Grammar Lesson 14: Absence of Direct Object Pronouns, Mobile Homes

Grammar Lesson 14: Absence of Direct Object Pronouns, Mobile Homes

Author: College of Liberal Arts, University of Texas at Austin September 13, 2007 Duration: 10:24
asset title: Grammar Lesson 14: Absence of Direct Object Pronouns, Mobile Homes filename: tafalado_gra_14.mp3 track number: 40/46 time: 10:24 size: 7.32 MB bitrate: 96 kbps OK, so you are driving down the freeway and you see a semi going 70 mph and there is a mobile home being pulled along. Well, yes, I do see why that would seem rather shocking to a Brazilian. Thanks go to Valdo and Michelle for making that observation. Grammar-wise, we are also going to talk about dropping direct object pronouns. Better to drop pronouns than mobile homes from semis! Dialog Portuguese Michelle: Você viu aquele caminhão levando aquela casa inteirinha? Valdo: Vi sim. Que coisa, né? Michelle: Pois é, a primeira vez que vi tomei um susto. Você compraria aquela casa pra você? Valdo: Não, não compraria não. Prefiro a minha casa de concreto no Brasil que está bem presa ao chão. E você transportaria sua casa assim com tudo dentro? Michelle: Transportaria sim. Por que? Você não gosta desse sistema não? Valdo: Não gosto muito não. Como já te disse, prefiro minha casa bem presa ao chão. Spanish Michelle: ¿Viste tú aquel camión llevando aquella casa entera? Valdo: Sí lo vi. Qué cosa, ¿verdad? Michelle: Pues, la primera vez que lo vi, me asusté. ¿Comprarías tú aquella casa? Valdo: No, no la compraría. Prefiero que mi casa en Brasil sea de concreto y que esté bien fijada en el suelo. ¿Transportarías tú la casa así con todo adentro? Michelle: Sí, la transportaría. ¿Por qué? ¿A ti no te gusta el sistema? Valdo: No me gusta mucho. Como ya te dije, prefiero una casa que esté en el suelo. English Michelle: Did you see that truck carrying that whole house? Valdo: I did see it. How weird, huh? Michelle: Yeah, the first time that I saw one it surprised me. Would you ever buy that house for you? Valdo: No, I wouldn't buy it. I prefer a concrete home in Brazil that is well attached to the ground. And would you transport your house like that with every thing in it? Michelle: Yes, I would transport it. Why? Don't you like the system here? Valdo: No, I don't like it a lot. As I already told you, I prefer my house to be stuck to the ground.

For anyone who speaks Spanish and wants to learn the distinct sounds of Brazilian Portuguese, Tá Falado is a focused and practical resource. This podcast comes from the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Austin, and it’s built on a simple, effective idea: your existing knowledge of Spanish is a powerful starting point. Each episode deliberately contrasts the two languages, breaking down specific pronunciation challenges like vowel sounds, nasal consonants, and intonation patterns that often trip up Spanish speakers. You’ll hear clear comparisons and practice examples that highlight these differences directly. Beyond the mechanics of speech, the podcast naturally weaves in cultural notes and real-life scenarios, offering glimpses into daily life and social interactions in Brazil compared to common experiences in the United States. It’s this combination of linguistic precision and cultural context that makes the lessons stick. As part of the broader Brazilpod project, Tá Falado is academically informed but entirely approachable, turning a potentially difficult learning curve into a series of manageable, insightful steps. The goal isn’t just to be understood, but to sound more authentic and confident when speaking.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 46

Tá Falado: Brazilian Portuguese Pronunciation for Speakers of Spanish
Podcast Episodes
Grammar Lesson 20: This Just Isn't Spanish, Adapting to Handicapped [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:03
asset title: Grammar Lesson 20: This Just Isn't Spanish, Adapting to Handicapped filename: tafalado_gra_20.mp3 track number: 46/46 time: 11:03 size: 7.77 MB bitrate: 96 kbps Oh man, where did this word come from? After a…
Grammar Lesson 19: Present Perfect, Naming People [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:09
asset title: Grammar Lesson 19: Present Perfect, Naming People filename: tafalado_gra_19.mp3 track number: 45/46 time: 16:09 size: 11.36 MB bitrate: 96 kbps One of life's great mysteries is if a Brazilian marries someone…
Grammar Lesson 18: Word Order, Buses and Services [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:56
asset title: Grammar Lesson 18: Word Order, Buses and Services filename: tafalado_gra_18.mp3 track number: 44/46 time: 10:56 size: 7.69 MB bitrate: 96 kbps So how weird would it be to be a Brazilian in the United States…
Grammar Lesson 17: Também x Também não, Online Activities [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:44
asset title: Grammar Lesson 17: Também x Também não, Online Activities filename: tafalado_gra_17.mp3 track number: 43/46 time: 9:44 size: 6.85 MB bitrate: 96 kbps Spanish speakers who are used to saying tampoco will now…
Grammar Lesson 16: Placement of Indirect Pronouns, Greeting Friends [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:33
asset title: Grammar Lesson 16: Placement of Indirect Pronouns, Greeting Friends filename: tafalado_gra_16.mp3 track number: 42/46 time: 12:33 size: 8.82 MB bitrate: 96 kbps In this lesson, Michelle claims that most peop…
Grammar Lesson 15: False Cognates, Driver's License [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:50
asset title: Grammar Lesson 15: False Cognates, Driver's License filename: tafalado_gra_15.mp3 track number: 41/46 time: 10:50 size: 7.62 MB bitrate: 96 kbps No kidding, Orlando was in Mexico City one time and saw a man…
Grammar Lesson 13: Gender in Portuguese and Spanish, Buying Alcohol [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:33
asset title: Grammar Lesson 13: Gender in Portuguese and Spanish, Buying Alcohol filename: tafalado_gra_13.mp3 track number: 39/46 time: 11:33 size: 8.12 MB bitrate: 96 kbps To be clear, we are referring to gender agreem…
Grammar Lesson 11: Topic-Comment Patterns, Special Needs Privileges [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:01
asset title: Grammar Lesson 11: Topic-Comment Patterns, Special Needs Privileges filename: tafalado_gra_11.mp3 track number: 37/46 time: 12:01 size: 8.46 MB bitrate: 96 kbps Just look at that barriga! Clearly the polite…
Grammar Lesson 10: Word Order of Negative Phrases, Paying for Parties [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:25
asset title: Grammar Lesson 10: Word Order of Negative Phrases, Paying for Parties filename: tafalado_gra_10.mp3 track number: 36/46 time: 11:25 size: 8.02 MB bitrate: 96 kbps 'Não, não sei não.' This is the pattern for…