Archive for the year 2008
Cadê? Posted by Transparent Language on Jul 15, 2008
Cadê is probably one of those most useful and most entertaining words to learn in Portuguese, because of its straightforward usage and easy pronunciation. It means “where is…” followed by the object. This can be an actual object or a person. This is a Brazilian expression that emerged from a language evolution from “o que…
International Rock Day Dog Parade Posted by Transparent Language on Jul 14, 2008
Sunday was the International Day of Rock Music, and to commemorate the occasion Cariocas (people from Rio), dressed their dogs up like rock stars, including Cyndi Lauper, Elvis, and Kiss. The rock star dog parade was a competition for best canine costume, and the event attracted dozens of dogs and their owners. Click here to…
The transbêbado service Posted by Transparent Language on Jul 13, 2008
In June, a new law went into effect in Brazil to try to prevent drunk driving, which is a serious problem throughout the country. The law prohibits all levels of alcohol consumption for drivers, with penalties of nearly R$1000 fines and drivers’ license suspensions. This means that a single glass of wine or a bottle…
Brazil Film Festival in New York Posted by Transparent Language on Jul 11, 2008
Premiere Brazil, a joint project between the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival, will sponsor an event at MoMA starting on Thursday, July 17th. The film series, which runs until July 28th, features ten new Brazilian feature films and documentaries, several of which will have their American…
The History of Havaianas Posted by Transparent Language on Jul 10, 2008
Havaianas, the Brazilian flip flop brand popular worldwide, has an interesting history, so let’s take a look. In 1962, the São Paulo Alpargatas company began to produce a sandal based on the design of the Japanese flip flop, called the zori. However, instead of using straw to make them, they used rubber, which made a…
Wild Animal Trafficking in Minas Gerais Posted by Transparent Language on Jul 9, 2008
In the land of the Amazon, the Pantanal, the Mata Atlântica and other vast areas of wildlife, animal trafficking is a serious problem. Minas Gerais, in the south central region of Brazil, is a state with a particularly number of wild animals forced into capitivity. This year alone, seven thousand wild animals in captivity have been recovered…
Less Inequality in Brazil, Experts Say Posted by Transparent Language on Jul 8, 2008
For the past few decades, Brazil has been one of the most unequal countries in the hemisphere and the world, due to the accumulation of wealth in the hands of a few. But experts say this trend is changing. According to IPEA, o Instituto de Pesquica Econômica Aplicada (the Institute of Applied Economic Research), Brazil’s…