty years ago on the Xingu reservation, which inspired him to create a non-profit, the Rainforest Foundation, which works to protect the environment as well as indigenous tribes in the Amazon. The NGO has donated funds to help the Caiapó tribe with education and protection from land invaders.

In the meantime, Sting met with the leaders to discuss the plans for the dam, to ensure that the indigenous tribes play a part in negotiations with the government. Environmental leaders are opposed to the project, which they say would be harmful to the Amazon, and the government has not yet acquired the necessary environmental permit to begin construction.

For some great photos of the meeting and more information, click here.

For all of you in New York and in the U.S. Northeast, be sure to check out the exhibit sponsored by the Sociedade da Língua Portuguesa da Organização das Nações Unidas (UNSRC), known in English as the UN Portuguese Language Society.

The UNSRC will host an exhibit featuring one hundred pieces by eight indigenous artists from the Amazon. The artists come from a variety of tribes, including the Tukano, Wanano and Kokoma tribes. Check out some of the pieces here.

The exhibition will take place from October 26 through November 6th at the UN, located at 2 United Nations Plaza in Manhattan.

Today, we’re going to watch a video about the Amazon and an indigenous tribe there, and the work the tribe’s chief has done to combat deforestation and to use technology to connect his tribe to the world and to protect the environment. Part of the video is in Portuguese with English subtitles, and the other part involves simultaneous translation, so you’ll have to pay attention to make sure you understand.

Here are some questions to answer to see how well you understood!

1. How do you say “in the past,” according to the video?

2. The chief mentions using an “arco e flecha.” What is this in English?

3. What is “wisdom” in Portuguese?

4. How do you say “tool” or “instrument” in Portuguese?

5. What is “floresta” in English?

6. How do you say “alliance” or “partnership” in Portuguese?

Note: questions go up until 13:00.