Archive for 'Learning'
Present Progressive Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 28, 2007
The Present Progressive or Continual Present tense is very useful and easy to form in Portuguese. This tense represent ongoing action in the present; its counterpart in English is the construction [subject] is [verb] – ing for example: I am running To form this tense in Portuguese, all you need to do is employ the…
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…
The Verb ‘Dar’ Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 20, 2007
The use of the verb Dar to give with the alternate meaning to be possible is ubiquitous in Brazil. Using dar in this manner is different from using poder; dar indicates possibility and likelihood of an occurrence in an impersonal way. Poder serves to specify literal ability: he can complete the task, it is believable…
Top Ten reasons to learn Portuguese Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 16, 2007
Top Ten Reasons to Learn Portuguese 1. Brazil is an alluring, exotic country with a rich past and amazing people 2. North and South America will become an economic bloc in this century 3. Music: understanding the poetry of Portuguese lyrics 4. Travel. Most people don’t speak English in Brazil 5. Brazil is and always…
Diminutives Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 13, 2007
Terms of endearment are a national pastime in Brazil. You can’t bottle cuteness, but the Brazilian Portuguese language has the next best option. The diminutive form in Portuguese has nearly cornered the global market for endearing nicknames (apelidos) in addition to being a common useful way of describing the tiny form of common nouns. As…
Here and There: Aqui, Ali and Lá Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 8, 2007
English is easy, right? We have two prepositions, here and there for describing relative location to the speaker. Portuguese isn’t so tough itself, but in this instance the language is both more involved and more specific. Brazilians use four different prepositions for a similar purpose. Aqui, means here, just as it does in Spanish. To…
Vir and Ir, Coming and Going Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 8, 2007
It is very important in Portuguese not to confuse the verbs Vir to come and Ir to go. It is incorrect to say “Vou aqui de novo a semana que vem”, you would need to be sure to say “Veio…” By the same token, be careful not to translate in your head phrases such as…