Grammar Lesson 15: False Cognates, Driver's License

Grammar Lesson 15: False Cognates, Driver's License

Author: College of Liberal Arts, University of Texas at Austin September 18, 2007 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 in Chapultepec Park who was selling helados esquisitos. Why would anyone want to buy 'weird' ice cream? Turns out, in Spanish esquisito means exquisite, and Mexicans actually like to have their helado esquisito! It's a positive thing. In Portuguese, esquisito means strange or weird. OK, that's what we mean by false cognates. Although many words between Spanish and Portuguese are similar, there are others that trick you because the meaning isn't what you expect. Dialog Portuguese Valdo: Você tirou sua carteira de motorista aqui no Texas? Michelle: Tirei sim. E logo comecei a dirigir pra todos os lugares. Valdo: Você não ficou surpresa ao saber que aqui se consegue a carteira aos 16 anos? Porque no Brasil só a partir dos 18. E o seu teste, você foi bem? Michelle: Você acredita que eu coloquei meu apelido no computador ao invés do meu nome e sobrenome? Valdo: Ah, é que você ainda estava grávida! Você não ficou embarassada em dirigir no dia do teste com aquele barrigão? Michelle: Claro que não! Eu até freqüentei a universidade grávida. Spanish Valdo: ¿Sacaste tú la licencia de conducir aquí en Texas? Michelle: Sí, la saqué. Y después empecé a manejar por todos los lugares. Valdo: ¿No te sorprendiste al saber que aquí se consigue la licencia a los 16 años de edad? Porque en el Brasil sólo a partir de los 18. Y tu examen, ¿cómo saliste? Michelle: ¿Puedes creer que puse mi sobrenombre en la computadora en lugar de mi nombre y apellido? Valdo: Y todavía estabas embarazada! ¿No te avergonzaste en manejar el día del examen con esa barriga? Michelle: Claro que no! Yo también asistí a la universidad embarazada. English Valdo: Did you get your driver's license here in Texas? Michelle: Yes, I got it. And then I began to drive everywhere. Valdo: Weren't you surprised to find out that here one can get their driver's license at 16? Because in Brazil you have to be 18. And how about your test, how did it go? Michelle: Can you believe that I put my nickname on the computer instead of my first and last name? Valdo: Wow, and you were still pregnant! Weren't you embarrassed about driving for your test with that big stomach? Michelle: Of course not! I even attended the university while pregnant.

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
Lesson 2: Pronunciation of /u/, Slamming the Car Door [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:27
asset title: Lesson 2: Pronunciation of /u/, Slamming the Car Door filename: tafalado_02.mp3 track number: 2/46 time: 9:27 size: 6.65 MB bitrate: 96 kbps The good news about Lesson #2 is that we're back. It must be that…
Lesson 1: Pronunciation of /i/, Getting the Check at a Restaurant [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:32
asset title: Lesson 1: Pronunciation of /i/, Getting the Check at a Restaurant filename: tafalado_01.mp3 track number: 1/46 time: 10:32 size: 7.41 MB bitrate: 96 kbps There's only one Lesson #1. We'll never have a first…