The New Spelling of the Portuguese Language - Antônio Houaiss

The New Spelling of the Portuguese Language - Antônio Houaiss

The New Spelling of the Portuguese Language: A Comprehensive Guide to the Latest Reforms

Introduction

The Portuguese language is a beautiful and complex language, with a rich history and a vast vocabulary. However, it can also be a challenging language to learn, especially for those who are not native speakers. One of the biggest challenges is the spelling, which can be quite different from the pronunciation.

In recent years, there have been a number of reforms to the Portuguese spelling, aimed at making it more consistent and easier to learn. These reforms have been met with mixed reactions, with some people welcoming the changes and others resisting them.

The New Spelling: What's Changed?

The most significant change in the new spelling is the elimination of the silent letters "h" and "u" in many words. For example, the word "alho" (garlic) is now spelled "alho", and the word "muito" (very) is now spelled "muito".

Another change is the addition of the letter "c" to the end of some words that end in "s". For example, the word "nós" (we) is now spelled "nós", and the word "vos" (you) is now spelled "vós".

Finally, there have been some changes to the way that certain letters are pronounced. For example, the letter "s" is now pronounced as "sh" in some words, such as "xarope" (syrup).

Why the Changes Were Made

The changes to the Portuguese spelling were made in order to make the language more consistent and easier to learn. By eliminating silent letters and adding the letter "c" to the end of some words, the spelling is now more closely aligned with the pronunciation. This will make it easier for people who are learning Portuguese to spell words correctly.

The Benefits of the New Spelling

The new spelling of the Portuguese language has a number of benefits, including:

  • It is more consistent. The elimination of silent letters and the addition of the letter "c" to the end of some words makes the spelling more closely aligned with the pronunciation. This will make it easier for people who are learning Portuguese to spell words correctly.
  • It is easier to learn. The new spelling is more consistent and easier to pronounce, which will make it easier for people who are learning Portuguese to master the language.
  • It is more modern. The new spelling reflects the modern pronunciation of the Portuguese language. This will make it easier for people who are learning Portuguese to communicate with native speakers.

Conclusion

The new spelling of the Portuguese language is a positive change that will make the language more consistent, easier to learn, and more modern. If you are learning Portuguese, I encourage you to embrace the new spelling and take advantage of its benefits.

How to Get the Book

The New Spelling of the Portuguese Language is available for purchase at major bookstores and online retailers. You can also find it at the Portuguese Language Institute website.