Grammar Lesson 18: Word Order, Buses and Services

Grammar Lesson 18: Word Order, Buses and Services

Author: College of Liberal Arts, University of Texas at Austin November 26, 2007 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 and see for the first time a bicycle attached to the front of a city bus? Sure enough, that would never happen on a bus in Brazil. These are the kinds of observations that North Americans would never make because, well, we think it's normal. It's all a matter of perspective. This lesson talks about those kind of cultural differences, and we do so while going over a lesson about word order. (We know the title doesn't sound all that exciting, but it really is an interesting grammar topic -- if you are into language learning.) Dialog Portuguese Michelle: Eu acho interessante que existam pessoas que colocam suas bicicletas na frente dos ônibus. Valdo: Pois é, aqui nos Estados Unidos tem lugares específicos nos ônibus pra carregar bicicletas. Michelle: Eh, e sobram motivos aqui para as pessoas levarem suas bicicletas na frente dos ônibus e irem sentadas. Valdo: É verdade! Sempre acontecem coisas inesperadas quando se anda de bicicleta, por exemplo: chuva, o sol muito quente, ladeiras. Michelle: De fato, sempre surge algum imprevisto que nos faz preferir o conforto do ar condicionado dos ônibus. Valdo: Puxa, falta só esse serviço para o transporte público no Brasil ficar ótimo. Spanish Michelle: Yo creo que es interesante que existen personas que ponen su bicicleta en frente de los autobuses. Valdo: Sí, aquí en los Estados Unidos hay lugares específicos en los autobuses para llevar bicicletas Michelle: Sí y eso les dá el incentivo a las personas aquí para que lleven su bicicleta en frente del autobús para que se puedan sentar. Valdo: Es verdad. Siempre nos suceden cosas inesperadas al andar en bicicleta, por ejemplo: la lluvia, el sol muy fuerte, escaleras. Michelle: Además, siempre surge algo imprevisto que hace que se prefiera el confort del aire condicionado del autobús. Valdo: Caramba, nos falta ese servicio para el transporte público en Brasil para que sea excelente. English Michelle: I think that it's interesting that there are people who put their bicycles in front of the buses. Valdo: Yes, here in the United State we have specific places in front of the buses to carry bicycles. Michelle: Yes and it give people a reason to carry their bicycles in front of the bus so that they can sit down. Valdo: That's true. Unexpected things always happen when riding a bicycle, for example: rain, hot sun, ladders. Michelle: In fact, some unexpected thing always comes up that makes you prefer the comfort of the air-conditioned bus. Valdo: Gee, that's what we're missing in Brazil to make our public transportation system the best.

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 14: Pronunciation of 'r' sounds,  Good Tippers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:07
asset title: Lesson 14: Pronunciation of 'r' sounds, Good Tippers filename: tafalado_14.mp3 track number: 15/46 time: 13:07 size: 4.61 MB bitrate: 48 kbps North Americans don't always have the greatest image abroad. Howe…
Lesson 10: Pronunciation of Palatalization, Cell Phones and Driving [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:47
asset title: Lesson 10: Pronunciation of Palatalization, Cell Phones and Driving filename: tafalado_10.mp3 track number: 11/46 time: 13:47 size: 9.70 MB bitrate: 96 kbps One of the great differences between Spanish and P…
Lesson 9: Pronunciation of Vowel Raising,  Parking Meters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:59
asset title: Lesson 9: Pronunciation of Vowel Raising, Parking Meters filename: tafalado_09.mp3 track number: 10/46 time: 10:59 size: 7.72 MB bitrate: 96 kbps This lesson takes on some pretty advanced stuff. We're going…
Lesson 7: Pronunciation of Nasal Vowels,  Invitations to Parties [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:47
asset title: Lesson 7: Pronunciation of Nasal Vowels, Invitations to Parties filename: tafalado_07.mp3 track number: 8/46 time: 12:47 size: 8.99 MB bitrate: 96 kbps Often people hear, 'I think Portuguese sounds a lot lik…
Lesson 6: Pronunciation of Oral Diphthongs, Going to the Pharmacy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:22
asset title: Lesson 6: Pronunciation of Oral Diphthongs, Going to the Pharmacy filename: tafalado_06.mp3 track number: 7/46 time: 12:22 size: 8.70 MB bitrate: 96 kbps In this lesson Valdo and Michelle can't figure out wh…