Five reasons why you should learn Portuguese

You might be thinking; why learn Portuguese? As a language that comes from a small European country of just over 10 million people, can there really be that many benefits to taking the trouble to learn this Latin language? The answer is definitely yes!

 

Portuguese is so much more than Portugal. In fact, learning it could be a great opportunity for you!

 

Speaking Portuguese will not only enlighten new linguistic horizons, but also touristic and professional ones…

 

From its popularity to the fact that it is used in many different parts of the world, let’s discover the 5 reasons that should push anyone to start learning Portuguese.

 

Instead of learning French, Spanish, German or Italian, let’s tackle the Vasco da Gama language and find out why you should learn Portuguese.

 

1. Portuguese is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world.

 

Portuguese culture is strong.

 

Portugal is full of traditional festivals such as Viana do Castelo, Tomar, Campo Maior or Festa da Flor.

 

Although Portugal is much smaller than many other countries, its language can be found far and wide.

 

In fact, Portuguese is an official language in 9 countries on 4 continents.

 

What might surprise you even more is that it is the 7th most spoken language in the world, with an estimated 220 million native speakers.

 

Therefore, learning Portuguese for travel is a great idea, and one that might even open doors for you along the way!

 

2. Travel to Portugal

 

Once you’ve learned conjugation, grammar and pronunciation, you can travel to Portugal and improve your language level while conversing with the locals. Learning this second language in the country itself will allow you to learn new phrases in every conversation you have with a native speaker, while deciphering the different dialects that can be found in the country.

 

A trip to the land of Magellan can quickly be remembered as an unforgettable trip that you will want to repeat again and again.

 

The sun, which shines 300 days a year, will convince even the most reluctant.

 

The advantage of this trip is that in addition to exploring the culture, savoring the cuisine and enjoying the history of this 800-year-old country, you will be able to learn to speak Portuguese and perhaps one day even master the language used in São Paulo. If you want to learn Brazilian Portuguese, you should remember that it differs from the European version.

 

3. Travel to Africa

 

In Africa, several countries use Portuguese as the language of choice.

 

In fact, as former Portuguese colonies, the African continent is home to several countries that have Portuguese as their official language.

 

Angola, the most politically and economically stable of these, is the most sought after by travelers wishing to study the language.

 

But, don’t forget, for those of you who are a bit more adventurous, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, Cape Verde and Sao Tome and Principe are all places where the local populations use Portuguese and its patois version to communicate.

 

4. Travel to Latin America

 

What about the Brazilian job market and its promising trends?

In Latin America, another popular Portuguese-speaking destination is Brazil (the largest Portuguese-speaking nation in the world with over 200 million speakers) which will appeal to beginner, intermediate and advanced Portuguese speakers.

 

As a former Portuguese colony until 1822, Brazil has since reinvented the language of Pedro Alvares Cabral, the man widely credited with being the first European to arrive in Brazil, to create its own version. Some even go so far as to learn Brazilian Portuguese to integrate more easily into Brazilian culture. Você fala português?

 

Brazilian Portuguese differs from the European version both in the vocabulary and in the expressions used, but above all in the pronunciation of the language.

 

Anyone who has previously studied European Portuguese will need a short time to adapt to the new way of speaking, especially considering that the Portuguese pronunciation of certain words changes depending on where you are in Brazil.

 

5. Discover a musical language

 

In 2011, UNESCO named Fado to its list of Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Of all the Latin languages, the Portuguese accent is perhaps one of the most identifiable. Considered a great difficulty for students, the Portuguese language is distinguished from French and Spanish by the tonic accent, which we also find with Italian.

 

This distinction into tonic and atonic (stifled) syllables, as well as the presence of open, closed and nasal vowels scares the learner into mispronouncing words.

 

However, sounding like you are singing is a hallmark of speaking Portuguese.

 

The Advantage of Having a Law Firm at Your Disposal

For most of us, there is nothing more daunting than having to appear before a judge in a courtroom. Whether we are the plaintiff or the defendant, the experience of a trial or legal litigation can be incredibly intimidating. The outcome of cases often has a major impact on the lives of all parties involved, so it is absolutely vital that expert legal representation is sought. Attorneys are highly skilled in both the letter of the law and its application and can be a deciding factor in the outcome of a case. What are the benefits that a specialized law firm can provide?

 

Understanding the laws and regulations

The greatest benefit a specialized law firm can provide is the expert knowledge that can help you negotiate the complex web of laws and regulations. To most people, legalese may seem like a completely foreign language, but highly skilled and experienced attorneys can handle everything for you. While some of us may believe we have acquired professional legal training by watching courtroom dramas on television, the realities of litigation are far more complex. Law firms and highly reputable attorneys will have years of experience and knowledge and will be able to represent you far better than most of us can represent ourselves.

 

Financial

Another benefit that a skilled law firm provides is that they can make a big difference in the level of compensation that your client is entitled to receive or ordered to pay by the judge. Whether you have a skilled attorney defending you in a lawsuit that was filed against you or a lawyer fighting for your just recompense after being involved in an accident, skilled legal representation will allow you to maximize your opportunity through their knowledge and experience. As stated by experts from an international law firm “it is important to have an experienced attorney to help ensure that you get the full compensation you are entitled to”.In car accidents in particular, insurance companies are always trying to find ways to pay less than the value of the damages suffered, leaving many claimants out of pocket. Other times, the compensation owed to you may exceed the other driver’s insurance limit. In both cases, a law firm that has specialized experience in similar cases is absolutely vital.

 

Time Advantages

Another very important benefit that hiring a specialized law firm can give you is that the attorneys will take on the burden that the case places on your time. Trying to represent yourself in even a minor case can be very time consuming, as you must research the details of the case, learn the minutiae of the law yourself, and prepare your case for court. What would take you hours and hours of research can be done in a fraction of the time by an experienced law firm operating on your behalf. Cases can be protracted matters that can totally consume your time and energy. By hiring a specialized law firm to represent you in your case, you will be able to get on with your life and work as normal, confident that everything possible is being done to provide you with the best possible outcome in your case.

 

Emotional and mental relief

Even a relatively minor court case can be extremely emotionally and mentally draining. Most of us are not used to appearing before a judge or jury and the weight of the situation can be very demanding on us and our families. A specialized law firm has extensive experience in these situations and can provide much needed emotional and mental support to their clients and their families. The peace of mind that comes from knowing that you have a skilled and knowledgeable attorney fighting on your side can make the process much more bearable. A skilled law firm will be able to explain the facts of the case and its outcome in a simple and easily understandable manner, which can go a long way toward alleviating the anxiety that comes from a lack of understanding. 

 

The truth of the matter is that the law is a very complex machine and without professional assistance it is very difficult to understand. Even in seemingly minor cases, an experienced law firm that specializes in the subject matter of your case, e.g., a blunt force injury, will provide you with countless benefits or a Spanish will. Good representation can be the deciding factor in a decision for or against you. Legal proceedings are not something to be taken lightly and it is always advisable to seek professional representation.