Archive for 'Culture'
o Alienista: free audiobook Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 22, 2007
o Alienista is a classic piece of Brazilian literature, written by Machado de Assis and published in 1882 as part of the Papéis Avulsos. The story is quite funny as Machado de Assis was adept at presenting social commentary through humor. Set in 18th century rural Brazil, the plot centers on an obsessive-compulsive doctor’s attempts…
Saudade Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 15, 2007
In every language there are words that are simply untranslatable. Saudade is one such word, and perhaps one of the best examples of this phenomenon. In any attempt to translate saudade into English, some or many of the following words will frequently appear: longing, hope, fatality, nostalgia, yearning, missing, fondness, endearment, loneliness, feeling, emotion Here’s…
Pegadinha – Elevator Prank Posted by Transparent Language on Jul 31, 2007
Pegadinha is the Portuguese word for ‘prank;’ it is quite commonly used in Brazil, thanks in large part to the prevalence of TV prank shows. Click here to watch a hilarious video where a public elevator is outfitted as a toilet, complete with an actor playing the role of an alarmed patron. A useful piece…
Brazil retains Copa America! Posted by Transparent Language on Jul 20, 2007
With their decisive upset of Argentina on Monday July 16th, the Brazilian soccer team won the Copa America for the 8th time, defending the title. Here’s an article in English and one in Português about the victory. Many have noted the absence of several top Brazilian superstars, including Ronaldinho himself. Perhaps this lack of firepower…
Brazilian Radio on the Internet Posted by Transparent Language on Jun 26, 2007
click on the image to hear the live broadcast! MPB, Música Popular Brasileira, is a sort of ‘super-genre’ of music that has it’s roots in the post-Bossa Nova era of the mid- to late-60’s. MPB encompasses many different styles of music, ranging from those with jazzy bossa-nova influences to rock and pop music very…