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Variation in Brazilian Portuguese and its challenges for teaching, by Dr. Paul O’Neill

Category
All
research talks
Date
Date
Wednesday 8 March 2023, 4-5pm
Location
Parkinson SR (2.25)

Variation in Brazilian Portuguese and its challenges for teaching

Dr. Paul O’Neill (University of Sheffield) 

Abstract: 

One of the most deeply entrenched linguistic ideologies of modern times is that languages have stable and focussed grammars, both in the minds of individuals and the community and that, over time, people’s linguistic behaviour tends to become homogenous (Milroy & Milroy, 1991). The term ‘monoglossic cultures’ has been used to refer to societies where this ideology is prevalent (Del Valle, 2000). Such monoglossic cultures underpin how most foreign languages are taught in Europe.   

In this talk, I present evidence from linguistic experiments on Brazilian Portuguese which highlight the extent of idiosyncratic variation present both within and across speakers from the same city. I argue that this variation is not abnormal from a cross-linguistic perspective although it is considered to be atypical in languages of European origin with a strong normative written tradition. I argue that such normal linguistic variation has been able to develop and flourish in Brazil due the Portuguese language’s complex history in this country and also the way in which the Brazilian standard was devised and implemented.     

I also analyse the Brazilian Portuguese translations of dubbing and subtitling in a number of English-language films. All languages show discrepancies between the two different translations, usually lexical in nature and due to restrictions inherent in the different media. However, I show that, in Brazil, the forms used in subtitles have become radically different from those used in the dubbed versions. The former corresponding to the standard whereas the latter more closely reflect spoken usage. My hypothesis is that such a discrepancy not only highlights the importance of the standard in writing/planned discourse in Brazil but also reflects a tolerance towards linguistic variation not present in other countries and is indicative of a particularly non-Western cultural approach to language (heteroglossic vs. monoglossic cultures).   

I conclude by reflecting upon the challenges which such variation presents in pedagogical settings within monoglossic cultures, e.g. teaching Brazilian Portuguese within the UK.   

This event is part of Fusão and is organised and funded by the Camões Centre for Portuguese Language at Leeds. Fusão is a programme of public academic and cultural events coordinated by Portuguese at the University of Leeds, which aims to showcase the culture of the Portuguese-speaking world in Leeds and the North of England. We host a rich and varied programme of annual events including talks, Q&As, film screenings and public lectures which explore the history, society and cultural production of Portuguese-speaking countries. 

For more information, please contact Sofia Martinho