Brazil adopts spelling reforms

Miscellaneous Other Topics.
sluggo
Grand Panjandrum
Posts: 1476
Joined: Wed Apr 12, 2006 1:58 pm
Location: Carolinia Agrestícia: The Forest Primeval

Brazil adopts spelling reforms

Postby sluggo » Thu Jan 01, 2009 1:49 pm

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.

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.
Stop! Murder us not, tonsured rumpots! Knife no one, fink!

Stargzer
Great Grand Panjandrum
Posts: 2578
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 3:56 pm
Location: Crownsville, MD

Re: Brazil adopts spelling reforms

Postby Stargzer » Fri Jan 02, 2009 11:23 pm

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! :wink:
Regards//Larry

"To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them."
-- Attributed to Richard Henry Lee

skinem
Grand Panjandrum
Posts: 1197
Joined: Thu Apr 27, 2006 4:33 pm
Location: Middle Tennessee

Postby skinem » Sat Jan 03, 2009 11:24 am

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

sluggo
Grand Panjandrum
Posts: 1476
Joined: Wed Apr 12, 2006 1:58 pm
Location: Carolinia Agrestícia: The Forest Primeval

Re: Brazil adopts spelling reforms

Postby sluggo » Sat Jan 03, 2009 4:26 pm

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.
Stop! Murder us not, tonsured rumpots! Knife no one, fink!

uncronopio
Lexiterian
Posts: 113
Joined: Thu Apr 21, 2005 12:46 am
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Contact:

Postby uncronopio » Sat Mar 07, 2009 4:24 pm

It sounds sensible to give priority to the Brazilian form of the language, considering that more than 90% of Portuguese speakers live in Brazil.
"Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest." -- Mark Twain

User avatar
Slava
Great Grand Panjandrum
Posts: 8039
Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2006 9:31 am
Location: Finger Lakes, NY

Postby Slava » Sat Mar 07, 2009 7:28 pm

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?
Life is like playing chess with chessmen who each have thoughts and feelings and motives of their own.

uncronopio
Lexiterian
Posts: 113
Joined: Thu Apr 21, 2005 12:46 am
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Contact:

Postby uncronopio » Sun Mar 08, 2009 12:53 am

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.
"Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest." -- Mark Twain


Return to “Res Diversae”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 13 guests