Learning Portuguese

As I posted before, I came to Brazil expecting to be able to get by with my basic knowledge of Spanish in order to communicate with the locals.  I’ve found that, although Spanish is more similar to Portuguese than English, which helps me drastically in learning the language by already knowing the phrasing, structure and tense organization, the words and pronunciations of letters are much different than Spanish or English. 

Some words are pronounced similarly but spelled differently.  English=Heart.  Spanish=Corazon.  Portuguese=Coracao.  Both Spanish and Portuguese are pronounced core-ah-zone.  English=team. Spanish=.  Portugese=Time.  Portuguese pronunciation is Chee-may.  Some words are totally different in every way.  (En)Joke=(Sp)chiste=(Po)piada. 

Pronunciations of many letters and groups of letters are much different and difficult for my American accent to handle.  Here are my pathetic attempts at describing Brazilian phonetics

• Ao, or oao - Ao is pronounced almost like a very fast wow. I was told to try to use my nose while saying ao.
• J - almost exclusively sounded like a soft, but slightly raspy G.  Joao is pronounced zgoh-wow, but very fast. 
• D – sounded dj.  Piada(joke) is pronounced pia-dja
• R – This is the toughest one.  No sound in the English language is used.  R’s are pronounced more like a grindy, hard H.  Recife is pronounced more like hhay-schee-fay.  Again, my pathetic attempt at Portuguese
• T – More like ch.  Time – team is pronounced Chee-may.    

When I realized how drastic the difference between the languages on Wednesday evening at the FIFA Fan Fest, I was a little afraid or nervous that I would have a difficult time communicating.  What I quickly found out was two things:  1:  All Brazilians with whom I have communicated are not only very patient with my severely limited Portuguese, they are also very happy that I’m trying(I’m trying=eu esto tantando).   Some people, like me, are trying to learn English.  We speak some sentences in very simple English, where I have to attempt to explain in Portuguese.  We will then have a very simple conversation in Portuguese, where they will have to try to explain in English when I don’t understand a word or phrase.  Our friend Joao was a very good translator, but whenever possible I’m trying to communicate without his help. 

I’m getting very good at some phrases. 

• Thank you = obrigato.  Brazilians pronounce it “bree-gat” for short
• I don’t speak Portuguese = Eu nao falo Portugese
• I don’t understand = Eu nao entendo
• Speak slower= fala mais devagar
• How do you say/pronounce/spell= Comose diz/pronuncia/escreve
• Good morning/day/afternoon/night = boa manana/dia/tarde/noite

I’ve arrived at Iolanda’s house in Araracara(sp??).  More to come on this later, but everyone speaks English in her family.  Honestly, I’m a little disappointed I won’t be pushed to continue practicing.

Below is a picture of Me, Bennett, Joao and his Mother.  It was very fun speaking Portuguese with her.  She could speak one word of English.  "Hello".  The sweetest woman imaginable.