Brazilian or European Portuguese?

Question

Hey,
I know Spanish,French and Hindi and was looking for another language to learn in my spare time.
In terms of number of people who speak it, would Brazilian or European Portuguese help you more? If you learned one, but needed the other, could you switch over easily? Finally, what dialect do they speak in Africa?


Thanks!

Answer 1

More than 70% of the Portuguese speakers are Brazilian.

In Africa and in Asia, the variety of Portuguese spoken is more resemblant to European Portuguese than Brazilian. They also use European spelling.

I think that Brazilian Portuguese is the most understood variety, because Brazilian TV shows are available in Portugal and in Africa, but there have never been any Portuguese shows available in Brazilian television. (there was a Portuguese soap, but it was dubbed to Brazilian Portuguese!!!!)

I think that the differences between European and Brazilian Portuguese are like American and British English. There is the accent and the spelling differences, but on the whole, they are 100% mutually intelligible. (with the exception of a few vocabulary items)

So my recommendation is that you should learn Brazilian, as it is the most widely spoken and understood variety, unless you have a specific reason why you'd like the learn the European one.

Answer 2

Although there are much more Brazilians than Portuguese people (180 million vs 10 million), I as a Brazilian recommend you European Portuguese. It's purer and more educated so learn Brazilian Portuguese is an easy step-down. I personally prefer the European version

Answer 3

About 200 million people in the world speak Portuguese, 180 million of them are Brazilian. But if you live in Europe, Portuguese Portuguese would be more useful. But don't worry too much cause afterall the differences are not that big. In case you want to be understood by native speakers Brazilian Portuguese is good cause Portugueses can understand Brazilians more than the opposite.

In Africa their Portuguese verson is much more alike Portuguese Portuguese.

Answer 4

If you live in North America, you should learn Brazilian Portuguese. If you live in Europe, learn the European accent. I think they would easily translate to each other though, just like American and British English do.

As for Africa, there are soooo many languages spoken there in terms of tribes and different countries-- but they mostly converse internationally in French or English.

Answer 5

Hi. I am fluent in neither, but I have several Brazilian friends as well as friends from Cape Verde. The pronunciation is quite different between them. For instance, in European Portuguese good morning is pronounced "bon dia" (I know thats not how it's spelled). In Brazil it is "Bom gia". Just for instance. Because we are dealing here in the US more with South America, knowing both Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese could be very useful. My opinion.

Answer 6

Well. I advice you to learn brazilian portuguese because, Brazil is greater than Portugal, and you will have more chances with brazilians.
Second, if you speak brazilian portuguese, you'll be understood by portugueses and many africans, also.
But, it depends. What is your interest: business, cultural contact or ancient luso poetry?

Answer 7

Brazilian is much better. Portuguese is now owned by Brazil.

Answer 8

Brazilian for you can go off there and never come back.

Answer 9

that sounds cool that you know a lot of lanuages i would learn brazilian...and africon is british and normal

Answer 10

first european isn't a language
second brazilians speak portuguese
back to your question if you know spanish potuguese is easy