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In Spanish (and Portuguese, I think), each letter represents one and only one sound (except the letter C which in Spanish can have either the S or K sound). There are no such thing as "spelling bee contests" because anyone knowing just the 24 sounds, simply scores 100%. (the W and K in Spanish exist only in foreign loan words).
In Portuguese it's quite different.
The connection between written and spoken language is flawer than Spanish. The vowels /e/ and /o/ may be open or closed and not always it's represented through spoken language. Same to /a/, which sounds like /u/ in the english words "funny" before "m" or "n" or with a tilde above, and like in spanish otherwise.
Also "r" and "s" in Portuguese feature distinct sounds: "r" between two vowels sounds flapped, and guttural otherwise ("rr" is always guttural); and "s" sounds like /z/ between two vowels and voiceless otherwise. The letter "x" may be represent the sounds /sh/, /ks/, /s/ or /z/ depending on the context.
In much of Brazil, the consonants "d" and "t" becomes "gee" and "chee" before "i", or before unstressed "e" (note that this change never happens in Northeastern Brazil, nor in any part of Portugal and Angola).
French (and English) both have highly illogical spellings.
For instance, the vowel sound "AY" can be spelled in French, as e', ee', et, est, ets, ez, ai, ais, ait. In addition, French and English have a great many silent letters.
In Spanish (and Portuguese, I think), each letter represents one and only one sound (except the letter C which in Spanish can have either the S or K sound). There are no such thing as "spelling bee contests" because anyone knowing just the 24 sounds, simply scores 100%. (the W and K in Spanish exist only in foreign loan words).
I think it's easier for a Portuguese speaker to master Spanish the phonetics of Portuguese are more complex. The Spanish speakers really struggle with some of the sounds that don't exist in Spanish.
I think it's easier for a Portuguese speaker to master Spanish the phonetics of Portuguese are more complex. The Spanish speakers really struggle with some of the sounds that don't exist in Spanish.
True, Portuguese speaking people understand Spanish better than the other way around and also the reason why I recommend people focus on mastering Spanish.
Spanish is easier to learn, way more useful, and has many more learning resources.
True, Portuguese speaking people understand Spanish better than the other way around and also the reason why I recommend people focus on mastering Spanish.
Spanish is easier to learn, way more useful, and has many more learning resources.
I depends on where your interests lie, people learn to speak languages for reasons other than financial return.(I can't relate to these posters that keep bringing up money, I'm guessing they don't have any). It is true that the Spanish speaking population is greater than the Portuguese 500 million vs 200 million and that there are more Spanish speaking countries but there are significant cultural differences in the two realms of speakers. I would say follow your interests. If one is interested in Brazil, Angola, Cape Verde, Sao Tome, Mozambique, Goa, Macau and Timor Leste then learn Portuguese. Although it seems the Portuguese language is under attack in Goa and Macau few Portuguese speakers remain. Some of the old Colonial families still speak it in Goa in regards to Macau I'm not sure if any of the Macanese(the mixed population) still speak it.
I depends on where your interests lie, people learn to speak languages for reasons other than financial return.
Even if it's not for financial return purposes I see no point on learning Portuguese when Portuguese speaking people understand Spanish really well (better than the other way around). Of course if one wants to live in one of those countries it is important to learn the language, other than that, no thanks.
I've been to Brazil many times for vacation and since their English skills are very poor (this also applies to Latin America as a whole) I did fine with Spanish only.
Even if it's not for financial return purposes I see no point on learning Portuguese when Portuguese speaking people understand Spanish really well (better than the other way around). Of course if one wants to live in one of those countries it is important to learn the language, other than that, no thanks.
I've been to Brazil many times for vacation and since their English skills are very poor (this also applies to Latin America as a whole) I did fine with Spanish only.
No they can't unless they've been exposed to it you're absolutely wrong on that one.
Even if it's not for financial return purposes I see no point on learning Portuguese when Portuguese speaking people understand Spanish really well (better than the other way around). Of course if one wants to live in one of those countries it is important to learn the language, other than that, no.
You know, there is music, literature, poetry...
You could do yourself a favour and read Camões in original, for example
You know, there is music, literature, poetry...
You could do yourself a favour and read Camões in original, for example
In addition it's pretty damn rude to go to a Portuguese speaking country and expect them to understand your Spanish because you see no point in learning Portuguese.
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