SafekipediaLanguages of Portugal
Adapted from Wikipedia · Discoverer experience
The languages of Portugal include Portuguese, which is the main language spoken by most people. Other languages and dialects such as Mirandese, Portuguese Sign Language, Leonese, and Caló are also recognized. There are also other linguistic groups like argots and transitional languages that have developed over time.
Historically, before Portuguese became the dominant language, areas of what is now Portugal were home to languages like Celtic and Lusitanian. These older languages left their marks on place names and some words that are still used today. Understanding the languages of Portugal helps us appreciate the rich cultural history of the country and the many influences that have shaped it over the centuries.
Modern
Portuguese is the main language spoken in Portugal by almost everyone. However, there are interesting variations and other languages too. Some areas have their own versions of Portuguese, like Alentejan Portuguese, Beiran Portuguese, and Northern Portuguese. There are also special languages such as Mirandese, recognized as a minority language, and Caló, used by the Romani community. Additionally, Portuguese Sign Language is used by people who are deaf.
Many Portuguese people also learn other languages, like English, French, and Spanish. As of 2016, about 59.6% of adults aged 18–64 spoke English, 21.5% spoke French, and 14.8% spoke Spanish as foreign languages.
Sample text
Romance languages
The Romance languages spoken in Portugal include several interesting varieties. One example is a story originally written in Rionorese Leonese.
Caló
An example of Caló is found in a version of The Lord's Prayer.
| Caló | English |
|---|---|
Y les penó: Pur manguelareis, penelad: Amaro Dada, oté andré o Tarpe, majarificable sinele tun nao. Abillele tun chim. Sinele querdi tun pesquital andré a jolili, sasta andré o Tarpe. Diñamangue achibes amaro manro de cada chibes. Y amangue ertina amarias visabas, andiar sasta mu ertinamos á os sares, sos debisarelen amangue buchi. Y na enseeles amangue andré o chungalo y choro. | And he said to them: When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. |
Historically
Other languages have been spoken in the area that is now Portugal.
Before the Romans arrived, languages such as Proto-Celtic, Celtic languages, Tartessian language, and Lusitanian language were used.
During and after the Roman time, many other languages came to the area, including Arabic language, Berber languages, Germanic languages, and Latin language. From Latin came languages such as Galician-Portuguese and Mirandese language.
Related articles
This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Languages of Portugal, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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