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Brazilians start 2009 facing the task of learning new spelling rules that have just come into effect.

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(excerpts):
In Portugal, there has been fierce resistance in some quarters to the changes because many of the changes are to spell words the Brazilian way.

Proponents says the move will make the language more uniform globally, making such things as internet searches and legal documents easier to understand.

Portugal has ratified the changes but also has no set deadline for introducing them. And it is there that resistance is most keenly felt. Thousands of people signed a petition against the reforms, arguing that it amounted to adopting Brazilian spellings.

"Of course it is a capitulation to Brazilian interests," Portuguese MEP Vasco Graca Moura told BBC Brasil.

"The day that Brazilian orthography can be used everywhere Portuguese is spoken is of huge benefit to Brazilian economic interests, especially those involved in producing schoolbooks," he said.

But Angolan writer Jose Eduardo Agualusa believes that the reforms will be of most benefit to African countries. "Right now in Angola, there are two ways of spelling - the Brazilian and the Portuguese way. That in a country whose great challenge is to ensure literacy among its people," he said.

Brazilians start 2009 facing the task of learning new spelling rules that have just come into effect.

Full story

(excerpts):
In Portugal, there has been fierce resistance in some quarters to the changes because many of the changes are to spell words the Brazilian way. ...

But Angolan writer Jose Eduardo Agualusa believes that the reforms will be of most benefit to African countries. "Right now in Angola, there are two ways of spelling - the Brazilian and the Portuguese way. That in a country whose great challenge is to ensure literacy among its people," he said.

It sounds like it's Portugal and not Brazil that is facing the spelling reform, but the Angolan writer seems to be most in favor of it.

Can you imaging the lamentations that would arise if someone tried to unify English spelling? None of the various dialects would be in favor of changing their favourite spellings!

Stargzr, you're right!
No one would be in favour of unifying English spelling.
It would change the colour and complexion of some cultures.

It sounds like it's Portugal and not Brazil that is facing the spelling reform, but the Angolan writer seems to be most in favor of it.

Maybe that's inferred from my selective quotation from mid-article. The broader story is about a spelling reform that the general Lusophonic world may or may not accept. Brasil has done so, since as the most influential Lusophone state, the reform package reflects its current use more closely than it does the mother country, hence the latter's dearth of enthusiasm. As with English, the European and American versions have travelled divergent motorways even while using the same tyres.

It sounds sensible to give priority to the Brazilian form of the language, considering that more than 90% of Portuguese speakers live in Brazil.

It sounds sensible to give priority to the Brazilian form of the language, considering that more than 90% of Portuguese speakers live in Brazil.

So, does this mean that when another few Chinese begin speaking English the Brits and Americans should follow along?

No, it does not. Brazilians are Portuguese native speakers and are also an integral part of the evolution of the language. In addition, there are strong cultural links between Portugal and Brazil. Of course, any idea taken to the extreme will not make much sense.