Learning The Language

Even if you are moving to a predominantly ex-patriot part of the Algarve, it will pay to learn some of the basics of Portuguese before you get there. Although the Portuguese are extremely tolerant people, and very good at speaking English, it must annoy them, deep down, that the vast majority of visitors don’t even learn the common courtesies in their language. Those people who do bother to try and say a few words have all commented that the response they receive is immediately warming. Once the Portuguese know you are having a go, and even learning their language, they will take the time to help you. Obviously, the more you can take on board the better, as even in the Algarve there will be situations where you may come across someone with less knowledge of English – particularly older people in small shops, or away from the tourist spots in the country areas.

How much more satisfying it is to be able to pass the time of day with someone in their own lingo. (And you are less likely to ripped off if you can communicate in Portuguese, although this doesn’t happen often.) Being able to verify bus and train travel times, check prices, ask the time, tell someone you are unwell, are all occasions when a few phrases will help. But also very important if you are making your life out there is being able to go into a bar, order a drink, and join in at a low level, even everyday chit-chat, for example about the football match everyone is avidly following on the TV above your head!

One chap I spoke to about his experiences from the language aspect, said:

Barbara Baird, from Manchester, delightfully told me:

That should get easier now as Barbara has been coming to my classes, so on her next visit she’s going to accept the eggs with a few Portuguese phrases.

So, how can you go about learning some Portuguese before you set off?

• Join a language class. If you have time before you move, and have access to a local college (adult college or post-16), there may be classes held, mainly in the evening. Typically these will focus on basic holiday language, and will be an excellent introduction for you. If you have never been to a class like this before don’t fear. They are normally great fun. It is rare to find someone who has any previous experience of Portuguese so all the class members are in the same boat, and you will be surprised at how much you pick up even after a couple of weeks.
• Language books and courses at home. There is now a growing number of books, many with audio tapes/CDs, which can be used at home. Pick something at a beginners’ level to get going, and try to do a little every day if you can. It is better to aim for 10–15 minutes daily than to try and do a whole hour just once a week. The drip-drip approach always helps in the long run, and ensures you don’t become overwhelmed by it all and lose heart.
• Buy a phrase book. These are helpful for picking up basic survival phrases, but are aimed mostly at holiday visitors. Still, they are a handy starting point, and will also fit in your bag to take with you. Many now come with a tape or CD, which will help you with pronunciation. If you can’t get an audio version, aim for one of the books that give you an approximate guide to how each word is said. Bear in mind, though, that it is just approximate – pronunciation can vary in Portugal as anywhere. The Algarve accent, in particular, can be fairly tricky to understand as the locals cut off the beginnings and endings of words. The word for thank-you – obrigado, often just sounds like briga in the south.
• Watch the television. The BBC often run repeats of their successful series Discovering Portuguese, made in the late 80s, and their new series Talk Portuguese, both of which are a mix of language-learning, culture and glorious scenes of different parts of Portugal. They are normally shown on BBC2 in the ‘Learning Zone’, between 2–6am. Keep a look out in the TV guide to check when they are on, and if you can, record them so you can use them as many times as you want.
• Tune in to satellite TV. If you have satellite TV, you may well have access to Portuguese TV, such as the international channel RTPi. Check with your supplier. Some dishes can pick up Brazilian channels, which although sounding rather different, are an introduction to the mighty Brazilian soap opera (telenovela) so keenly followed in Portugal.
• Read Portuguese newspapers and magazines. Either pick some up on your visits to Portugal, or ask friends to send you some. Be sensible about what you try and look at – full-page spreads in newspapers will leave you reaching for the vinho bottle, but a short snippet in a magazine may be manageable.
• Read Portuguese books for children and schools. These are very useful, and there are some companies who produce bilingual books. One is Mantra Publishing, who do a lovely range of bilingual children’s books in many languages, including Portuguese. For their catalogue, telephone 020-8445-5123, or visit their website: www.mantralingua.com
• Buy a UK magazine for the Portuguese. Another useful source of Portuguese reading matter is the magazine produced for the Portuguese communities in the UK: Vida Nova. It costs £15 for 10 editions. Telephone 020-7625-5672 or email: info@vida-nova.co.uk
• Learn on the internet. There are some internet sites with language-learning facilities, such as the online course from Glasgow University ‘De tudo um pouco’. The BBC languages site has good coverage from the Talk Portuguese series. Even without internet access, if you have a computer, you can buy super CD Roms to use on them, with great games and if you have a speaker you can hear the pronunciation of words. EuroTalk (World Talk) have a few in their series. Telephone 0800-018-8838, or visit the website: www.eurotalk.co.uk

Whatever you do will be a good starting point, and win you friends in Portugal. You can continue your efforts once you get there (see also Chapters 13 and 14). Do feel free to contact me for further advice on learning the language, and finding a class near you, by writing to me c/o the Publishers.