Lesson 5: Stressed and Unstressed /a/, Self-Checkout at the Supermarket

Lesson 5: Stressed and Unstressed /a/, Self-Checkout at the Supermarket

Author: College of Liberal Arts, University of Texas at Austin November 13, 2006 Duration: 9:30
asset title: Lesson 5: Stressed and Unstressed /a/, Self-Checkout at the Supermarket filename: tafalado_05.mp3 track number: 5/46 time: 9:30 size: 6.52 MB bitrate: 96 kbps There is a tendency for almost every vowel in unstressed syllables in English to turn into what is called a 'schwa'. It is the sound like 'uh'. Listen, for example the 'e' in 'delivery'. When learning Spanish, one of the great challenges is to stop saying 'uh.' 'It's 'nada' not 'naduh'! However, in Portuguese Brazilians also pronounce unstressed /a/ as a schwa. You see, all this time you thought you had bad Spanish and you really just have good Portuguese. As to the cultural situation in this lesson, both Michelle and Valdo had to get used to the self-checkout lines at the supermarket. Dialog Portuguese Valdo: Ah, essa fila tá enorme! Michelle: É verdade. Vamos pagar no auto-atendimento. Valdo: Onde fica a máquina? Michelle: Está lá na entrada. Valdo: Você sabe como se usa essa coisa aqui? Michelle: Claro, é fácil. É só passar o cartão. Spanish Valdo: Esta fila está muy larga. Michelle: Es verdad. Vamos a pagar en el auto-servicio Valdo: ¿Dónde queda la máquina? Michelle: Está allá en la entrada. Valdo: ¿Sabes cómo se usa esa cossa aquí? Michelle: Claro, es fácil. Es sólo pasar la tarjeta. English Valdo: This line is really long. Michelle: That's right. Let's pay at the self-service machine. Valdo: Where is the machine? Michelle: Over there by the entrance. Valdo: Do you know how to use this thing here? Michelle: Of course, it's easy. Just insert your card.

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…