The big differences are the influences of native and foreign languages, which result in particular words and expressions. Brazilian Portuguese is influenced by indigenous languages and the languages of immigrants, such as Arabic and Italian.
In Mozambique, Portuguese is marked by 20 local languages. Despite being the official language of the country, it is spoken by only 40% of the population.
In Angola, there are 11 languages and several dialects that transform the local Portuguese and increase its vocabulary. But, from a grammatical point of view, Angolan Portuguese is closer to European than Brazilian. For all this, in the three countries, there are regionalisms that can make the language incomprehensible even to other Portuguese speakers. See below:
One language in multiple versions
Brazil
– (Guilherme Lira/)
Here, we like to abuse the gerund tense, very little used in other Portuguese-speaking countries. For example, we use the phrase “I am doing this” instead of “I am doing this”. There is also gerundism, unnecessary use of the gerund, as in “vamos ser veriguando”.
Words from other languages
- Tupiniquim: “moqueca”, “porridge” and “chickenpox”
- Kimbundu (Angola): “marijuana”, “butt” and “cafuné”
- Spanish: “alambrado”, “tablado” and “hombridade”
- Italian: “bandido”, “baderna” and “capricho”
Angola
– (Guilherme Lira/)
In terms of syntax, Angolan Portuguese is very similar to Portuguese. Like our colonizers, Angolans use “si” and “consigo” in circumstances that we use “you” or “sir”. For example, “We have all kinds of household appliances for you”.
Words from other languages
- Kimbundu: “monandengue” (child), “muxima” (heart) and “ginguba” (peanut)
- Umbundu: “ombela” (rain), “akaya” (tobacco) and “atilili” (popcorn)
- Cokwe: “katapi” (peanut), “ndungue” (heart) and “samahonga” (thinker)
- Kikongo: “sukadi” (sugar), “malavu” (beer) and “esamunu” (prophecy)
Mozambique
In Mozambique, the Portuguese language was modified by grammatical rules of local languages. This is the case of the verb “to be born”, which is used there as in the Changana language: “My parents were born to my sister”. The same goes for “We were told that there are no classes today”, which reads: “We were told that there are no classes today”.
Words from other languages
- Gitonga: “mapilapila” (intrigues), “macuti” (palm leaves) and “mati” (water)
- Changana: “molwene” (street children), “machimbombo” (bus) and “brada” (friend or brother)
- Cinyungwe: “amuna” (men), “moto” (fire) and “phew” (flour)
- Emakhuwa: “mirette” (medicine), “murrutthu” (corpse) and “otthapa” (joy)
language quiz
In the figures above, we show some regionalisms, terms and slang typical of each country (and different regions of Brazil). Can you guess what they mean? Below are the answers:
1. It’s the Piauí way of reinforcing a statement
two. It is a Cuiaba expression to indicate inquiry
3. It’s the São Paulo way of saying “You know, right?”
4. In Florianópolis, SC, it means that João nailed it
5. It means that the person heard rumors
6. It is the equivalent of passing a trip
7. I mean she dresses well
8. It’s a young way of saying you’ve had a lot to drink
9. It’s an invitation to breakfast
10. Does that mean the car broke down?
11. It’s the Mozambican way of saying «look there»
12. From Swahili, spoken in northern Mozambique, meaning “no problems”
Consultancy: Tânia Macedo, from the Department of Classical and Vernacular Literature at USP