Archive for March, 2009
Brazilian Portuguese Slang: Good Times Posted by Rachel on Mar 20, 2009
Today we’re going to learn slang phrases to talk about having a good time. 1. bombar This means something is successful, in the sense that it is fun or great. A festa vai bombar! The party is going to be awesome! O filme bombou no Brasil. The movie was a hit in Brazil. 2. show…
The Amazon’s Bioluminescent Mushrooms Posted by Rachel on Mar 19, 2009
Brazilian biologist Ricardo Braga-Neto was driving on the highway from Manaus to Porto Velho when he noticed something glowing in the forest. When he stopped his car to inspect the source of the light, he discovered that it was a mushroom. Although there are 64 known species of bioluminescent mushrooms in the world, and the…
Brazilian Economic News Posted by Rachel on Mar 18, 2009
Let’s take a look at what’s going on with the Brazilian economy, one of the most resilient in the world against the global economic crisis. The One Country that Might Avoid the Recession is…, Time Petrobras talks oil, biodiesel with Sao Tome & Principe, Energy Current Once solid, Brazil’s big food companies now wobbling, CNN…
NGO Focus: Afro Reggae Posted by Rachel on Mar 17, 2009
Today we’re going to look at one of Rio de Janeiro’s most successful non-profit organizations. Afro Reggae started as a newspaper in the Vigario Geral favela in Rio, discussing Afro-Brazilian culture and music, like reggae and hip hop. The movement itself was inspired by a police massacre in the favela that left a group of…
Portuguese Video Learning Series: Capoeira Posted by Rachel on Mar 16, 2009
Today on the video learning series, we’re going to take a look at a type of Brazilian dance/martial art form called capoeira, which originated during the colonial period from the African slaves. This documentary originally aired on ESPN Brasil and discusses the development of the dance form, the music and instruments used to accompany the…
Brazil in the News Posted by Rachel on Mar 13, 2009
Let’s take a look at Brazil in the headlines today. Environment: Brazil’s Concrete Jungle, IPS News Brazil: employment rate sees biggest employment drop since 2001, Macau Hub Exxon Brazil find may hold 8 billion barrels of oil, Bloomberg Brazil retail sales rise in January after three month drop, Forbes Ronaldo not ready for Brazil return…
Brazilian Etiquette: Table Manners Posted by Rachel on Mar 12, 2009
When learning a language, it’s just as important to learn about the culture so that you can apply your language skills in a respectful way. In this new series, we’re going to look at etiquette in Brazil to learn about basic customs. Today, we’re going to learn about table manners. Do not talk with food…