Archive by Author
Brazilian Profile: Jorge Amado Posted by Transparent Language on May 21, 2008
Jorge Amado is one of Brazil’s most famous and beloved novelists. Born in 1912 on a cocoa plantation in the state of Bahia, he grew up in the coastal town of Ilhéus, where he set many of his novels. He went to high school in Salvador and begin his career in writing. He published his…
Tudo vai dar certo Posted by Transparent Language on May 20, 2008
The best way to use the English expressions, “Everything will be fine,” or “Everything will work out” in Portuguese is to use the expression dar certo. For example: Eu estou muito estressada com tudo isto. All of this is really stressing me out.Não se preocupe, tudo vai dar certo. Don’t worry, everything will work out…
Brazilian Becomes Guinness Recorder Holder Posted by Transparent Language on May 20, 2008
Forty-three year-old Brazilian Elaine Davidson, who lives in Scotland, has made it into the Guinness Book of World Records for the most body piercings: 5,920 in total. She also won the world record in 2000 when she only had 462 piercings, including 192 on her face alone. Elaine is a nurse, and does not drink…
Portuguese Parliament Adopts Brazilian Spelling Posted by Transparent Language on May 18, 2008
On Friday, the Portuguese Parliament passed a law that adopts the Brazilian form of ortografia (spelling) of hundreds of words. The move is a small part of a movement to unify the Portuguese language in the eight countries where Portuguese is spoken. But the move is not exactly popular in Portugal. Over 33,000 people signed…
BBC Special: Amazon Day Posted by Transparent Language on May 15, 2008
The BBC did a special today on the Amazon. Here are some of the highlights: An excellent graphics page, showing rates of deforestation A comprehensive “Amazon by Country” section A full-length feature article by Fergus Nicoll called “Seeking an Amazon Solution” A question and answer section about the current and future situation of the Amazon…
“No Smoking” Law Finally Arrives in Rio Posted by Transparent Language on May 14, 2008
After smoking was banned in bars, restaurants, and clubs in major U.S., European, and some Latin American cities, the city government of Rio de Janeiro has finally caught on. The law, which goes into effect this month, prohibits smoking in enclosed spaces, both private and public. This means not only bars, clubs, and restaurants, but…
Brazilian Profile: Dona Lily Posted by Transparent Language on May 13, 2008
Lily Marinho de Carvalho, known as Dona Lily, is actually a naturalized Brazilian, meaning she wasn’t born in Brazil. Born in Germany, her father was British and her mother was French. She grew up in Paris, where she went on to become “Miss Paris” as a teenager. But when she was just 18, Lily…