Portuguese in Europe

A Portugal Flag in front of a Castle

European Portuguese is the language spoken in continental Portugal.  It is also spoken in the Azores and Madeira islands. The label “European” is used to distinguish the language from Brazilian Portuguese.  The two languages differ quite a lot and have several dialects. The major difference in dialects of European Portuguese is between what is spoken on the mainland and the Islands.  On the mainland, there are Northern and Southern dialects of the language.  These are spoken near the regions of Coimbra and Lisbon. The cultural differences among the European Portuguese people are largely responsible for the variations in dialect.  These distinctions are the result of many factors.  Education, economics, politics, and travel are some of them. Overall, some of these differences are the result of geography while others are the result of changes in population.

Northern and Southern Portuguese

The main division of European Portuguese involves the Northern and Southern dialects of the language. The phonetic changes that are the most noticeable are the differences between the North and the South.  In northern Portugal, the letters “b” and “v” don’t sound as different as they do in other parts of the country.  In southern Portugal, there is greater use of the gerund in the present progressive tense, as opposed to the infinitive.

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Andorra and Luxembourg

Portuguese is also popular among a minority of people in Andorra and Luxembourg.  Andorra continues to express interest in joining the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries (the CPLP). This organization has several members throughout Europe and Asia. The CPLP is an important source of economic, cultural, and political influence worldwide.

France and Germany

France and Germany also have thriving Portuguese-speaking communities. These two countries have wealthy immigrants who travel between Portugal and the rest of the European continent. As a result, they have introduced the Portuguese language to other cities across Europe.

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Galician

A close relative of European Portuguese is the Galician language.  It is primarily located within the Autonomous Community of Galicia in Spain.  There are many similarities between this language and Portuguese. Galicia has also stated its desire to join the CPLP as an associate observer. They await approval from the Spanish government.   European Portuguese is in the midst of a cultural expansion. The expansion unites immigrant communities across the continent. Along with the credibility of the CPLP, European Portuguese has an established history with dedicated speakers. The language is a crucial part of Europe’s strength and global success.

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