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Parabéns! Posted by Transparent Language on Sep 17, 2008
Yesterday, one of Brazil’s most famous singers, Caetano Veloso, celebrated a special day: his mom, Dona Canô, turned 101. A mass was held in her honor in her town of Santo Amaro, Bahia, and her eight children, nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren helped celebrate. In honor of Dona Canô’s birthday, we’re going to learn the…
Portuguese Plurals: Part I Posted by Transparent Language on Sep 16, 2008
Plural nouns in Portuguese can be a little confusing, so we’re going to take a look at them in a three part series. Today, we’re going to look at the set of regular nouns, which are the easiest to deal with. 1. Words ending in vowelsJust add an “s.” janela –> janelas [window -> windows]cotovelo…
Just imagine the smell Posted by Transparent Language on Sep 15, 2008
Globo reported that a truck full of cebolas (onions) had an accident on a major highway in Joinville, Santa Catarina on Sunday, when it flipped over and spilled its contents all over the road. Right after the onion truck accident, a truck carrying candy slipped on the onions and also flipped over. Both drivers were…
Biology & Environmental News Posted by Transparent Language on Sep 14, 2008
Let’s take a look at headlines in biology, science, and environmental news in Brazil this week: Bat Festival in the Amazon, from Globo (Portuguese) Lost Towns Discovered in Amazon, from BBC Penguins Get VIP Treatment in Recovery, from Globo (Portuguese) The Real Ice Age of the Amazon Rainforest, from Times Online Brazil Welcomes Foreign Money…
Brazilian Profile: Cazuza Posted by Transparent Language on Sep 12, 2008
Born Agenor de Miranda Araújo Neto, this singer is one of Brazil’s most beloved, and was known as Cazuza, and also as O Poeta (the poet). He was the son of an upper class Carioca family, and grew up during the 60s and 70s. He joined a rock band called Barão Vermelho, and sang and…
Origins of Portuguese Expressions Posted by Transparent Language on Sep 11, 2008
Today we’re going to look at a few Portuguese expressions and their origins in the state of Minas Gerais. 1. Lavar à égua This expressions means “to do well,” “to have success,” or to “enjoy oneself.” It originated in Minas Gerais during the gold boom, when horses and donkeys were used to haul the gold…
Brazilian Cooking Series: Part I Posted by Transparent Language on Sep 10, 2008
In this new series, we’re going to look at a Brazilian dish, its origins, and how to prepare it, so that you can get a taste of Brazil as you study Brazilian Portuguese. Today, we’re going to look at the most famous Brazilian dish, feijoada. This dish, a bean and meat stew, has its…