My Portuguese Linguistic Biography

Embarking on a linguistic adventure is akin to setting foot on a new continent, a land filled with the melodies of unfamiliar words and the promise of uncharted territories. As a language enthusiast, I have always been captivated by the power of language to shape our understanding of the world.

( Other Linguistic biographies: French | Lithuanian | Korean )

My encounters with the Portuguese language have been particularly enchanting, each step of the way revealing new facets of its linguistic richness. From humble beginnings in a university classroom to immersive experiences in Portuguese-speaking countries, my journey with Portuguese has been a testament to the transformative power of language learning.

The story

• From University Walls to Porto, Portugal

It was in 2014, during my final semester at university, that I found myself enrolled in basic Portuguese classes. Having already learned French, Italian, and Spanish, I saw an opportunity to expand my language repertoire by taking yet another romance language. I remember particularly well that pronouncing the distinctive sounds of /l/ and /s/ proved to be particularly difficult, leaving my jaw stiff after each class. Learning yet another language rekindled more unfamiliar sounds that I have grown deaf to over the years as I only get accustomed to sounds necessary in my native tongue (Filipino and English).

Little did I know that this decision would open up a whole new world of connections and discoveries. As fate would have it, my first authentic encounter with Portuguese occurred during a solo trip to the enchanting city of Porto in 2016. I recall practicing telling the hotel receptionist “A televisão não funciona” (the TV is not working) and feeling a wave of pride having communicated one of my needs in the local language. Getting around the hilly, cobblestone streets echoed the soft cadence of Portuguese conversations, drawing me deeper into the heart of the language.

• Livraria Portuguesa, Macau

According to this UNESCO document : “The Portuguese language is taught officially and unofficially in many countries across the world. Portuguese is the official language of nine States – Angola, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, Sao Tome and Principe and Timor-Leste.” This also includes Macau, where it is also an official language of this Special Administrative Region of China. Additionally, Portuguese is “one of the most widespread languages in the world, with more than 265 million speakers” and is “the most widely spoken language in the Southern Hemisphere”.

Three years later, in 2018, while on a family trip to Hong Kong, I stumbled upon a treasure trove of Portuguese textbooks in Livraria Portuguesa. Intrigued by the prospect of delving further into the language, I eagerly purchased textbooks ranging from A1 to B1 levels. These books became my faithful companions, guiding me through the intricacies of Portuguese grammar and vocabulary.

This was my culminating output at the end of the A1-level Portuguese language summer course in 2020.

• A Pandemic Opportunity: Universidade de Porto

As the world grappled with the challenges of the pandemic in 2020, a glimmer of opportunity emerged. A colleague presented me with an opportunity to apply for an online summer language scholarship (Curso de Verão de Português Língua Estrangeira) to learn Portuguese through the esteemed Instituto Camões. I enrolled in Universidade de Porto and embarked on a month-long journey to relive and enhance my Portuguese skills. The virtual classroom connected me with fellow language enthusiasts, fostering a sense of community despite the physical distance.

• Unexpected Turns in Lisbon

Buoyed by my experience in Porto, I sought to further refine my Portuguese proficiency. In September 2020, after completing another language scholarship in Lithuanian, I self-financed an intensive 60-hour course at the Faculdade de Letras da Universidade de Lisboa. To my surprise, I was placed in the B1 level, though I keenly felt the gaps in my knowledge of essential A2-level topics. Determined, I embraced the challenge and forged ahead, in order to bridge the divide between my comprehension and production skills.

To supplement my virtual classroom learning, I sought out various resources to immerse myself in the Portuguese language. I eagerly delved into Portuguese media, searching for songs to listen to, videos to watch, and texts to read, ultimately leading me to prefer the Brazilian variant of the rich lusophone (term used to refer to people who speak Portuguese) repertoire. Engaging in conversations via the language-exchange app HelloTalk provided me with the opportunity to connect with native Portuguese speakers (mostly Brazilians), fostering language development and cultural understanding. This was when I met my language-partners-turned-friends, G (from São Paulo) and V (from Minas Gerais).

• Women Empowering through Language

In 2021, V gave me a list of institutions offering Portuguese classes in his state. I found myself drawn to a unique opportunity to learn Portuguese through an NGO called Cio da Terra, offering free online classes in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. These classes, specifically tailored for immigrant women (mostly Venezuelans), provided an immersive learning experience that enriched my understanding of Brazilian culture and its linguistic nuances. I eventually transitioned to individual paid classes through Classe Português Para Estrangeiros, with my instructor, Clara, who taught me not only the nuances of the Mineirês and Baiana but also about Brazilian music, dance and food.

• Brazilian Sojourns: Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro

The allure of Brazil beckoned me, and in August 2022, I embarked on a solo adventure through the captivating region of Minas Gerais. Living with a Brazilian family, I delved deep into the rhythms of everyday conversation, absorbing the vibrant culture and honing my language skills. Inspired by this transformative experience, I continued to explore Brazil, spending ten days in Rio de Janeiro during an April 2023 trip. Reconnecting with my Brazilian family, I marvelled at the diverse accents that peppered the country, further fueling my fascination with the Portuguese language.

• Parisian Connections: Embracing Brazilian Portuguese

In October 2022, frustrated by my ridiculous attempts at a successful and fluid conversation with the locals, I continuously sought to broaden my understanding of Portuguese, I enrolled in online classes offered by Paris City Hall. Guided by a professor hailing from Rio de Janeiro, I delved into the intricacies of Brazilian Portuguese, learning to appreciate the subtle differences and regional variations that make the language so captivating.

The reflections

• From communicative practices and simulations to immersive real-life experiences

Truly understanding Portuguese began with my solo trip to Porto in 2016, where I first experienced the language in its authentic setting. The buzzing streets of the city became my classroom, as I listened intently to conversations and absorbed the melodic cadence of the language.

A subsequent family trip to Macau in 2018 provided another brief encounter with Portuguese, prompting me to purchase my first set of Portuguese textbooks from Livraria Portuguesa, which became my trusted companions on this linguistic voyage while I continue with life in the absence and lack of exposure to this language and culture.

Throughout my Portuguese language learning, I was fortunate to learn from professors who were either Portuguese or Brazilian natives. Their expertise and cultural insights added depth to my understanding of the language, enabling me to appreciate the nuances and regional variations within Portuguese-speaking communities.

True language immersion awaited me in August 2022, when I embarked on a solo trip to Brazil, spending two transformative weeks in Minas Gerais. Staying with a Brazilian family, I was enveloped in a world of Portuguese that extended far beyond the classroom. Conversations over shared meals, exploring local markets, and navigating the lively streets truly immersed me in the language and culture.

Building on this experience, I set on another solo trip to Brazil in April 2023, this time exploring the captivating city of Rio de Janeiro. To boot, I had the opportunity to reconnect with my Brazilian family, further cementing my linguistic and emotional bonds with the country.

• Milestones and Achievements

Throughout the decade-long linguistic odyssey, I celebrated numerous milestones and achievements that marked my progress. From confidently travelling in Portugal, Macau and Brazil, single-handedly transacting my needs in Portuguese, to embracing the opportunity to live with a Brazilian family, each experience fueled my passion for language learning. These accomplishments fostered a deep sense of connection and belongingness within the Portuguese-speaking world, affirming the power of language as a gateway to cultural immersion.

• Contribution to Personal Growth

Learning Portuguese has obviously been a catalyst for personal growth, stretching the boundaries of my world and igniting a newfound zest for life. It has opened my eyes to the richness of diverse cultures, expanded my horizons, and instilled within me a sense of purpose and ambition. For the most part, brought about by my encounters in Brazil, I found not only a language but a community that embraced me, making me feel like an integral part of their world.

The Main takeaway

I decided to open myself up to this language as a way to get through university and move on with my life. I didn’t think much of it then but it has since unknowingly and unintentionally yet quite intensely become an integral part of who I am today. However, I realize that this journey is far from over. And I don’t want it to be “over”. It has awakened within me a hunger for continuous growth, urging me to seek out new goals, destinations, and connections. Portuguese has become more than a language—it has become a lifelong companion in my quest for exploration and self-discovery.

If you’re hoping to get something out of all this, I offer you, reader, this advice: Embrace the challenges, immerse yourself in the language, and seize every opportunity for connection. As you venture into the realm of new tongues, remember that each linguistic milestone brings you closer to a world of possibility, cultural enrichment, and a profound sense of belongingness.

Learning Portuguese has been a collection of diverse experiences, with each one adding its unique flavor to my language skills. It all began in a university classroom, where I took my first steps in studying Portuguese. From there, I went on immersive adventures in Portuguese-speaking countries, allowing me to immerse myself in the language and culture. It has been an exciting journey, spanning continents and exposing me to different cultures, as I strive to master this beautiful language. Although I currently find myself at the crossroads of B1 and B2 comprehension and A2 to B1 production skills, I'm constantly fascinated by the ever-changing nature of language learning. As I continue this never-ending linguistic acquisition, I'm filled with anticipation for the unexplored paths that lie before me, eager to discover new linguistic revelations and embrace the enchanting world of the lusophone world.

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