Portuguese Translation
What are the similarities and differences between Spanish and Portuguese?
Spelling
Looking at the written forms of Portuguese and Spanish, you will note many similarities. For this reason, native speakers of either language can often read both easily. When it comes to speaking and listening to the language, however, it can be more challenging. This is because Portuguese phonology is more complex than Spanish. Consequently, if you are looking for trusted translations between Spanish and Portuguese, using a human translator is essential.
Origins
Spanish and Portuguese are both Ibero-Romance languages, originating from Latin. As Spain and Portugal border one another, the two countries have long had an interlinked history.
Syntax
Portuguese and Spanish do not always follow the same word order. For instance, in Portuguese, there are many instances where pronouns are placed after the verb, whereas in Spanish, they are placed before.
Articles
In Portuguese, you have to put the definite article before names. For instance, to say ‘Amelia eats’ you would have to say a Amelia come, whereas in Spanish it would be Amelia come. Articles are also required when before possessive adjectives and pronouns in Portuguese, but are only used in Spanish before possessive pronouns.
How important is Portuguese?
Widely spoken
Spoken by 223 million native speakers, Portuguese is the sixth most spoken language in the world. It is an official language in Portugal, Brazil and several African countries, including Mozambique and Cape Verde. In fact, only 5% of Portuguese speakers live in Portugal.
Career opportunities and Portuguese translation
Brazil is the largest country in South America, with a population of 211 million. The country also has the eighth largest economy in the world and is set to continue to grow. There are important differences between Brazilian Portuguese and European Portuguese. Portuguese translations should consider these variances, as well as accounting for cultural differences.
Future growth
As a result of its large distribution across the world, Portuguese is a widely-spoken language that continues to grow. According to UNESCO, it has the potential to become an ‘international communication language’.
Travel Opportunities
In Brazil, you can relax on sun-kissed beaches, munch on an açai bowl and participate in the colourful Carnival. Portugal, meanwhile, is famous for its seafood, coastline and Porto wine. Traveling across the Portuguese speaking world, whether for business or pleasure, promises unforgettable experiences.