Knowledge to go
Where Portuguese Is Spoken
Portuguese is a Romance language that originated in Portugal. It is the official language in several countries worldwide, the two largest and most well-known being Portugal and Brazil. Portuguese is also the official language in smaller states across Africa and Asia, including Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, East Timor, and Macau. In total, 250 million people speak and understand Portuguese in various dialects and linguistic versions. Due to its similarities to Spanish, French, and Italian, Portuguese is also somewhat understood in countries like Spain, France, and Italy.
The different variations within the Portuguese language make translations into or out of Portuguese more challenging than one might think. Grammar, sentence structure, and expression share the same foundation but vary depending on the region. Additionally, the cultural understanding of certain words can make translation difficult. Inaccurate or insufficiently precise translations can quickly lead to misunderstandings.
Portuguese vs. Brazilian Portuguese
The most important thing first: There is no such thing as "Brazilian." The correct term is Brazilian Portuguese. Although Portuguese is spoken in both Portugal and Brazil, the two versions differ in pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and expressions.
Pronunciation is one of the main differences between the two variants. The s in Brazil is often pronounced like sh, while in Portugal, it sounds more like ss. Additionally, Brazilians often pronounce the r as a soft h, while in Portugal, it is more often rolled. In Brazil, grammatical changes have also been introduced, such as the use of the personal pronoun você (similar to you), whereas in Portugal, tu is more commonly used. Moreover, Portuguese vocabulary has many words borrowed from French or Arabic, while in Brazil, several terms have indigenous origins.
These are just a few examples of the peculiarities of both language versions. What becomes clear is that a Portuguese translation is only good and comprehensible if it considers all grammatical, terminological, and cultural specifics and translates them appropriately for the recipients. Native speakers, ideally living in the target language's region, are best suited for this. They deliver professional translations with the correct tone, which you can find at a translation service.
Portuguese Specialized Translations – What Matters
A specialized translation is often required for texts written for a specific audience and dealing with complex topics using specialized terminology. Translators must pay close attention to every linguistic and grammatical detail while also demonstrating expertise in the subject area. Without this, negligent errors could result in serious consequences in the worst-case scenario.
For example, a careful translation of medical documents requires a translator with a strong medical background. Errors in translation can have severe implications for patients’ health. Similarly, technical translations, such as for manuals or technical guides, require precision to avoid accidents and injuries. The same applies to other fields and industries. So:
Be clear about the type of text you need to have translated into Portuguese (or from Portuguese) and how your target audience communicates. This way, you’ll find the best solution and receive translations that are accurate and effective.
