Speaking Brazilian Podcast: History of Brazilian Portuguese

Host: Virginia Langhammer
Episode Date: July 19, 2023

Episode Overview

In this episode, Virginia Langhammer explores the rich and complex history of the Portuguese language, focusing on its evolution from its Latin roots to its unique form in Brazil today. She discusses historical milestones, language influences, and the development of Brazilian Portuguese as a distinct and dynamic language, used by millions both in Brazil and around the world.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Origins of the Portuguese Language

• Roman Influence and Vulgar Latin

  • The roots of Portuguese date back to the third century BC with the Roman colonization of the Iberian Peninsula.
    • "A história da língua portuguesa remonta ao século III antes de Cristo, quando a Península Ibérica foi colonizada pelos humanos. A língua falada pelos tropas humanas era o latim vulgar, uma variação coloquial do latim clássico." (00:36)
  • Over centuries, Vulgar Latin mingled with local languages and evolved.

• Emergence of Galician-Portuguese

  • Regional dialects formed, with Galician-Portuguese eventually splitting into modern Galician and Portuguese.

Expansion and Official Status

• Portuguese spread globally as an official language after the Age of Exploration, currently spoken as the primary language in countries such as:
  • Portugal, Brazil, Angola, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, São Tomé and Príncipe (Africa), and regions in Asia and the Caribbean.
  • "O português é a língua oficial em nove países em quatro continentes..." (01:20)

Portuguese in Brazil: Indigenous Influences

• Arrival of Portuguese Colonists

  • When Portuguese arrived in Brazil, the region was inhabited by diverse Indigenous nations, each with its own language.
    • "Antes da chegada dos portugueses, o território brasileiro era habitado por muitas nações indígenas..." (02:00)

• Creation of Língua Geral

  • Portuguese Jesuits developed Língua Geral, a lingua franca built on Tupi, to facilitate communication and conversion of native populations.
  • A northern variant, Nheengatu, survives in the Amazon region today.

• Indigenous Contributions to Brazilian Portuguese

  • Though Língua Geral and many Indigenous languages fell out of common use, many words persisted in Brazilian Portuguese, especially for place names and local flora and fauna.
    • "Muitas palavras de origem indígena foram incorporadas ao português brasileiro, usadas no dia a dia..." (03:10)
    • Examples: guaraná, capivara, cuia, cacau, tapioca, açaí, mandioca.

African Influences: Bantu Languages

• Portuguese in Brazil was also shaped by African languages, primarily from the Bantu family (Kikongo, Kimbundu, Umbundu), introduced via the transatlantic slave trade.
  • "Também foi fundamental a presença das línguas do grupo banto, como quicongo, quimbundo e umbundo..." (03:50)
• This influence is heard in the music, intonation, and vocabulary:
  • Terms such as samba, capoeira, berimbau, fofoca, bagunça, muqueca.

Evolution and Regional Diversity

• Brazilian Portuguese diverged from European Portuguese, developing its own musicality, rhythm, and syntax.
  • "O português falado no Brasil foi se diferenciando... abrangendo vários dialetos locais." (04:30)
• The language today encompasses numerous regional dialects.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Global Spread:
  "O português é a língua oficial em nove países em quatro continentes..." (01:20)
  Virginia emphasizes the expansive reach of Portuguese globally.

• Indigenous Influence Example:
  "Muitas palavras de origem indígena foram incorporadas ao português brasileiro, usadas no dia a dia... como guaraná, capivara, cuia, cacau, tapioca, açaí, mandioca." (03:10)
  A vivid explanation of indigenous linguistic legacy.

• On African Influence:
  "Também foi fundamental a presença das línguas do grupo banto... trazendo uma nova musicalidade e estrutura sintática." (03:50)
  Highlights the depth of Bantu contributions to Brazilian Portuguese's unique character.

Important Segments (with Timestamps)

• 00:36 – 01:20:
  The origins of Portuguese from Vulgar Latin and Roman colonization.
• 01:20 – 02:00:
  Portuguese as a global language and its status across continents.
• 02:00 – 02:50:
  Linguistic diversity in pre-colonial Brazil and the role of Indigenous languages.
• 02:50 – 03:40:
  Língua Geral and the incorporation of Indigenous words in modern Portuguese.
• 03:40 – 04:30:
  The Bantu and African influence on music, culture, and vocabulary.
• 04:30 – End:
  The evolution of Brazilian Portuguese’s regional dialects and how the language stands apart today.

Conclusion

This episode showcases how Brazilian Portuguese is a vibrant, living language enriched by centuries of contact with Indigenous, African, and European peoples. Virginia Langhammer’s clear explanations and concrete examples provide valuable historical and linguistic context for anyone interested in the roots and evolution of Brazil’s language.