What languages are spoken in Brazil? Brazilian Portuguese, of course! But did you know that there are actually many other languages spoken in Brazil?
In this blog post, we will take a look at the different languages spoken in Brazil and their origins.
What Languages Are Spoken In Brazil?
Brazilian Portuguese is the official language of Brazil. However, there are a number of other languages spoken in Brazil.
These languages are mostly spoken by immigrants or their descendants. There are also a number of indigenous languages that people speak in Brazil.
The Brazilian government recognizes these indigenous languages. And it provides support for their preservation and promotion.
In addition to the languages spoken in Brazil, there are also a number of dialects and pidgins.
These dialects are mostly common in specific regions of Brazil. However, you may also hear them in other parts of the country.
So, next time you’re talking to someone from Brazil, don’t wonder if you hear a mix of languages and dialects!
Let’s discuss the most commonly spoken languages In Brazil one by one!
1. Portuguese – Official Language Of Brazil:
Portuguese is the official and most widely spoken language in Brazil. According to the facts, around 190 million people speak Portuguese in Brazil.
Portuguese is a Romance language that originated in Portugal. It is also the sixth most spoken language in the world.
In Brazil, Portuguese has a unique dialect. It includes features from other languages, such as Tupi and Indigenous Brazilian languages. This dialect is Brazilian Portuguese.
Around 97% of the population speaks Brazilian Portuguese. It is also the language of instruction in schools and universities.
Brazilian Portuguese is a bit different from European Portuguese. It has undergone a number of changes, including:
– The use of informal pronouns
– The simplification of verb conjugations
– The use of slang words and expressions
These changes make Brazilian Portuguese more accessible to non-native speakers. However, it can still be challenging to learn.
2. German – Second Most Spoken Language In Brazil:
German is the second most spoken language in Brazil. About 1,500,000 (1.5 million) people speak German in Brazil.
German is a West Germanic language that originated in Germany. In Brazil, descendants of German immigrants speak the German language the most.
Most of the Germans who settled in Brazil came from the state of Baden-Württemberg. They settled in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul in the 19th century. There are some parts of Brazil where people speak German, such as:
– São Paulo
– Paraná
– Santa Catarina
– Rio de Janeiro
German is a mandatory subject in some schools in Brazil. Universities also offer it as a subject.
3. Spanish – One Of The Languages Spoken In Brazil:
There are a large number of Brazilian people who speak Spanish fluently. However, it is not one of the country’s official languages.
According to Ethnologue, there are approximately 220,000 Spanish speakers in Brazil. (As of 2013) That number represents 0.011% of the population.
The majority of Brazilian Spanish speakers live in Rio Grande do Sul. It is in the southernmost part of the country.
4. Italian – Is Italian Among The Languages Of Brazil?
Italian also exists in Brazil, although not as much as Spanish. Ethnologue reports that there are approximately 50,000 Italian speakers in the country.
Most of them live in the state of São Paulo, which is located in southeastern Brazil.
The Italian community in Brazil traces its origins back to the late 19th century. That’s when large numbers of Italians began migrating to the country in search of work.
Today, there are still a number of Italian-Brazilian cultural organizations in existence.
Foe example, the Brazilian Association of Italian Descendants (Associação Brasileira de Descendentes de Italianos).
And the Federation of Italian Organizations in Brazil (Federação das Organizações Italianas do Brasil).
5. Japanese – One Of The Minority Languages Spoken In Brazil:
Yes! There is a large population of Japanese Brazilians, many of whom live in the state of Paraná.
According to Ethnologue, there are approximately 380,000 Japanese speakers in Brazil as of 2013.
In addition to Paraná, there are also sizable Japanese communities in the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The city of Sao Paulo is home to the largest Japanese community outside of Japan.
The first Japanese immigrants arrived in Brazil in 1908. Today, there are over one million people of Japanese descent living in the country.
Spanish and Italian are both the languages of Brazil. And Japanese is also a language that you’ll hear if you travel to this South American country.
6. Indigenous Languages:
In addition to the above mentioned languages, there are also indigenous languages. There are more than 200 indigenous languages associated to Brazil.
But there are approximately 87 indigenous languages currently spoken in the country. (According to Ethnologue). Some of the most common ones are:
– Tupi
– Guarani
– Nheengatu
– Yanomami
The most populous indigenous language is Guaraní. Around 200,000 people speak this language.
Munduruku and Tupi also have a sizable number of speakers. They have 17,000 and 15,000 speakers respectively.
The Brazilian government recognizes these indigenous languages. And it provides support for their preservation and promotion.
There are also a number of endangered indigenous languages in Brazil. These include Aweti (which has only two remaining speakers), Ikpeng (seven speakers), and Kaiwá (200 speakers).
7. Other Dialects And Pidgins Of Brazil:
There are also a number of pidgins and creoles spoken in Brazil. Pidgins are simplified versions of a language.
They develop when speakers of different languages need to communicate with each other. Creoles, on the other hand, are pidgins that have become a speaker’s first language.
According to Ethnologue, there are approximately eight pidgins and creoles spoken in Brazil. These include Faipa (which has around 200,000 speakers). Gavião-Kanoê (40,000 speakers), and Jopara (20,000 speakers).
8. Is English Spoken In Brazil?
English is not a popular language in Brazil. However, this does not mean that it is impossible to find someone who speaks English.
According to a survey of British Council:
Only 5% of the Brazilian population could communicate in English as of 2019. This number includes both native and non-native speakers of the language.
In addition, Brazil had its worst score in five years on an English proficiency exam in 2019. This is likely due to a number of factors. They include a lack of challenging materials and expensive private courses.
However, the internet and social media help make English more accessible in the future.
Differences between European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese
Although both European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese are official languages in Brazil. But there are a number of differences between them. These include differences in pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary.
One notable difference is that Brazilian Portuguese uses a lot of Indigenous words. While European Portuguese does not.
For example, the word for “hammock” in Brazilian Portuguese is “rede”, which comes from the Tupi word “iréte”.
There are also a number of differences in grammar. For example, Brazilian Portuguese uses the pronoun “você” for formal and informal situations. While European Portuguese uses different pronouns for each.
Finally, there are a number of differences in pronunciation. For example, the letter “h” is silent in Brazilian Portuguese. While European Portuguese pronounces it.
Despite these differences, both European and Brazilian Portuguese speakers can understand each other.
However, there may be some misunderstandings due to different vocabulary and grammar.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the most spoken languages in Brazil are Portuguese, German, and Italian. However, there are many other languages spoken throughout the country.
These include Spanish, Japanese, and a variety of indigenous languages. With such a diverse population, it is no wonder that so many different languages are spoken in Brazil!
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