TLDR;
This video is a mini-course on Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation, designed to help learners master sounds that are different from other languages. It covers the pronunciation of the alphabet, variations in vowel sounds (especially "e" and "o"), nasal sounds, the consonants "d," "t," "g," "j," "r," "s," "l," and "h," as well as the digraphs "ch," "lh," and "nh." The lesson includes practical exercises and common mistakes.
- Pronunciation of the alphabet and variations in vowel sounds.
- Mastering nasal sounds and consonant pronunciations.
- Understanding digraphs and common pronunciation errors.
Introduction [0:00]
The video introduces a mini-course designed to help learners pronounce sounds in Brazilian Portuguese that are different from those in other languages. The course aims to clarify when to pronounce "de" or "di," "te" or "ti," and how to pronounce the letter "R" in various positions within a word. Viewers are encouraged to access the transcript and exercises by signing up for the free pronunciation mini-course on the website.
Pronunciation of the Alphabet [1:31]
The lesson begins with a pronunciation guide for the Portuguese alphabet, emphasizing the sounds of each letter. It is noted that while the primary pronunciations of the vowels are a, e, i, o, u, there are many variations, with these five vowels potentially having at least 12 different phonemes. The focus then shifts to the variations in pronunciation for the vowels "e" and "o."
Variations of Vowel Sounds: E and O [3:31]
The vowel "e" can be pronounced in four different ways: open (é), closed (ê), nasal (ẽ), and as a weak "i" at the end of words. Examples are provided for each pronunciation, such as "ela," "ele," "dentro," and "ele." Similarly, the vowel "o" has four variations: open (ó), closed (ô), nasal (õ), and as a weak "u" at the end of words. Examples include "avó," "avô," "ontem," and "oito." A tip is given to differentiate between the closed "o" (like "old" in English) and the open "o" (like "orange" in English).
Nasal Sounds in Portuguese [7:56]
The lesson covers the pronunciation of nasal diphthongs, starting with "ão," which sounds approximately like "a u n." Examples include "pão," "ação," and "avião." The letters "am" at the end of words also produce the same sound, as in "amam," "falam," and "estudam," where the lips should not touch when pronouncing the "m." The difference in pronunciation between words ending in "ão" and "am" is highlighted, affecting the stressed syllable and tense. The nasal diphthongs "ãe" (as in "mãe," "pães," "cães") and "õe" (as in "põe," "ações," "aviões") are also explained. Finally, the sounds "om" and "em" at the end of words are discussed, sounding like "o u n" and "e i n," respectively, as in "bom," "som," "bem," "bebem," and "comem."
Pronunciation of Consonants D and T [13:21]
The pronunciation of the consonants "d" and "t" is explored, noting that before the vowels "a," "o," and "u," they sound similar to other languages. However, before "e" and "i," variations occur. Before "e," "d" sounds normal at the beginning or middle of words but like "dj" at the end, as in "dedo," "deitar," "agradecer," and "cidade." Before "i," "d" always sounds like "dj," as in "dia," "médico," and "dividir." Similarly, "t" sounds normal before "a," "o," and "u," but before "e," it sounds like "chi" at the end of words, as in "telefone," "entender," "inteligente," and "gente." Before "i," "t" always sounds like "chi," as in "tia," "dentista," and "Aiti."
Pronunciation of Consonants G and J [16:13]
The pronunciation of "g" and "j" is examined, with "g" sounding like "g" in "go" before "a," "o," and "u," as in "gato," "gostar," and "guru." However, before "e" and "i," "g" sounds like "j," as in "gente," "gelo," "longe," "girafa," and "ginástica." To maintain the "gu" sound, a "u" must be inserted after the "g," as in "guerra," "aluguel," and "guitarra." The consonant "j" always has the same sound ("j"), regardless of the vowel that follows, as in "viajar," "hoje," "gibóia," "jogo," and "junto." The distinction between the sounds of "g" and "j" before "e" and "i" in Portuguese, English, and Spanish is emphasized.
Pronunciation of Consonants R and S [18:05]
The pronunciation of "r" and "s" is detailed, with "r" at the beginning of words pronounced like "h" in English, as in "rato," "Rio," and "Rua." Between two vowels, "r" sounds like the flap "t" in American English "water," as in "caro," "amarelo," and "América." Double "r" between vowels has the same pronunciation as "r" at the beginning of words, as in "carro," "correr," and "sorriso." At the end of words, "r" can be pronounced differently depending on the accent. The consonant "s" at the beginning of words or between a consonant and a vowel is pronounced as "s," as in "sábado," "sol," and "cansado." Between two vowels, "s" sounds like "z," as in "casa," "rosa," and "Brasil." Double "s" between vowels is pronounced as "s," as in "passado," "professor," and "assistir." At the end of words, "s" is typically pronounced as "s," often indicating plural, as in "casas."
Pronunciation of Consonant L, H and Digraphs CH, LH, NH [20:49]
The lesson explains the pronunciation of "l," "h," and the digraphs "ch," "lh," and "nh." The consonant "l" before vowels is pronounced normally, as in "livro," "palavra," and "cabelo." At the end of words or before consonants, "l" is pronounced like "u," as in "Brasil," "fácil," and "alto." The letter "h" is silent in Portuguese, as in "história," "hotel," and "humano." However, when "h" follows "c," "l," or "n," it forms the digraphs "ch," "lh," and "nh." The digraph "ch" is pronounced like "sh" in English, as in "chave," "chuva," and "chapéu." The digraph "lh" is pronounced like "l i," as in "Júlio," "velho," and "filha." The digraph "nh" is pronounced like "n i," as in "amanhã," "vinho," and "Junho."
Pronunciation Exercise and Review [22:53]
The video concludes with a review exercise where viewers pronounce words aloud, followed by the correct pronunciation and explanations. Words like "gerente," "sonho," "hospital," "russo," "cachorro," and "divisão" are used to reinforce the lessons. Common mistakes are highlighted, such as writing "gerente" with a "j" or pronouncing the final "e" as "eh" instead of "i." The importance of practicing and utilizing the free pronunciation mini-course for further improvement is emphasized.
