Tá Falado: Brazilian Portuguese Pronunciation for Speakers of Spanish

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Latest Episodes:

Lesson 1: Pronunciation of /i/, Getting the Check at a Restaurant Nov 12, 2006

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 again. Today we introduce listeners to the team: Orlando, Valdo, Michelle, and JosÃ© Luis. Pronunciation wise, we'll look at when Brazilians say words with the sound [i] and culturally Michelle and Valdo talk about what it was like to get the bill in restaurants in the United States. Tune in, join our discussion, download the lesson notes, and become part of Brazilpod.
Dialog
Portuguese
Valdo: Que bife gostoso. Acho que vou pedir mais.
Michelle: Mas ele jÃ¡ trouxe a conta. E agora?
Valdo: Eh, vocÃª me disse que aqui era assim. Acho isso uma falta de educaÃ§Ã£o.
Michelle: Ã o sistema deles, nÃ©? Mas se vocÃª continua com fome, pede.
Valdo: Ah, vou pedir um monte entÃ£o.
Michelle: Ã isso aÃ.
Spanish
Valdo: QuÃ© biftec sabroso. Creo que voy a pedir mÃ¡s.
Michelle: Pero Ã©l ya trajo la cuenta. Â¿Y ahora?
Valdo: Me dijiste que aquÃ era asÃ. Creo que esto es una falta de educaciÃ³n.
Michelle: Es el sistema de ellos, Â¿verdad? Pero si tÃº sigues con hambre, pÃda-lo.
Valdo: Ah, voy a pedir un montÃ³n, entonces.
Michelle: Eso es.
English
Valdo: What a tasty steak. I think I'll ask for more.
Michelle: But he already brought the check. Now what?
Valdo: Yea, you told me that this is what they do here. I think that it's really rude.
Michelle: That's the way they do things here, right? But if you're still hungry, go ahead and ask.
Valdo: OK, I'm going to ask for a whole bunch then.
Michelle: You go for it.

Lesson 2: Pronunciation of /u/, Slamming the Car Door Nov 12, 2006

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 gave us hope to move on. In this lesson we listen for the sound /u/ in Portuguese. The tricky thing is that many times it is spelled with an 'o.' Culturally, Valdo and Michelle talk to us about not slamming car doors. It's really true, Brazilians are amazed at how hard Americans slam car doors!
Dialog
Portuguese
Valdo: Puxa vida. VocÃª nÃ£o tem geladeira em casa, nÃ£o? Seja mais educada.
Michelle: Sinto muito eu ter batido a porta do carro.
Valdo: VocÃª sabe que no Brasil a gente nÃ£o faz isso.
Michelle: Eu sei. Esqueci. Prometo ficar mais atenta.
Valdo: Ãtimo. Espero que sim.
Michelle: Isso Ã© muito chato. VocÃª quer sempre tudo certinho.
Spanish
Valdo: Â¡QuÃ© Barbaridad! Â¿No tienes nevera en casa? Sea mÃ¡s educada.
Michelle: Lo siento mucho haber tirado la puerta del coche.
Valdo: Sabes que en Brasil no hacemos eso.
Michelle: Lo sÃ©. Se me olvidÃ³. Te prometo estar mÃ¡s atenta.
Valdo: Excelente. Espero que sÃ.
Michelle: Esto es muy aburrido. Siempre quieres todo perfecto.
English
Valdo: Gee whiz. Don't you have a fridge at home? Don't be so rude.
Michelle: Sorry to have slammed the car door.
Valdo: You know that in Brazil we don't do that.
Michelle: I know. I forgot. I promise to be more careful.
Valdo: Great. I hope so.
Michelle: What a drag. You always want everything so perfect.

Lesson 3: Pronunciation of /Ã©/ and /Ãª/, Public Health and Health Insurance Nov 12, 2006

asset title: Lesson 3: Pronunciation of /Ã©/ and /Ãª/, Public Health and Health Insurance
filename: tafalado_03.mp3
track number: 3/46
time: 8:45
size: 6.15 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

Welcome to one of the great challenges of Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation. Sometimes 'e' sounds similar to the English sound in words like 'get, met, set.' Other times Brazilian 'e' sounds like the Spanish 'e' in words like 'bebe, vive, lleve.' Valdo and Michelle help us out. Culturally they also help us understand how different it is for Brazilians to have to worry about personal health insurance.
Dialog
Portuguese
Valdo: VocÃª jÃ¡ quebrou o pÃ©?
Michelle: Quebrei a perna. E vocÃª nÃ£o sabe como pesou no bolso.
Valdo: Por quÃª?
Michelle: Porque paguei uma nota pelo gesso. AtÃ© mesmo com seguro-saÃºde o preÃ§o Ã© elevado.
Valdo: Teve que engessar, Ã©?
Michelle: O mÃ©dico achou que era melhor. DÃª uma olhada aqui e veja vocÃª mesmo como ficou.
Spanish
Valdo: Â¿Usted se ha quebrado el piÃ©?
Michelle: Me quebrÃ© la pierna. Y usted no sabe como pesÃ³ en mi bolsillo.
Valdo: Â¿Por quÃ©?
Michelle: Porque paguÃ© mucha plata por el yeso. AsÃ mismo con el seguro mÃ©dico, el precio es elevado.
Valdo: Tuviste que enyesarlo, Â¿verdad?
Michelle: El mÃ©dico pensÃ³ que era mejor. DÃ© una mirada aquÃ y vea usted mismo como quedÃ³.
English
Valdo: Have you ever had a broken foot?
Michelle: I broke my leg. And you can't imagine how hard it hit my wallet.
Valdo: Why?
Michelle: Because I paid a lot for my cast. Even with insurance the price was high.
Valdo: So you had to get a cast?
Michelle: The doctor thought it would be better. Check it out yourself and see how it ended up.

Lesson 4: Pronunciation of Open /Ã³/ and Closed /Ã´/, Getting on a City Bus Nov 12, 2006

asset title: Lesson 4: Pronunciation of Open /Ã³/ and Closed /Ã´/, Getting on a City Bus
filename: tafalado_04.mp3
track number: 4/46
time: 10:21
size: 7.28 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

Spanish speakers learn to sing 'a, e, i, o, u, el burro sabe mÃ¡s que tÃº' and it's a way to show that there are only 5 vowel sounds in Spanish. Portuguese, however, complicates things with what are called 'open' and 'closed' vowel sounds. In this lesson we learn about open /Ã³/ and closed /Ã´/. Culturally Michelle and Valdo talk about how different it is to ride a bus in the United States. All we can say is that at least they don't have to cram as tightly into limited space and then wonder the whole time how they are going to get off the bus!
Dialog
Portuguese
Valdo: LÃ¡ vem o nosso Ã´nibus! Vamos correr!
Michelle: Corre, sobe logo!
Valdo: CadÃª o cobrador? Como podemos pagar?
Michelle: Aqui sÃ³ se pode pagar passando um cartÃ£o ou colocando dinheiro na mÃ¡quina.
Valdo: Que mÃ¡quina?
Michelle: Aquela do lado do motorista.
Spanish
Valdo: AhÃ viene nuestro autobÃºs. Vamos a correr
Michelle: Corre, sÃºbete luego.
Valdo: Â¿DÃ³nde estÃ¡ el colector? Â¿Como podemos pagar?
Michelle: AquÃ sÃ³lo se puede pagar pasando una tarjeta o poniendo dinero en la mÃ¡quina.
Valdo: Â¿QuÃ© mÃ¡quina?
Michelle: Aquella al lado del conductor.
English
Valdo: Here comes our bus. Let's run.
Michelle: Run, let's get on up.
Valdo: Where's the fare collector? How do you pay?
Michelle: Here you just pay by inserting your card or by putting the bills or coins in the machine.
Valdo: What machine?
Michelle: That one next to the bus driver.

Lesson 5: Stressed and Unstressed /a/, Self-Checkout at the Supermarket Nov 12, 2006

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 tÃ¡ enorme!
Michelle: Ã verdade. Vamos pagar no auto-atendimento.
Valdo: Onde fica a mÃ¡quina?
Michelle: EstÃ¡ lÃ¡ na entrada.
Valdo: VocÃª sabe como se usa essa coisa aqui?
Michelle: Claro, Ã© fÃ¡cil. Ã sÃ³ passar o cartÃ£o.
Spanish
Valdo: Esta fila estÃ¡ muy larga.
Michelle: Es verdad. Vamos a pagar en el auto-servicio
Valdo: Â¿DÃ³nde queda la mÃ¡quina?
Michelle: EstÃ¡ allÃ¡ en la entrada.
Valdo: Â¿Sabes cÃ³mo se usa esa cossa aquÃ?
Michelle: Claro, es fÃ¡cil. Es sÃ³lo 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.

Supplementary Lesson 1: English, Spanish, and Portuguese Vowel Sounds Nov 12, 2006

asset title: Supplementary Lesson 1: English, Spanish, and Portuguese Vowel Sounds
filename: tafalado_suppl_01.mp3
track number: 6/46
time: 9:25
size: 6.63 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

Unlike the regular podcast lessons, we've included some other supplementary lessons. Think of these as a sort of Appendix to the regular lessons. In this first supplementary lesson we provide an audio sample of all of the vowel sounds in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. We're sure it will help listeners get a feel for each of the sounds.

Lesson 6: Pronunciation of Oral Diphthongs, Going to the Pharmacy Nov 27, 2006

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 why it is so difficult to get medicine from a pharmacy in the United States. This whole idea of going to a doctor first to get a prescription seems to complicate things a lot. It took them a while to get used to it, but it doesn't mean that they have to like it. As to pronunciation, today we look at diphthongs. It's a fancy word, to be sure, but it basically means that we are talking about Portuguese vowel sounds that come one right after another.
Dialog
Portuguese
Michelle: Oi Valdo, como vai?
Valdo: Vou bem. JÃ¡ estÃ¡ gastando dinheiro?
Michelle: SÃ³ um pouquinho. O salÃ¡rio jÃ¡ Ã© tÃ£o baixo, nÃ©? Eu precisava comprar uma caixa de anticoncepcional.
Valdo: Mas eu soube que a lei aqui diz que a maioria dos remÃ©dios sÃ³ com reita.
Michelle: Meu pai do cÃ©u! Eu nÃ£o tenho receita.
Valdo: EntÃ£o nada feito. Bom, se cuida. A gente se vÃª depois. Beijo, tchau!
Spanish
Michelle: Hola Valdo, Â¿CÃ³mo te va?
Valdo: Me va bien. Â¿Ya estÃ¡s gastando dinero?
Michelle: Solo un poquito. El sueldo ya es tan bajo, Â¿verdad? Yo necesitaba comprar una caja de anticonceptivos.
Valdo: Pero supe que la ley aquÃ dice que la mayorÃa de las medicinas solo sÃ³lo con receta.
Michelle: Â¡Mi padre del cielo! No tengo receta.
Valdo: Entonces no pasa nada. Bueno, cuÃdate. Nos vemos despuÃ©s. Beso, ciao.
English
Michelle: Hi Valdo, how are you doing?
Valdo: I'm OK. Are you already spending a lot of money?
Michelle: Just a little bit. My salary is really low, right? I needed to buy a box of contraceptives.
Valdo: But I hear that the law says that most medicines need to have a prescription.
Michelle: Oh my! I don't have a prescription.
Valdo: So nothing doing. OK, take care. We'll see you later. Kisses, good bye!

Lesson 7: Pronunciation of Nasal Vowels, Invitations to Parties Dec 18, 2006

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 like French and Spanish combined.' Maybe those that say this are hearing the nasalized vowels in Portuguese, and there are a lot of them. Either way, this lesson introduces the nasalized vowels. As to the cultural element, Michelle and Valdo talk about how surprised they were to see that sometimes invitations to parties in the United States not only tell you when the party starts, but also when the party ends. How bizarre is that?
Dialog
Portuguese
Michelle: Olha aqui o convite de casamento que a minha irmÃ£ me enviou hoje de manhÃ£.
Valdo: Mas ela nÃ£o Ã© muito tua fÃ£, nÃ©? Mandou o convite com horÃ¡rio pra comeÃ§ar e terminar? Sem noÃ§Ã£o!
Michelle: Sim, quando eu vim pra cÃ¡ tambÃ©m estranhei.
Valdo: Bom, no Brasil isso nÃ£o funcionaria de jeito nenhum.
Michelle: Concordo contigo.
Valdo: Tudo bem ter um horÃ¡rio pra comeÃ§ar a festa, mas pra terminar nunca.
Spanish
Michelle: Mira aquÃ la invitaciÃ³n de la boda que mi hermana me enviÃ³ hoy por la maÃ±ana.
Valdo: Pero ella no es fanÃ¡tica tuya, Â¿verdad? Â¿MandÃ³ la invitaciÃ³n con horario para comenzar y terminar? Â¡DifÃcil de creer!
Michelle: SÃ, cuando vine aquÃ tambiÃ©n pensÃ© que era raro.
Valdo: Bueno, en Brasil eso no funcionarÃa de ninguna manera.
Michelle: De acuerdo contigo.
Valdo: Todo bien en tener un horario para comenzar la fiesta, pero para terminar nunca.
English
Michelle: Look at this wedding invitation that my sister sent to me this morning.
Valdo: She must not be much of a fan of yours, right? She sent the invitation with the beginning and an ending time? Hard to believe!
Michelle: Yeah, when I first came here I thought it was weird too.
Valdo: Well, in Brazil this would never work at all.
Michelle: I agree with you.
Valdo: No problem with a starting time for a party, but never for an ending time.

Lesson 8: Pronunciation of Nasal Diphthongs, Buying Fruits and Vegetables Dec 18, 2006

asset title: Lesson 8: Pronunciation of Nasal Diphthongs, Buying Fruits and Vegetables
filename: tafalado_08.mp3
track number: 9/46
time: 13:08
size: 9.24 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

Somehow it always seems more difficult to buy food in other countries. We just get used to how everything is done in our home country: park in front of the supermarket, grab the cart, choose your fruits and vegetables, get your packaged meat, find a loaf of bread, pick up a carton of milk. Easy, right? Wrong. Little nuances in how shopping is different can make things more difficult. These shopping challenges are even greater than learning the pronunciation of nasal diphthongs, which is the language topic of this lesson. We're sure that Valdo and Michelle with help us with both.
Dialog
Portuguese
Valdo: Em que seÃ§Ã£o estÃ£o as frutas e verduras?
Michelle: Bem atrÃ¡s daquele balcÃ£o.
Valdo: EntÃ£o pÃµe aqui no carrinho uns pÃ£es, uns melÃµes, e um montÃ£o de limÃ£o.
Michelle: Tem muita gente na fila. Vamos logo pro caixa.
Valdo: Mas tem uma condiÃ§Ã£o. Aqui quem pesa sÃ£o os clientes.
Michelle: Ah, entÃ£o me dÃ¡ uma mÃ£o aqui senÃ£o as nossas mÃ£es vÃ£o nos matar!
Spanish
Valdo: Â¿En que secciÃ³n estÃ¡n las frutas y verduras?
Michelle: EstÃ¡n bien detrÃ¡s del balcÃ³n.
Valdo: Entonces, pon aquÃ en el carrito unos panes, unos melones, y una gran cantidad de limones.
Michelle: Hay mucha gente en la fila, vamos luego a la caja.
Valdo: Mas hay una condiciÃ³n. AquÃ quienes pesan son los clientes.
Michelle: Ah, entonces dame una manita aquÃ sino nuestras madres nos van a matar.
English
Valdo: What section do you find the fruits and vegtables in?
Michelle: OK, put here in my cart some bread, mellons, and a whole bunch of lemons.
Valdo: There are a lot of people in line. Let's head to the check out.
Michelle: There are a lot of people in line. Let's head to the check out.
Valdo: But there is one more thing. Here it's the customers who have to weigh things.
Michelle: OK, give me a hand here or else our mom's will kill us!

Lesson 9: Pronunciation of Vowel Raising, Parking Meters Dec 18, 2006

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 to talk about 'vowel raising.' No, it really doesn't have anything to do with the Future Farmers of America or with the building of a barn. But, do come on out for some good old Texas ... that is Brazilian 'vowel raisin'.' And don't worry about where to park your pick-up because Valdo and Michelle will also talk to you about parking cars in the U.S. and Brazil. I know, a corny intro, but we just couldn't resist!
Dialog
Portuguese
Valdo: Onde podemos estacionar o carro? JÃ¡ estou morrendo de fome.
Michelle: Menino, como Ã© complicado estacionar aqui nos Estados Unidos, nÃ©?
Valdo: JÃ¡ sei. Vamos parar Ã esquerda daquele restaurante pequeno. VocÃª tem moedas?
Michelle: Tenho sim. Quanto vocÃª precisa?
Valdo: Quatro moedinhas.
Michelle: Agora sÃ³ espero que a comida e a bebida sejam boas.
Spanish
Valdo: Â¿DÃ³nde podemos estacionar el carro? Ya estoy muriendo de hambre.
Michelle: NiÃ±o, CÃ³mo es complicado estacionar aquÃ en los Estados Unidos, Â¿no?
Valdo: Ya lo sÃ©. Vamos a la izquierda de aquel restaurante pequeÃ±o? Â¿Tiene usted las monedas?
Michelle: SÃ, las tengo, Â¿CuÃ¡nto necesita usted?
Valdo: Cuatro moneditas.
Michelle: Ahora solo espero que la comida y la bebida sean buenas.
English
Valdo: Where can we park the car? I'm dieing of hunger.
Michelle: Man it is hard to park here in the United State, you know?
Valdo: I know. Let's park to the left of that little restaurant. Do you have change?
Michelle: I do. How much do you need?
Valdo: Four little coins.
Michelle: Now let's just hope that the food and drinks are good.

Lesson 10: Pronunciation of Palatalization, Cell Phones and Driving Jan 04, 2007

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 Portuguese is seen in how Brazilians pronounce words that are spelled with 'ti,' which sounds more like 'chee' and how words spelled with 'di' sound more like 'jee.' The fancy word for this is palatalization. But look out, not all Brazilian dialects do it. So, in this lesson we listen to Valdo and Michelle, who both do it. In the next lesson we'll repeat the same dialog to hear what these words sound like without palatalization. As to the culture part of this lesson, Valdo and Michelle talk about the use of cellular phones while driving.
Dialog
Portuguese
Valdo: Um dia desses minha tia, que jÃ¡ Ã© de idade, veio me visitar aqui em Austin.
Michelle: Ela conversou contigo sobre a cidade? O que ela disse?
Valdo: Ela gostou, mas desde que chegou decidiu falar mal de quem usa celular no trÃ¢nsito.
Michelle: NÃ£o acredito. Por que?
Valdo: Ã que ela perdeu os dentes num tÃpico acidente de carro em que o motorista estava usando o celular enquanto dirigia.
Michelle: Que coisa triste! Eh, diante disso Ã© atÃ© bom que no Brasil a gente seja proibido de usar o celular no volante. VocÃª pode receber aquela multa!
Spanish
Valdo: Un dÃa de estos mi tÃa, que ya es de edad, vino a visitarme aquÃ en Austin.
Michelle: Â¿Ella conversÃ³ contigo sobre la ciudad? Â¿QuÃ© dijo ella?
Valdo: A ella le gustÃ³, pero desde que llegÃ³ decidiÃ³ hablar mal de los que usan el celular en el trÃ¡fico.
Michelle: No lo creo. Â¿Por quÃ©?
Valdo: Es que ella perdiÃ³ los dientes en un tÃpico accidente de carro en que el conductor estaba usando el celular mientras conducÃa.
Michelle: QuÃ© cosa triste! A causa de esto, es bueno que en Brasil nosotros seamos prohibidos usar el celular en el volante. Usted puede recibir una multa!
English
Valdo: A few days ago my aunt, who is getting older, came to visit me here in Austin.
Michelle: Did she talk to you about the city? What did she say?
Valdo: She liked it, but ever since she arrived she has decided to talk bad about those who use their cell phone while driving.
Michelle: I can't believe that. Why?
Valdo: She lost her teeth in a typical car accident where the driver was using a cell phone while driving.
Michelle: How sad! Given that it's a good thing that in Brazil it's against the law to use a cell phone while driving. You could get a ticket!

Lesson 11: Pronunciation of Palatalization (alt), Cell Phones and Driving Jan 04, 2007

asset title: Lesson 11: Pronunciation of Palatalization (alt), Cell Phones and Driving
filename: tafalado_11.mp3
track number: 12/46
time: 8:16
size: 5.81 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

In the previous lesson we learned all about palatalization, when words spelled with 'ti' sound like 'chee' and words with 'di' sound like 'jee.' This is pretty much true for people in live in the central regions of Brazil. However, in the far north and in the far south of Brazil, it is much less common. Today we introduce everyone to Alfredo Barros who is from Teresinha, Pernambuco. We'll all get a chance to hear his dialect, from a region where people don't have as much palatalization. It makes for a great comparison with the way that Valdo and Michelle talk.
Dialog
Portuguese
Valdo: Um dia desses minha tia, que jÃ¡ Ã© de idade, veio me visitar aqui em Austin.
Michelle: Ela conversou contigo sobre a cidade? O que ela disse?
Valdo: Ela gostou, mas desde que chegou decidiu falar mal de quem usa celular no trÃ¢nsito.
Michelle: NÃ£o acredito. Por que?
Valdo: Ã que ela perdeu os dentes num tÃpico acidente de carro em que o motorista estava usando o celular enquanto dirigia.
Michelle: Que coisa triste! Eh, diante disso Ã© atÃ© bom que no Brasil a gente seja proibido de usar o celular no volante. VocÃª pode receber aquela multa!
Spanish
Valdo: Un dÃa de estos mi tÃa, que ya es de edad, vino a visitarme aquÃ en Austin.
Michelle: Â¿Ella conversÃ³ contigo sobre la ciudad? Â¿QuÃ© dijo ella?
Valdo: A ella le gustÃ³, pero desde que llegÃ³ decidiÃ³ hablar mal de los que usan el celular en el trÃ¡fico.
Michelle: No lo creo. Â¿Por quÃ©?
Valdo: Es que ella perdiÃ³ los dientes en un tÃpico accidente de carro en que el conductor estaba usando el celular mientras conducÃa.
Michelle: QuÃ© cosa triste! A causa de esto, es bueno que en Brasil nosotros seamos prohibidos usar el celular en el volante. Usted puede recibir una multa!
English
Valdo: A few days ago my aunt, who is getting older, came to visit me here in Austin.
Michelle: Did she talk to you about the city? What did she say?
Valdo: She liked it, but ever since she arrived she has decided to talk bad about those who use their cell phone while driving.
Michelle: I can't believe that. Why?
Valdo: She lost her teeth in a typical car accident where the driver was using a cell phone while driving.
Michelle: How sad! Given that it's a good thing that in Brazil it's against the law to use a cell phone while driving. You could get a ticket!

Lesson 12: Pronunciation of 's' and 'z' Sounds, Eating at Movie Theaters Jan 04, 2007

asset title: Lesson 12: Pronunciation of 's' and 'z' Sounds, Eating at Movie Theaters
filename: tafalado_12.mp3
track number: 13/46
time: 15:09
size: 10.66 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

Our podcast comes to you from Austin, Texas. Valdo and Michelle have noticed that here in Austin there are movie theaters that serve full meals, just like in regular restaurants. What a great idea, and that is our cultural observation for this lesson. As to the sounds of Portuguese and Spanish, we take on a big one today. Valdo and Michelle help us to understand when Portuguese words that are written with an 's' sound like an 's' and when they sound like a 'z.' Get ready for their five rules! Spanish speaking listeners, get ready to say more 'z' sounds.
Dialog
Portuguese
Valdo: Acho que vou te visitar Ã noite. NÃ£o quero ficar em casa.
Michelle:Eu estou com dois ingressos para o cinema que tenho que usar antes que o prazo esgote.
Valdo: Sabe que seria massa! Saiu um filme que eu queria mesmo ver desde a semana passada.
Michelle: Se vocÃª quiser, a sessÃ£o de hoje comeÃ§a Ã s seis. E podemos comer alguma coisa lÃ¡.
Valdo: Ah, Ã© mesmo. Dentro de alguns cinemas aqui eles servem comida. Gostoso, nÃ©?
Michelle: EntÃ£o tÃ¡. A gente come massa com espinafre e toma umas bebidas enquanto assiste o filme.
Spanish
Valdo: Creo que voy a visitarte esta noche. No quiero quedarme en casa.
Michelle: Tengo dos boletos para el cine que tengo que usar antes de que se venzan.
Valdo: Sabes que serÃa chÃ©vere! SalÃo una pelÃcula que querÃa ver desde la semana pasada.
Michelle: Si tÃº quieres, la funciÃ³n de hoy comienza a las seis y podemos comer alguna cosa ahÃ.
Valdo: Ah, es cierto. Dentro de algunos cines aquÃ se sirve comida. QuÃ© chÃ©vere, Â¿no?
Michelle: EstÃ¡ bien. Nosotros comemos pasta con espinacas y tomamos unas bebidas mientras miramos la pelÃcula.
English
Valdo: I think I'll come visit you tonight. I don't want to stay at home.
Michelle: I've got two tickets to the movies that I have to use up before they expire.
Valdo: You know what would be cool? There's a movie that just came out that I've wanted to see for a week now.
Michelle: If you'd like, there's a movie that starts at six o'clock. And we can eat something there.
Valdo: That's right. In some of the theaters they serve food. That's cool, right?
Michelle: OK then. We'll have pasta with spinach and we'll have a few drinks while watching the movie.

Lesson 13: Pronunciation of 's' and 'z' Sounds, Eating At Movie Theaters (alt) Feb 08, 2007

asset title: Lesson 13: Pronunciation of 's' and 'z' Sounds, Eating At Movie Theaters (alt)
filename: tafalado_13.mp3
track number: 14/46
time: 11:11
size: 3.93 MB
bitrate: 48 kbps

This podcast lesson is a repeat of Lesson #12 on the sounds of 's' and 'z.' However, in this lesson we have a special guest. Vivian Flanzer is from Rio de Janeiro. And not just Rio, from Copacabana! In this lesson we get to compare Vivian's pronunciation to that of Valdo and Michelle. Get ready for some wild soundings for 's' and 'z.'
Dialog
Portuguese
Valdo: Acho que vou te visitar Ã noite. NÃ£o quero ficar em casa.
Michelle:Eu estou com dois ingressos para o cinema que tenho que usar antes que o prazo esgote.
Valdo: Sabe que seria massa! Saiu um filme que eu queria mesmo ver desde a semana passada.
Michelle: Se vocÃª quiser, a sessÃ£o de hoje comeÃ§a Ã s seis. E podemos comer alguma coisa lÃ¡.
Valdo: Ah, Ã© mesmo. Dentro de alguns cinemas aqui eles servem comida. Gostoso, nÃ©?
Michelle: EntÃ£o tÃ¡. A gente come massa com espinafre e toma umas bebidas enquanto assiste o filme.
Spanish
Valdo: Creo que voy a visitarte esta noche. No quiero quedarme en casa.
Michelle: Tengo dos boletos para el cine que tengo que usar antes de que se venzan.
Valdo: Sabes que serÃa chÃ©vere! SalÃo una pelÃcula que querÃa ver desde la semana pasada.
Michelle: Si tÃº quieres, la funciÃ³n de hoy comienza a las seis y podemos comer alguna cosa ahÃ.
Valdo: Ah, es cierto. Dentro de algunos cines aquÃ se sirve comida. QuÃ© chÃ©vere, Â¿no?
Michelle: EstÃ¡ bien. Nosotros comemos pasta con espinacas y tomamos unas bebidas mientras miramos la pelÃcula.
English
Valdo: I think I'll come visit you tonight. I don't want to stay at home.
Michelle: I've got two tickets to the movies that I have to use up before they expire.
Valdo: You know what would be cool? There's a movie that just came out that I've wanted to see for a week now.
Michelle: If you'd like, there's a movie that starts at six o'clock. And we can eat something there.
Valdo: That's right. In some of the theaters they serve food. That's cool, right?
Michelle: OK then. We'll have pasta with spinach and we'll have a few drinks while watching the movie.

Lesson 14: Pronunciation of 'r' sounds, Good Tippers Feb 08, 2007

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. However, at least we are known as good tippers. Michelle and Valdo tell about how they have to leave more tips than they do in Brazil, and it has been a tough transition. As to pronunciation, Valdo controlled himself to not call Michelle a 'caipira' (hillbilly), but her 'r' sounds are truly fantastic.
Dialog
Portuguese
Michelle: Essa carne e esse arroz de forno estÃ£o de matar!
Valdo: Concordo. Que pena que Ã© tÃ£o caro! Estou tÃ£o duro que nÃ£o dÃ¡ nem pra te chamar pra beber uma cerveja.
Michelle: E o pior Ã© que ainda tem a gorjeta do garÃ§om.
Valdo: Aqui se dÃ¡ gorjeta pra tudo. No Brasil, os dez por cento jÃ¡ vem embutido na conta e sÃ³ nos restaurantes.
Michelle: Eh, mas vamos esquecer isso, vamos dividir a conta de qualquer jeito.
Valdo: Perfeito. EntÃ£o vamos fechar nosso jantar com chave de ouro. GarÃ§om, quatro cervejas por favor!
Spanish
Michelle: Esa carne y ese arroz al horno estÃ¡n de rechupete.
Valdo: De acuerdo. Que pena que sea tan caro. Estoy sin dinero y no tengo ni lo suficiente para invitarte a beber una cerveza.
Michelle: Y lo peor es que todavÃa hace falta la propina para el mesero.
Valdo: AquÃ se da propina para todo. En Brasil el diez porciento ya estÃ¡ incluÃdo en la cuenta, y eso sÃ³lo en los restaurantes.
Michelle: SÃ, pero olvidemos todo eso, vamos a dividir la cuenta de toda manera.
Valdo: Perfecto. Entonces vamos a cerrar esta comida con broche de oro. SeÃ±or, cuatro cervezas por favor!
English
Michelle: This meat and this oven-backed rice are to die for.
Valdo: I agree. Too bad it is so expensive. I'm so broke I can't even call you up to go have a beer.
Michelle: Even worse, we still have the tip for the waiter.
Valdo: You've got to tip for everything here. In Brazil ten percent is already included in the bill, at only at restaurants.
Michelle: Don't worry about it... let's split the check anyway.
Valdo: Perfect. So, let's finish off this meal in style. Waiter, four beers please!

Lesson 15: Pronunciation of 'r' sounds (alt), Good Tippers Feb 08, 2007

asset title: Lesson 15: Pronunciation of 'r' sounds (alt), Good Tippers
filename: tafalado_15.mp3
track number: 16/46
time: 10:12
size: 3.59 MB
bitrate: 48 kbps

Our carioca is back! Once again Vivian Flanzer joins Michelle and Valdo to help us compare how people from Rio de Janeiro pronounce words the 'r' sounds. So now we can compare Bahia, Rio de Janeiro, and SÃ£o Paulo. This lesson repeats the dialog from Lesson #14, but is sure doesn't sound the same when Vivian is talking.
Dialog
Portuguese
Michelle: Essa carne e esse arroz de forno estÃ£o de matar!
Valdo: Concordo. Que pena que Ã© tÃ£o caro! Estou tÃ£o duro que nÃ£o dÃ¡ nem pra te chamar pra beber uma cerveja.
Michelle: E o pior Ã© que ainda tem a gorjeta do garÃ§om.
Valdo: Aqui se dÃ¡ gorjeta pra tudo. No Brasil, os dez por cento jÃ¡ vem embutido na conta e sÃ³ nos restaurantes.
Michelle: Eh, mas vamos esquecer isso, vamos dividir a conta de qualquer jeito.
Valdo: Perfeito. EntÃ£o vamos fechar nosso jantar com chave de ouro. GarÃ§om, quatro cervejas por favor!
Spanish
Michelle: Esa carne y ese arroz al horno estÃ¡n de rechupete.
Valdo: De acuerdo. Que pena que sea tan caro. Estoy sin dinero y no tengo ni lo suficiente para invitarte a beber una cerveza.
Michelle: Y lo peor es que todavÃa hace falta la propina para el mesero.
Valdo: AquÃ se da propina para todo. En Brasil el diez porciento ya estÃ¡ incluÃdo en la cuenta, y eso sÃ³lo en los restaurantes.
Michelle: SÃ, pero olvidemos todo eso, vamos a dividir la cuenta de toda manera.
Valdo: Perfecto. Entonces vamos a cerrar esta comida con broche de oro. SeÃ±or, cuatro cervezas por favor!
English
Michelle: This meat and this oven-backed rice are to die for.
Valdo: I agree. Too bad it is so expensive. I'm so broke I can't even call you up to go have a beer.
Michelle: Even worse, we still have the tip for the waiter.
Valdo: You've got to tip for everything here. In Brazil ten percent is already included in the bill, at only at restaurants.
Michelle: Don't worry about it... let's split the check anyway.
Valdo: Perfect. So, let's finish off this meal in style. Waiter, four beers please!

Lesson 16: Pronunciation of 'b', 'd', and 'g', Adding Tax to Purchased Items Feb 14, 2007

asset title: Lesson 16: Pronunciation of 'b', 'd', and 'g', Adding Tax to Purchased Items
filename: tafalado_16.mp3
track number: 17/46
time: 10:28
size: 3.68 MB
bitrate: 48 kbps

For once, a lesson that is easy for native speakers of English, but tough for the native speakers of Spanish. We're talking about how to pronounce words with 'b', 'd', and 'g.' Just wait to hear Jose Luis say the word 'abogado'! As to the cultural topic, Valdo and Michelle are trying to get used to adding tax to the price of the items that they buy.
Dialog
Portuguese
Michelle: Preciso comprar algumas coisas lÃ¡ pra casa. Tudo o que eu comprei na semana passada jÃ¡ acabou.
Valdo: VocÃª nÃ£o tem mais nada? Eu nÃ£o agÃ¼ento mais toda semana ter que te levar cada vez para um lugar diferente.
Michelle: Deixa de bobagem e me ajuda antes que minha comida e minha Ã¡gua acabem!
Valdo: Tudo bem. Eu tambÃ©m preciso comprar umas goiabas e um abacate.
Todo bien. Yo tambiÃ©n necesito comprar unas guayabas y un aguacate.
Michelle: Nossa, mas essa loja estÃ¡ lotada! Vamos logo pegar uma escova de cabelo pra bebÃª. NÃ£o posso abusar porque eu trouxe o dinheiro contado.
Valdo: NÃ£o abuse mesmo, pois vocÃª sabe que aqui os preÃ§os nÃ£o vÃªm com as taxas embutidas!
Spanish
Michelle: Necesito comprar algunas cosas para la casa. Todo lo que comprÃ© la semana pasada se acabÃ³.
Valdo: No tienes nada mÃ¡s? No aguanto mÃ¡s, cada semana tengo que llevarte siempre a un lugar diferente.
Michelle: DÃ©jate de bobadas y ayÃºdame antes que la comida y el Ã¡gua se nos acaben.
Valdo: Todo bien. Yo tambiÃ©n necesito comprar unas guayabas y un aguacate.
Michelle: Ay, esta tienda estÃ¡ llena. Vamos a comprar luego un cepillo para el cabello del bebÃ©. Hay que tener cuidado porque traje solo efectivo.
Valdo: Con cuidado, pues tÃº sabes que aquÃ los precios no traen el impuesto incluÃdo.
English
Michelle: I need to buy some things for the house. Everything I bought last week is gone.
Valdo: You don't have anymore? I can't stand having to take you to different places every week.
Michelle: Stop being silly and help me before my food and water run out.
Valdo: That's OK. I also need to buy some guavas and an avacado.
Michelle: Wow, this store's got everything. Let's go get a brush for the baby. Let's not go overboard because I just brought cash.
Valdo: Yes, do be careful because you know that here that prices don't include the additional taxes.

Lesson 17: Pronunciation of 'j', 'ge', and 'gi', Wearing That Tiny Bikini Feb 14, 2007

asset title: Lesson 17: Pronunciation of 'j', 'ge', and 'gi', Wearing That Tiny Bikini
filename: tafalado_17.mp3
track number: 18/46
time: 15:02
size: 5.29 MB
bitrate: 48 kbps

From a North American perspective, the Brazilians have very skimpy swimming suits. However, from Valdo and Michelle's perspective, North American swimsuits are 'gigantes', 'enormes.' In the end, as Michelle explains, 'nÃ£o importo, vou continuar com o meu biquini do Brasil' (I don't care, I'm going to keep on using my Brazilian bikini). As to pronunciation, did Orlando really say that he wanted to name his daughter 'Janela' (window)? Good thing he didn't!
Dialog
Portuguese
Michelle: Gente! Veja aquele cara com aquela sunga laranja gigantesca e aquela mulher com aquele biquini bege enorme!
Valdo: Aquilo nÃ£o Ã© sunga de jeito nenhum. Imagina... aquilo lÃ¡ Ã© uma bermuda.
Michelle: VocÃª jÃ¡ reparou que aqui geralmente o tamanho das roupas Ã© bem maior que lÃ¡ no Brasil?
Valdo: LÃ³gico... principalmente nesses meses de junho e julho que as pessoas vÃ£o pra piscina, tomam uma cerveja gelada e observam umas Ã s outras em trajes de banho.
Michelle: Eh, mas isso Ã© uma coisa mais generalizada, porque as roupas em geral, inclusive as Ãntimas, sÃ£o gigantes aqui. Mas nÃ£o me importo... vou continuar com o meu biquini do Brasil.
Valdo: EntÃ£o tÃ¡ jÃ³ia! Michelle, dÃª uma giradinha aÃ pra todo mundo ver e eu tambÃ©m vou desfilar com a minha sunga.
Spanish
Michelle: Mira, ve aquel hombre con el traje de baÃ±o anaranjado gigante y aquella mujer en el bikini beige enorme.
Valdo: Aquello no es un traje de baÃ±o para nada. ImagÃnate, eso es una bermuda.
Michelle: Â¿Ya ves que aquÃ generalmente el tamaÃ±o de la ropa es mucho mÃ¡s grande que en Brasil?
Valdo: LÃ³gico... principalmente durante los meses de junio y julio cuando la gente va a la piscina, toman una cerveza helada y se miran en trajes de baÃ±o.
Michelle: SÃ, pero eso es una cosa generalizada, porque las ropas en general, inclusive la ropa Ãntima, son gigantes aquÃ. Pero no me importa, voy a continuar con mi bikini de Brasil.
Valdo: Entonces estÃ¡ bien. Michelle, modÃ©lame para poder verte y yo tambiÃ©n modelo el traje de baÃ±o mÃo.
English
Michelle: Oh my! Look at that guy with the gigantic orange swimsuit and that woman with the enormous beige bikini!
Valdo: That's not a swimsuit, no way. Really... that thing there is Bermuda shorts.
Michelle: Have you noticed that here generally the size of clothes is a lot bigger than in Brazil?
Valdo: Right... especially during the months of June and July when people go to the pool, have a cold beer, and watch one another in their bathing suits.
Michelle: Yes, but this generally applies to most things because most clothes, even underwear, are gigantic here. But I don't care, I going to keep on using my Brazilian bikini.
Valdo: All right then! Michelle, turn around so that we can all see and I'll also show off my speedo.

Lesson 18: Pronunciation of 'ch', You Call That a Steak House? Feb 26, 2007

asset title: Lesson 18: Pronunciation of 'ch', You Call That a Steak House?
filename: tafalado_18.mp3
track number: 19/46
time: 12:42
size: 4.47 MB
bitrate: 48 kbps

For the meat lovers of the world, we present the Brazilian-style 'churrascarias' and the 'rodÃzio' buffets. Get ready for over 30 different cuts of meat that will come by your table, and that doesn't include the salad bar either! Michelle is partial to 'coraÃ§Ã£o de galinha' (chicken hearts). Valdo can't wait for the 'costelinha de carneiro' (rack of lamb). Orlando loves the popular 'picanha,' which he can't even say in English, but he knows it is his favorite.
No wonder Valdo and Michelle think of American steak restaurants as snacks. Pronunciation is easy: 'ch' in Portuguese always sounds like 'sh.'
Dialog
Portuguese
Valdo: Acho tÃ£o diferente as churrascarias nos Estados Unidos. Ã um pouco chato, o churrasco aqui parece um lanche.
Michelle: Eh, no Brasil Ã© bem mais chique. A gente chega e tem aquela mesa cheia de saladas, queijos, bebidas.
Valdo: Sem falar que a gente enche a barriga, porque os garÃ§ons nÃ£o dÃ£o chance da gente parar de comer. LÃ¡ eles capricham no rodÃzio, nÃ©?
Michelle: Ã verdade. Toda hora eles chegam na nossa mesa, sem precisar chamar.
Valdo: Fora que as churrascarias no Brasil sÃ£o muito charmosas e aconchegantes.
Michelle: Eh, dÃ¡ vontade de ficar lÃ¡ atÃ© fechar. O churrasco brasileiro realmente Ã© de chupar os dedos!
Spanish
Valdo: Veo muy diferente los asaderos en los Estados Unidos. Es un poco triste pero el asadero aquÃ parece una fonda.
Michelle: SÃ, en Brasil es mucho mÃ¡s chÃ©vere. Las personas llegan y toda la mesa estÃ¡ llena de ensaladas, quesos, y bebidas.
Valdo: Desde luego las personas se llenan el estÃ³mago, porque los meseros no dan chance a la gente parar de comer. AllÃ¡ ellos hacen un trabajo excepcional.
Michelle: Es verdad. A toda hora ellos llegan a la mesa sin llamarles.
Valdo: AdemÃ¡s de eso, los asaderos en Brasil son hermosos y acojedores.
Michelle: SÃ, dan ganas de permanecer hasta que cierren. El asadero brasileÃ±o realmente es para chuparse los dedos.
English
Valdo: I think steak restaurants are really different here in the U.S. It's kind of boring, steak houses seem more like luncheonettes.
Michelle: Yes, in Brazil it's a lot cooler. Everyone goes and there's that table full of salads, cheeses, and drinks.
Valdo: And besides that, everyone fills up their stomachs because the waiters don't ever give you a chance to stop eating. They really take care of you at those restaurants, right?
Michelle: That true. They keep coming to your table without having to be asked.
Valdo: And besides that steak houses in Brazil are charming and inviting.
Michelle: I know, it makes you want to stay until they close. Brazilian steak houses are finger-licking good!

Lesson 19: Pronunciation of 'nh', Laundromats, Really? Mar 02, 2007

asset title: Lesson 19: Pronunciation of 'nh', Laundromats, Really?
filename: tafalado_19.mp3
track number: 20/46
time: 11:25
size: 4.02 MB
bitrate: 48 kbps

Valdo and Michelle still can't get used to the idea of taking their clothes to a Laundromat and using the coin-operated machines. Sure enough, in Brazil you either wash clothes at home or pay someone else to do the laundry. As they talk of Laundromats, we'll hear the pronunciation of many words that are spelled with 'nh,' similar to the Spanish 'Ã±.'
Dialog
Portuguese
Michelle: AmanhÃ£ sem falta tenho que voltar aqui para lavar minhas roupas de linho que estÃ£o manchadas de vinho.
Valdo: Eu nÃ£o tenho visto vocÃª aqui ultimamente.
Michelle: Eu vinha geralmente Ã noite, mas agora eu venho de manhÃ£ sempre depois do banho.
Valdo: Eh, assim vocÃª ganha tempo, nÃ©? Pra mim ainda Ã© estranho quando tenho que sair de casa pra lavar e secar minhas roupas.
Michelle: Pra mim tambÃ©m. No Brasil, nÃ£o existe lavanderia coletiva com moedinhas.
Valdo: Ã verdade ... ou a gente lava em nossa prÃ³pria mÃ¡quina em casa ou paga pra uma senhora fazer tudinho pra gente.
Spanish
Michelle: MaÃ±ana sin falta tengo que regresar aquÃ para lavar mi ropa que estÃ¡ manchada de vino.
Valdo: No te he visto aquÃ Ãºltimamente.
Michelle: Yo venÃa generalmente en la noche, pero ahora vengo en la maÃ±anas siempre despuÃ©s de tomar el baÃ±o.
Valdo: SÃ, asÃ tÃº ahorras tiempo, Â¿no? Para mÃ todavÃa es raro cuando tengo que salir de la casa para lavar e secar mi ropa.
Michelle: Para mÃ tambiÃ©n. En Brasil no existen lavanderÃas pÃºblicas en que se paga con monedas.
Valdo: Es verdad ... o se lava en nuestra propia mÃ¡quina en casa o se paga a una seÃ±ora para que lo haga todo.
English
Michelle: Tomorrow without fail I need to come back here to wash my clothes that have wine stains on them.
Valdo: I haven't seen you here lately.
Michelle: I used to come mostly at night, but now I've been coming in the mornings after taking a bath.
Valdo: Yes, that way you save time, right? It's still weird to me to have to leave my house to wash and dry my clothes.
Michelle: For me too. In Brazil we don't have coin operated public laundromats.
Valdo: That's right, either we wash them in our own machines at home or we pay to have someone do all of it for us.

Lesson 20: Pronunciation of 'lh', Automatic Sprinklers Mar 07, 2007

asset title: Lesson 20: Pronunciation of 'lh', Automatic Sprinklers
filename: tafalado_20.mp3
track number: 21/46
time: 12:38
size: 4.44 MB
bitrate: 48 kbps

The 'mulher molhada trabalhava' is rendered in Spanish as 'mujer mojada tabajaba.' That's our basic rule: words spelled with 'j' in Spanish are often spelled with 'lh' in Portuguese. However, you've got to hear the podcast to find out how they are pronounced. Culturally Valdo and Michelle admire the number of automatic sprinklers that are found in residential areas in the United States.
Dialog
Portuguese
Michelle: Um dia desses eu vi uma mulher toda molhada enquanto trabalhava.
Valdo: Ã mesmo? Me conta isso melhor. Quero saber os detalhes.
Michelle: Ela estava recolhendo uns galhos que estavam espalhados em frente de um condomÃnio quando os esguichos comeÃ§aram a molhÃ¡-la.
Valdo: Ela nÃ£o ouviu o barulho da Ã¡gua molhando as folhas?
Michelle: NÃ£o, porque esses aparelhos comeÃ§am a esguichar Ã¡gua de repente e sem fazer barulho. E isso Ã© muito comum aqui.
Valdo: Eh, entÃ£o talvez valha a pena ficar de olho e escolher bem o lugar onde vocÃª pÃ¡ra.
Spanish
Michelle: Estos dÃas yo vi a una mujer toda mojada cuando trabajaba.
Valdo: Â¿De veras? CuÃ©ntame mejor. Quiero saber con detalles.
Michelle: Ella estaba recogiendo unas ramas que estaban esparcidas en frente del condominio cuando la regadera empezÃ³ a mojarla.
Valdo: Â¿Ella no escuchÃ³ el ruido del agua que mojaba la hojas?
Michelle: No, porque esos aparatos comienzan a regar agua de repente y sin hacer ruido. Y eso es muy comÃºn aquÃ.
Valdo: Entonces, vale la pena ver y escoger bien el lugar donde se va a parar.
English
Michelle: Recently I saw a woman who got all wet while working.
Valdo: Really? Tell me more. I want to know the details.
Michelle: She was gathering some branches that were spread out in front of a condominium when the sprinklers started soaking her.
Valdo: Didn't she hear the noise of the water hitting against the leaves?
Michelle: No, because these sprinklers begin to spray water all of a sudden and without making any noise. It's really common here.
Valdo: OK, so it's probably worth it to be on the lookout and choose carefully the place where you stop.

Lesson 21: Pronunciation of Syllable-final 'l', Making Prints of Digital Photos Mar 13, 2007

asset title: Lesson 21: Pronunciation of Syllable-final 'l', Making Prints of Digital Photos
filename: tafalado_21.mp3
track number: 22/46
time: 13:20
size: 9.38 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

If you would like to say the name of their country correctly, Michelle and Valdo are here to show us how to say 'Brasil,' which really comes out more like 'Braziw.' That is the trick in lesson 21. They also share their experience at self-service digital photo machines.
Dialog
Portuguese
Valdo: No Brasil a gente sempre tem alguÃ©m que revela as nossas fotos. E aqui, qual Ã© o procedimento ideal?
Michelle: Aqui nÃ£o falta lugar que tenha essas mÃ¡quinas de alta tecnologia para imprimir fotos multicoloridas.
Valdo: A Ãºltima vez que revelei as minhas a cor azul ficou muito saltada. NÃ£o gostei do resultado final.
Michelle: Eh, aqui quem revela as fotos somos nÃ³s mesmos. Ã sÃ³ salvar num CD ou levar o cartÃ£o de memÃ³ria da mÃ¡quina, selecionar no painel as fotos que vocÃª quer e imprimir no papel.
Valdo: Nada mal, hein? Culturas diferentes, nÃ©? Mas Ã© fÃ¡cil usar essas mÃ¡quinas? Ã igual a um caixa eletrÃ´nico?
Michelle: Ã super fÃ¡cil. VocÃª pode revelar mais de mil fotos e o custo nÃ£o Ã© alto.
Spanish
Valdo: En Brasil siempre hay alguien que revela las fotos. Y aquÃ, Â¿cuÃ¡l es el procedimiento ideal?
Michelle: AquÃ no faltan lugares donde hay esas mÃ¡quinas de alta tecnologÃa para imprimir fotos de colores.
Valdo: La Ãºltima vez que revelÃ© la mÃas el color azul quedÃ³ muy fuerte. No me gustÃ³ el resultado final.
Michelle: SÃ, aquÃ revelamos las fotos nosotros mismos. Es solo grabar en un CD o llevar la memoria de la cÃ¡mara, seleccionar en la pantalla las fotos que desea y luego imprimir en el papel.
Valdo: EstÃ¡ bien, Â¿verdad? Culturas diferentes, Â¿no? Â¿Es fÃ¡cil usar esas mÃ¡quinas? Â¿Es igual a un cajero automÃ¡tico?
Michelle: Es sÃºper fÃ¡cil. Se puede revelar mÃ¡s de mil fotos y el costo no es alto.
English
Valdo: In Brazil there is always someone who will develop our pictures. And here, what's the best procedure?
Michelle: Here there is no lack of these high tech machines where you can get colored prints.
Valdo: Last time I developed (my pictures) the blue color came out too strong. I didn't like how they looked.
Michelle: Here you can develop your own pictures. You just have to save them to a CD or take the memory card, select the prints you want on the screen and print them out on paper.
Valdo: Not bad, right? Different cultures I guess. But is it easy to use these machines? Is it like an ATM machine?
Michelle: It's really easy. You could print out a thousand pictures and it doesn't cost a lot.

Lesson 22: Epenthetic Vowels (wow, fancy word!), Fast Food Mar 18, 2007

asset title: Lesson 22: Epenthetic Vowels (wow, fancy word!), Fast Food
filename: tafalado_22.mp3
track number: 23/46
time: 11:50
size: 8.32 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

Epenthe ... what? Epenthetic vowels. We know, it sounds like a tropical disease, but it's really the linguistic feature that produces such great Brazilian words as 'piquenique' for picnic. Valdo isn't sure he can bring himself to say 'hoti doggie' for 'hot dog,' but he has no problem with 'fasti foodi.'
Dialog
Portuguese
Valdo: VocÃª jÃ¡ observou como a comida daqui Ã© diferente da nossa?
Michelle: Ã Ã³bvio que sim! E o mais absurdo Ã© que a gente nÃ£o tem opÃ§Ã£o: Ã© fast food todo dia!
Valdo: VocÃª estÃ¡ absolutamente certa! No Brasil, nÃ³s nunca substituirÃamos um prato de arroz e feijÃ£o por um pedaÃ§o de pizza ou por um hot dog.
Michelle: Ã verdade. Nossa comida Ã© digna dos deuses!
Valdo: Ainda bem que nÃ³s nÃ£o somos adeptos a esse sistema, nÃ©?
Michelle: Pois Ã© ... apesar do nosso ritmo de vida ser igual, sempre optamos por ter pelo menos uma refeiÃ§Ã£o de verdade.
Spanish
Valdo: Â¿Ha observado usted como la comida de aquÃ es diferente que la nuestra?
Michelle: SÃ, es obvio. Y lo mÃ¡s absurdo es que no hay otra opciÃ³n: es fast food todos los dÃas
Valdo: Absolutamente, usted tiene toda la razÃ³n. En Brasil, nunca substituirÃamos un plato de arroz y frijoles por una pizza o por una hot dog.
Michelle: Es verdad. Nuestra comida es digna de los diÃ³ses.
Valdo: Felizmente no somos adeptos a ese sistema, Â¿verdad?
Michelle: Pues sÃ ... puede ser que nuestra ritmo de vida sea igual, pero siempre hay opciones para comer una comida de verdad.
English
Valdo: Have you ever observed how food here is different from ours?
Michelle: It's obvious yes. And the most absurd thing is that we have no options here: fast food every day!
Valdo: You are absolutely correct. In Brazil we would never substitute a plate of rice and beans for a slice of pizza or for a hot dog.
Michelle: That is true. Our food is worthy of the gods!
Valdo: It's a good thing that we aren't very adept at their system, you know?
Michelle: You're right ... even if our rhythm of life is just like theirs, we'll always take time to at least have a real meal.

Lesson 23: Cool Little Words, Nicknames Mar 23, 2007

asset title: Lesson 23: Cool Little Words, Nicknames
filename: tafalado_23.mp3
track number: 24/46
time: 9:11
size: 6.46 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

Let's see if we have this right? Michelle's family gave her the nickname 'witch' because of how moody she became when under stress at school, right? Wow, that's a mean nickname, at least from a North American point of view. This lesson is a bit different in that we don't look at pronunciation directly, but we do look at the little extra words that people add to their speech, like, you know, umm, well, like, whatever, you know?
Dialog
Portuguese
Michelle: CÃª sabe que os americanos acham estranho certos apelidos que a gente coloca nas pessoas.
Valdo: Diga aÃ ... vem cÃ¡, eles nÃ£o usam apelidos?
Michelle: EntÃ£o, veja sÃ³ ... quando eu digo que meu apelido no Brasil Ã© 'bruxa' ninguÃ©m acredita. Eles acham estranho, um pouco cruel, sabe?
Valdo: PeraÃ ... eles nÃ£o usam apelidos como 'gordo', 'magrela', 'baixinho', 'alemÃ£o'? PÃ´, isso Ã© uma forma de demonstrar, tipo, amizade no Brasil, nÃ©?
Michelle: Viu, nÃ£o Ã© que eles nÃ£o usam apelidos aqui, mas Ã© diferente, entende? Geralmente Ã© sÃ³ um diminutivo do nome, como 'Liz' para Elizabeth, 'Bob' para Robert, tÃ¡ vendo?
Valdo: Ah, tÃ¡ ... nÃ£o Ã© um nome engraÃ§ado como os que a gente usa e que vem de uma caracterÃstica fÃsica que a pessoa tenha, por exemplo. Ah, sei ... Bom, entÃ£o a gente se fala mais tarde, falÃ´?
Spanish
Michelle: Sabe que los americanos consideran raros los apodos que les damos nosotros a outros.
Valdo: Dime, ven acÃ¡, Â¿no utilizan ellos apodos?
Michelle: Entonces, mira, cuando les digo que mi apodo en Brasil es 'bruja' nadie lo cree. Ellos piensan que es muy raro y un poco cruel, Â¿sabe?
Valdo: Espera, Â¿no usan ellos apodos como 'gordo', 'flaquito', 'bajito', 'alemÃ¡n'? Pues, eso es una forma de mostrarles, a ver, amistad en Brasil, Â¿no?
Michelle: 'Bob' para Robert, tÃ¡ vendo?
Ves, no es que no utilizan apodos aquÃ, pero es diferente, Â¿sabe? Generalmente es una forma diminutivo del nombre, como 'Liz para Elizabeth, 'Bob' para Robert, Â¿lo ves?
Valdo: EstÃ¡ bien, no serÃºa un nombre chistoso como los que nosotros usamos, estos que vienen de las caracterÃsticas fÃsicas que la persona tenga por ejemplo. Bien, entonces podemos hablar mÃ¡s de eso mÃ¡s tarde, Â¿estÃ¡ bien?
English
Michelle: You know that Americans think it is strange the way we give nicknames to other people.
Valdo: Come on, tell me, you mean they don't use nicknames?
Michelle: So, look, when I tell them that my nickname in Brazil is 'witch' nobody believes it. They think it is strange and a little cruel, you know?
Valdo: Hold on ... you mean they don't say things like 'fat', 'skinny', 'short', 'German'? Wow, this is the way that we show, you know, friendship in Brazil, right?
Michelle: You know, it's not that they don't use nicknames, but it's different, you know? Generally they just use diminutive forms of a name like 'Liz for Elizabeth, 'Bob' for Robert, you see?
Valdo: OK then, so it's not a funny name like the ones that we use that come from some physical characteristic that the person hÃ¡s for example. I've got it, OK, we'll talk more later, OK?

Lesson 24: Intonation Mar 28, 2007

asset title: Lesson 24: Intonation
filename: tafalado_24.mp3
track number: 25/46
time: 15:05
size: 10.61 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

Today's lesson is totally different. Instead of listening to a dialog and comparing the sounds to Spanish, our team discusses a number of audio clips that illustrate Brazilian Portuguese intonation patterns. Do not worry about understanding what they clips are saying. The objective of today's lesson is to listen to the music, rhythm, and pitch of Brazilian Portuguese. And yes, Brazilians do think of Halls Mentho-Lyptus as candy!
Clip #1, from Lesson 13 dialog
Valdo and Vivian
Portuguese: Ah, Ã© mesmo. Dentro de alguns cinemas aqui eles servem comida. Gostoso, nÃ©?
Spanish: Ah, es cierto. Dentro de algunos cines aquÃ se sirve comida. QuÃ© chÃ©vere, Â¿no?
English: That's right. In some of the theaters they serve food. That's cool, right?
---
Clip #2, Lesson 13 dialog
Michelle and Vivian
Portuguese: EntÃ£o tÃ¡. A gente come massa com espinafre e toma umas bebidas enquanto assiste o filme.
Spanish: EstÃ¡ bien. Nosotros comemos pasta con espinacas y tomamos unas bebidas mientras miramos la pelÃcula.
English: OK then. We'll have pasta with spinach and we'll have a few drinks while watching the movie.
---
Clip #3, 'Hot Dog' or 'Hoti Doggie'
Michelle, Valdo, JosÃ© Luis, and Orlando
- Eu quero ver ele pronunciar 'hoti doggie.'
- Ã porque foi uma controvÃ©rsia porque ela queria que eu falasse 'fasti foodi' mas eu nÃ£o falo 'fasti foodi.'
- Eu tambÃ©m nÃ£o falo 'fasti foodi', mas eu vou forÃ§ar aqui porque todo mundo fala!
- No cultural note vamos fazer ...
- O que cÃª fala geralmente?
- Cachorro quente.
- NÃ£o, mas a gente fala 'hoti doggie.'
- Mas se vocÃª dissesse ...
- Se falasse no Brasil ...
- Ele, como sabe ingles, ele vai falar 'hot dog' ...
- NinguÃ©m vai entender o que Ã©, nÃ©? Ã lÃ³gico.
- ... mas as pessoas falam 'hoti doggie.' Ã como falar 'fasti foodi.'
- Eu queria salientar isso nos cultural note, que eu nÃ£o falo 'hoti doggie' ...
---
Clip #4
Michelle, Valdo, Jose Luis, and Orlando:
- 'Fasti Foodi'
- Eu tambÃ©m nÃ£o falo assim Valdo, mas eu vou dar uma forÃ§ada porque as pessoas falam.
- O que cÃª fala?
- NÃ£o, a gente fala 'fast food' mas as pessoas falam 'fasti foodi' com 'i' no final.
- Mas o objetivo Ã© esse, nÃ©? da liÃ§Ã£o.
- Exatamente,
- Mas eu queria que ...
- ... enfatize que nÃ³s nÃ£o falamos assim.
- Que nÃ³s dois, nÃ©?
- NÃ³s nÃ£o falamos mas o resto Ã© normal.
---
Clip #5
Michelle, Valdo, Jose Luis, and Orlando:
- Na verdade eu nÃ£o escuto muito a gente falar 'hoti doggie'. O pessoal fala ...
- Sim, fala mais cachorro quente, mas quando vai falar.
- Ã que a gente precisava de usar essas palavras para ...
- We'll play with it, we'll let people know that cachorro quente is also said a lot.
- Mas, quando as pessoas vÃ£o falar, fala 'hoti doggie'.
- If they ever say it.
- Sim.
- Porque Orlando lo dirÃ¡ en inglÃ©s, hot dog.
- Eu diria cachorro quente, para falar a verdade, eu falaria em portuguÃªs ...
- Eu nÃ£o falaria hot dog nunca
- Sim, mas tem lugares tambÃ©m
- We need to come up with some epenthetic vowel ...
- I fully understand what we are doing.
---
Clip #6
Michelle, Valdo, Jose Luis, and Orlando:
- Outra coisa que vocÃª pode incluir, se cÃª quiser, que eu lembrei agora, Halles...
- O que Ã© Halles?
- Halles.
- Eu nunca ouvi as pessoas pronunciarem Halles.
- Ã Halles.
- Escuto pronunciar Halls
- Ã, eu sempre falo Halls. Gente, eu sempre falo assim.
- Una clase divina.
- For us, Jose Luis, you will not believe this, but for us Halls is a medicine. You know, throat lozenges, when you have a sore throat you have Halls.
- Oh yea.
- In Brazil, they eat it like candy!
- Candy.
- They sell Halls like candy!
- Yea,
- Yea. It's like...
- E eu pronuncio Halls sempre. Eu nunca ouvi Halles.
- Is it candy, I mean the Halls?
- No. A primeira vez que eles ofereceram para mim Halls como se fosse candy eu pensei, what is this?
- Para mim foi estranho achar que o povo usa aqui como remÃ©dio.
- NÃ£o, nÃ£o, no Brazil nÃ£o. Imagina! Uma balinha, que cÃª compra todo dia, toma todo dia.
- Toma nÃ£o, chupa todo dia, uma balinha...
- Pra botar bom hÃ¡lito na boca.
- Sim.
- Oh, I like that.
- OK, we better get rolling here.

Supplementary Lesson 2: Portuguese Consonant Sounds Apr 05, 2007

asset title: Supplementary Lesson 2: Portuguese Consonant Sounds
filename: tafalado_suppl_02.mp3
track number: 26/46
time: 5:33
size: 3.90 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

Unlike the regular podcast lessons, we've included some other supplementary lessons. Think of these as a sort of Appendix to the regular lessons. In this second supplementary lesson, we provide an audio sample of all of major consonant sounds for Brazilian Portuguese. This should give you a sense of each of the sounds.

Grammar Lesson 1: Gostar vs. Gustar, Sitting on the Grass May 08, 2007

asset title: Grammar Lesson 1: Gostar vs. Gustar, Sitting on the Grass
filename: tafalado_gra_01.mp3
track number: 27/46
time: 10:49
size: 7.61 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

We've made a switch. Welcome back to all who have previously listened to TÃ¡ Falado. Up to this point, we've always done pronunciation lessons. Today we introduce something new, our first grammar lesson! From here on out we'll look at some of those items that make Spanish speakers shake their heads and say, 'I thought Portuguese and Spanish were more similar than this.' In lesson one, Orlando, Valdo, Michelle, and Jose LuÃs talk us through the verb 'to like.' We, in fact, hope that you like the lesson too. Culturally, Valdo and Michelle confess that they have never understood why North Americans like to sit on the grass.
Dialog
Portuguese
Michelle: Valdo, olhe pro gramado. Veja como os universitÃ¡rios americanos gostam de livros, de mÃºsica ...
Valdo: E vocÃª gosta de sentar na grama como eles para estudar?
Michelle: NÃ£o, nÃ£o estou acostumada. Mas os alunos aqui nos Estados Unidos adoram.
Valdo: Pois Ã©, nÃ£o gosto disso nÃ£o. Ã um pouco desconfortÃ¡vel e tem muita formiga.
Michelle: Eh, eu tambÃ©m nÃ£o gosto de formiga nÃ£o. Onde vocÃª prefere estudar?
Valdo: Eu gosto muito de estudar no conforto da minha casa ou na biblioteca.
Spanish
Michelle: Valdo, mira la grama. Ve como a los universitarios americanos les gustan os libros, y la mÃºsica ...
Valdo: Te gusta sentarte en el cÃ©sped como ellos para estudiar?
Michelle: No, no estoy acostumbrada. Pero a los alumnos de aquÃ de los Estados Unidos les encanta.
Valdo: Pues, a mÃ no me gusta. Es un poco incÃ³modo y hay muchas hormigas.
Michelle: De acuerdo. Tampoco me gustan las hormigas. Â¿DÃ³nde prefieres estudiar?
Valdo: Me gusta mucho estudiar en la comodidad de mi casa o en la biblioteca.
English
Michelle: Valdo, look at the lawn. You see how American university students like music, book ...
Valdo: Do you like to sit on the lawn to study like they do?
Michelle: No, I'm not used to it. But the students here in the United State love it.
Valdo: Yeah, I don't like it either. It is kind of uncomfortable and there are a lot of ants.
Michelle: Yeah, I don't like ants either. Where do you like to study?
Valdo: I really like to study in the comfort of my home or in the library.

Grammar Lesson 2: Contractions, Getting Change From A Machine May 12, 2007

asset title: Grammar Lesson 2: Contractions, Getting Change From A Machine
filename: tafalado_gra_02.mp3
track number: 28/46
time: 12:20
size: 8.67 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

Can you believe how many contractions Portuguese has? : nesse, num, do, naquele, aos, pelo, etc. The list goes on and on. When speakers of Spanish catch on to these contractions, sentences become instantly easier to understand. And that, of course, is what Orlando, Michelle, Valdo, and Jose LuÃs hope to do with today's lesson on contractions. At the same time, culturally, Valdo and Michelle found it hard to find their change that automatically fell out of a machine at the supermarket. Sure enough, that would be a new experience for visitors from Brazil.
Dialog
Portuguese
Michelle: Ficar na fila Ã© duro, nÃ©?
Valdo: Que tal se a gente passar pelo meio e chegar naquele outro caixa?
Michelle: Do lado de lÃ¡? TÃ¡ bom.
Valdo: Viu, Ã s vezes me confundo com o troco nesses supermercados. Por que eles nunca colocam as moedas nas nossas mÃ£os?
Michelle: Porque as moedas caem das maquininhas que ficam ao lado do caixa.
Valdo: Ah, tÃ¡ ... Ã© que nos supermercados brasileiros a gente recebe todo o troco dos prÃ³prios caixas.
Spanish
Michelle: Esperar en la fila es duro, Â¿verdad?
Valdo: Â¿QuÃ© tal si pasamos por el centro y esperamos en aquel otro cajero?
Michelle: Â¿Del otro lado? EstÃ¡ bien.
Valdo: Sabe, a veces me confundo con el cambio en esos supermercados. Â¿Por quÃ© ellos nunca dejan las monedas en nuestra mano?
Michelle: Porque las monedas caen de las maquinitas que estÃ¡n al lado de la caja.
Valdo: Ah, entiendo ... es que en los supermercados brasileÃ±os uno recibe todo el cambio de los propios cajeros.
English
Michelle: Wating in line is tough, isn't it?
Valdo: How about if we go towards the middle and wait at the other cashier?
Michelle: That other side over there? OK.
Valdo: You know, some times I get confused with the change in these supermarkets. Why don't they ever put the change in your hands?
Michelle: Because the coins come out of the little machines that are next to the cashier.
Valdo: Ah, I get it, it's just that in the Brazilian supermarkets you get your change directly from the cashiers.

Grammar Lesson 3: Plurals with 'l', Gas Stations May 21, 2007

asset title: Grammar Lesson 3: Plurals with 'l', Gas Stations
filename: tafalado_gra_03.mp3
track number: 29/46
time: 13:15
size: 9.31 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

The plural of Brazil, if there were two of them, would be 'Brasis.' Now that would be a strange word! Spanish speakers aren't sure how to make those words that end in 'l' plural. Orlando, Valdo, Michelle, and JosÃ© LuÃs try to tell us that it is as easy as drop the 'l' and add 'is,' but we're sure there is more to it than that. While they are talking about plurals, Valdo and Michelle also tell us about their experience in getting used to self serve gas stations in the U.S. too!
Dialog
Portuguese
Valdo: Aquele homem estÃ¡ fazendo sinal pra gente baixar o farol do carro?
Michelle: NÃ£o! Vamos deixar os farÃ³is acesos ... E onde estÃ¡ o frentista pra colocar o combustÃvel no nosso automÃ³vel?
Valdo: Aqui nÃ£o Ã© tÃ£o fÃ¡cil como no Brasil. Os automÃ³veis sÃ£o abastecidos pelo prÃ³prio motorista.
Michelle: Como assim? Por que as coisas sÃ£o tÃ£o difÃceis aqui?
Valdo: Ah, nÃ£o Ã© tÃ£o difÃcil assim! Pagar com o cartÃ£o e colocar a mangueira no carro sÃ£o coisas bem fÃ¡ceis de fazer ... vocÃª consegue!
Michelle: Ã, mas vocÃª tem que concordar que nÃ£o hÃ¡ sinais claros indicando nada disso.
Spanish
Valdo: Â¿Aquel hombre nos estÃ¡ indicando que bajemos las luces del carro?
Michelle: No! Vamos a dejar las luces ascendidas ... Â¿Y dÃ³nde estÃ¡ el mozo para poner el combustible en el carro?
Valdo: AquÃ no es tan fÃ¡cil como en el Brasil. Los carros son abastecidos por el propio motorista.
Michelle: Â¿CÃ³mo asÃ? Â¿Por quÃ© las cosas son tan difÃciles aquÃ?
Valdo: Ah, no es tan difÃcil asÃ. Pagar con la tarjeta y poner la manguera en el carro son cosas bien fÃ¡ciles de hacer ... tÃº lo consigues.
Michelle: SÃ, pero tendrÃ¡s que estar de acuerdo que no hay ninguna seÃ±a clara que indique nada de eso.
English
Valdo: That man is signaling that we should turn down the headlights?
Michelle: No! Let's leave the lights on ... And where is the attendant to put gas in our car?
Valdo: It's not as easy here as it is in Brazil. The cars are filled up by the drivers themselves.
Michelle: What do you mean? Why are things so difficult here?
Valdo: It's not so difficult. Paying with the credit card and putting the hose in your car are easy things to do ... you can do it!
Michelle: Yea, but you have to agree that there are no clear signs indicating any of this.

Grammar Lesson 4: Future Subjunctive, Soda Refills at Restaurants May 25, 2007

asset title: Grammar Lesson 4: Future Subjunctive, Soda Refills at Restaurants
filename: tafalado_gra_04.mp3
track number: 30/46
time: 13:55
size: 9.78 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

When you go, you will buy a soda. If you buy a soda, you will get refills. As soon as you get refills, you will sit down with friends to talk. Those who sit and talk with friends, will have a great time. Yes, all of those sentences require the 'future subjunctive' in Portuguese. So, if you listen to Orlando, Valdo, Michelle, and JosÃ© LuÃs, you will also learn how to use the future subjunctive. Don't be intimidated, Spanish speaking friends, it's easier than you think!
Dialog
Portuguese
Michelle: NÃ£o sei, tÃ´ me sentindo meio gorda ... se a gente for jantar hoje Ã noite eu sÃ³ vou tomar Ã¡gua.
Valdo: Eu vou tomar refrigerante e o quanto eu puder, afinal com esse sistema de refil a gente pode beber o quanto quiser.
Michelle: Eh, mas quando nÃ³s chegarmos lÃ¡ fique atento com os copos ...
Valdo: Fique tranqÃ¼ila, os copos sÃ£o diferentes. E se estivermos com muita fome, serÃ¡ que eles vÃ£o deixar a gente repetir sem pagar de novo?
Michelle: Claro que nÃ£o! O refil Ã© sÃ³ pra bebida.
Valdo: Se Deus quiser a gente ainda vai adotar esse sistema no Brasil.
Spanish
Michelle: No sÃ©, me siento un poco gorda ... si comemos esta noche solamente voy a tomar agua.
Valdo: Yo voy a tomar refrescos, y todo lo que pueda, a final con ese sistema de refill se puede beber cuanto desee.
Michelle: EstÃ¡ bien, pero al llegar cuidado con los vasos ...
Valdo: TranquÃlate, los vasos son diferentes. Y si tenemos mucha hambre, Â¿serÃ¡ que se permite que nosotros repitamos sin pagar otra vez?
Michelle: Claro que no! El refill es sÃ³lo para la bebida.
Valdo: Si DiÃ³s quiere, tal vez podamos adoptar ese sistema en el Brasil.
English
Michelle: I don't know, I'm feeling a little fat ... if we go out to eat tonight I'm only going to drink water.
Valdo: I'm going to drink sodas and as much as I want, after all, with this refill system we can drink as much as we want to.
Michelle: OK, but when we get there keep an eye on your cups ...
Valdo: Don't worry, the cups are different. And if we are really hungry, do you think that they'll let us have seconds on food without paying again?
Michelle: Of course not! The refills are only for the drinks.
Valdo: God willing, maybe we can adopt this system in Brazil.

Grammar Lesson 5: Disappearing Reflexive Verbs, Use of Coupons May 31, 2007

asset title: Grammar Lesson 5: Disappearing Reflexive Verbs, Use of Coupons
filename: tafalado_gra_05.mp3
track number: 31/46
time: 9:39
size: 6.79 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

Here's a trick question for Spanish speakers: Would it be better in Portuguese to say the equivalent of 'SiÃ©ntate' or 'SiÃ©ntese'? Answer: Don't worry about the reflexive pronouns. Chances are that Brazilians won't use them either. In this lesson Valdo and Michelle help the rest of us to get a sense of the disappearing reflexive pronouns in Portuguese. Michelle also adds how cool she thinks the use of coupons is here in Texas as well.
Dialog
Portuguese
Valdo: VocÃª deitou tarde ontem?
Michelle: Deitei bem tarde e levantei bem cedinho.
Valdo: Por que? Senta aqui e me conta.
Michelle: Eu lembrei que tinha um monte de cupons que vencia hoje... daÃ eu corri pra loja para usÃ¡-los.
Valdo: Eu acho legal esse sistema de cupons daqui. Sempre aproveito os descontos e ganho vÃ¡rias coisas de graÃ§a.
Michelle: Oh, desculpe, tenho que ir... esqueci que tenho mais dois cupons pra usar agora Ã tarde.
Spanish
Valdo: Â¿Te acostaste tarde ayer?
Michelle: Me acostÃ© muy tarde y me levantÃ© muy temprano.
Valdo: Â¿Por quÃ©? SiÃ©ntate aquÃ y cuÃ©ntame.
Michelle: Me acordÃ© que tenÃa un montÃ³n de cupones que se vencÃa hoy ... asÃ corrÃ a las tiendas para usarlos.
Valdo: Me gusta este sistema de cupones de aquÃ. Siempre aprovecho los descuentos y gano varias cosas gratis.
Michelle: Oh, descÃºlpaame, tengo que irme ... se me olvidÃ³ que tengo dos cupones mÃ¡s que necesito usar esta tarde.
English
Valdo: Did you go to bed late yesterday?
Michelle: I went to bed really late and I got up really early.
Valdo: Why? Sit down hear and tell me about it.
Michelle: I remembered that I had a whole bunch of coupons that were expiring today ... so I ran to the store to use them up.
Valdo: I love this system of coupons that they have here. I always take advantage of the discounts and I get a lot of things for free.
Michelle: Oh, I'm sorry, I've got to go ... I forgot that I have a couple of coupons that need to be used this afternoon.

Grammar Lesson 6: The Verb 'Ficar', Studying in CafÃ©s Jun 07, 2007

asset title: Grammar Lesson 6: The Verb 'Ficar', Studying in CafÃ©s
filename: tafalado_gra_06.mp3
track number: 32/46
time: 11:11
size: 7.87 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

In this lesson Orlando dreams about being able to use the verb 'ficar' when he is talking in Spanish. Ah, if they just had that verb in Spanish, it would make things a lot easier. Of course, for you Spanish speakers, you now have a chance to add 'ficar' to your Portuguese. Whether it means to become, to be, to stay, to remain, to keep on, or any of the other meanings, you are sure to love this fantastic verb. And whoever said that verbs weren't fun? One caution, however, don't study your verbs in a cafÃ©, at least not in Brazil. Michelle and Valdo have a hard time getting used to the idea of studying in a cafÃ©.
Dialog
Portuguese
Valdo: Eu fico pensando como as pessoas aqui conseguem se concentrar nos estudos ficando horas e horas sentadas nos cafÃ©s.
Michelle: Ã mesmo! No Brasil a gente geralmente fica em casa ou na biblioteca estudando.
Valdo: Eu fico meio distraÃdo com o movimento das pessoas entrando e saindo.
Michelle: Fora que vocÃª fica mais pobre, porque pra ficar lÃ¡ vocÃª sempre tem que consumir algo.
Valdo: E ainda ficar de molho na fila pra comprar qualquer coisa.
Michelle: Ã, Ã s vezes eu fico com um pouco de receio de ir estudar nos cafÃ©s exatamente por isso.
Spanish
Valdo: Sigo pensando como las personas aquÃ consiguen concentrarse en los estudios pasando horas y horas sentadas en los cafÃ©s.
Michelle: De acuerdo. En el Brasil generalmente nos quedamos en casa o en una biblioteca para estudiar.
Valdo: Me distrai con el movimiento de personas que entran y salen.
Michelle: Y ademÃ¡s uno pasa a ser mÃ¡s pobre porque para sentarse allÃ uno siempre tiene que tomar algo.
Valdo: Y todavÃa tienes que esperar en la fila para comprar alguna cosa.
Michelle: SÃ, a veces me siento un poco reticente en estudiar en los cafÃ©s precisamente por eso.
English
Valdo: I keep wondering how people here can concentrate on their studies while sitting around for hours in cafes.
Michelle: I know. In Brazil we generally stay at home or study in the library.
Valdo: I get distracted with all the movement of people coming in and out.
Michelle: Besides that, you end up poorer because in order to stay there you have to keep drinking something.
Valdo: And you've also got to wait in line just to buy something.
Michelle: Yea, sometimes I feel a little reticent to study in cafes precisely because of that.

Grammar Lesson 7: Para with Indirect Pronouns, Ice Water at Restaurants Jun 14, 2007

asset title: Grammar Lesson 7: Para with Indirect Pronouns, Ice Water at Restaurants
filename: tafalado_gra_07.mp3
track number: 33/46
time: 12:23
size: 8.71 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

For all of you who learned how to speak Spanish, we all relive the nightmare experience of learning direct and indirect object pronouns. Lo is direct, le is indirect. When you use both put the indirect first; but you can't say le lo, so change le to se and then say se lo, as in se lo di 'I gave it to him' ... Bad memories for sure, but the good news is that none of that happens in Portuguese. In fact, Brazilians hardly ever use indirect objects. Instead they just say para ele 'to him', para ela 'to her', para eles 'to them'. That's what Orlando, Valdo, Michelle, and Jose LuÃs talk about in this lesson, which is just para vocÃªs!
Dialog
Portuguese
Valdo: Por que o garÃ§om trouxe tanta Ã¡gua para aquele povo da outra mesa?
Michelle: Aqui Ã© um costume servir Ã¡gua nos bares e restaurantes para os clientes mesmo quando se pede outra coisa pra beber.
Valdo: GarÃ§om, traga duas cervejas pra gente, por favor. Nada de Ã¡gua!
Michelle: Valdo, e pede pra ele uma salada de palmito tambÃ©m.
Valdo: Puxa! O garÃ§om sÃ³ fica dando Ã¡gua pra eles, olha lÃ¡. Eles vÃ£o ficar bÃªbados com tanta Ã¡gua!
Michelle: Aqui Ã© impressionante... assim que vocÃª chega, a primeira coisa que eles fazem Ã© entregar um copo cheio de Ã¡gua com gelo pra vocÃª.
Spanish
Valdo: Â¿Por quÃ© el camarero les trajo tanta agua a aquellas personas de la otra mesa?
Michelle: AquÃ a los clientes es normal servirles agua en los bares y restaurantes aÃºn cuando piden otra cosa para beber.
Valdo: Camarero, trÃ¡iganos dos cervezas por favor. Y nada de agua!
Michelle: Valdo, pÃdele que traiga una ensalada de palmito tambiÃ©n.
Valdo: Uau, el camarero continÃºa dÃ¡ndoles agua, mira. Se emborracharÃ¡n con tanta agua.
Michelle: AquÃ es impresionante ... luego que vengas, la primera cosa que hacen es entregarte un vaso lleno de agua con hielo.
English
Valdo: Why did the waiter take so much water to those people at that other table?
Michelle: Here it's customary to serve customers water in bars and restaurants even when they have asked for something else to drink.
Valdo: Waiter, bring us two beers please. And no water!
Michelle: Valdo, ask him to bring a heart of palm salad too.
Valdo: Wow! The waiter keeps on giving them water, look at that. They are going to get drunk on so much water.
Michelle: It's impressive here ... as soon as you arrive the first thing they do is bring you a glass full of ice water.

Grammar Lesson 8: Plural of words that end in 'Ã£o', Car Insurance Jun 20, 2007

asset title: Grammar Lesson 8: Plural of words that end in 'Ã£o', Car Insurance
filename: tafalado_gra_08.mp3
track number: 34/46
time: 13:22
size: 9.40 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

So why is the plural of alemÃ£o alemÃ£es, but he plural of naÃ§Ã£o is naÃ§Ãµes? And why would the plural of mÃ£o be mÃ£os? You know what, Valdo and Michelle have some hints to clear it all up. What's amazing is that they can talk about that and still have time to talk about car insurance in Brazil.
Dialog
Portuguese
Michelle: Minha situaÃ§Ã£o financeira melhorou e eu quero fazer um montÃ£o de coisas.
Valdo: SÃ³ toma cuidado pra vocÃª nÃ£o ficar acostumada com um padrÃ£o de vida que nÃ£o Ã© o seu.
Michelle: Mas os padrÃµes daqui sÃ£o diferentes do Brasil. As situaÃ§Ãµes sÃ£o outras e eu quero aproveitar.
Valdo: Eh, vocÃª tem razÃ£o. Se vocÃª tem condiÃ§Ãµes de pagar um seguro alto, compra logo um carro zero!
Michelle: Minha condiÃ§Ã£o financeira realmente estÃ¡ boa, mas eu nÃ£o quero fazer um seguro de automÃ³vel.
Valdo: Mas aqui o seguro do carro Ã© obrigatÃ³rio. No Brasil, a gente faz por outras razÃµes, vocÃª sabe, tipo ser roubado.
Spanish
Michelle: Mi situaciÃ³n financiera ha mejorado y quiero hacer un montÃ³n de cosas.
Valdo: Pero cuidado para que no te acostumbres con el estÃ¡ndar de vida que no sea el tuyo.
Michelle: Pero los estÃ¡ndar de aquÃ son diferentes a los del Brasil. Las situaciones son diferentes y quiero aprovechar.
Valdo: SÃ, tienes razÃ³n. Si tienes condiciones de pagar un seguro alto, compra luego un carro nuevo!
Michelle: Mi condiciÃ³n financiera realmente estÃ¡ buena, pero yo no quiero comprar un seguro de automÃ³vil.
Valdo: Pero aquÃ el seguro de automÃ³vil es obligatorio. En el Brasil nosotros lo compramos por otras razones, sabes, como el robo.
English
Michelle: My financial situation has improved and I want to do a whole bunch of things.
Valdo: But be care that you don't get used to a standard of living that isn't yours.
Michelle: But the standards here are different then in Brazil. The situation is different and I want to take advantage of it.
Valdo: Yea, you are right. If you are in a condition to pay the high insurance, buy yourself a new car right away.
Michelle: My financial situation is really just fine, but I don't want to buy car insurance.
Valdo: But here car insurance is obligatory. In Brazil we buy it for other reasons, you know, like against theft.

Grammar Lesson 9: Possessive Pronouns, How to Dress Like an American Jun 27, 2007

asset title: Grammar Lesson 9: Possessive Pronouns, How to Dress Like an American
filename: tafalado_gra_09.mp3
track number: 35/46
time: 12:29
size: 8.78 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

Who would have ever guessed that Valdo and Michelle think that jeans and flip flops make a strange combination? Looks like we've just seen one more thing that makes Americans stand out. Note that this picture has got three Brazilians trying to dress like North Americans! Oh yes, and grammar-wise, we're talking about possessive pronouns. You might say, OUR comments to YOUR lesson.
Dialog
Portuguese
Michelle: Valdo, olha pra aquela menina ... veja a bolsa dela!
Valdo: O que Ã© que tem a bolsa dela? Ã parecida com a sua bolsa.
Michelle: VocÃª sabe, no Brasil a gente nunca usaria uma bolsa de paetÃª como a dela durante o dia.
Valdo: Ã verdade! Olha a calÃ§a dele ... jeans com chinelo!
Michelle: Eh, por aÃ a gente percebe a diferenÃ§a entre a roupa deles e a nossa.
Valdo: Mas esse Ã© o nosso conceito, como brasileiros, sobre a roupa deles. SerÃ¡ que aos olhos deles as suas roupas tambÃ©m nÃ£o sÃ£o um pouco bregas?
Spanish
Michelle: Valdo, mira aquella chica ... mira su bolsa.
Valdo: Â¿CuÃ¡l es el problema con su bolsa? Se parece a tu bolsa.
Michelle: TÃº sabes, en el Brasil nunca usarÃamos una bolsa de lentejuelas como la de ella durante el dÃa.
Valdo: Es verdad! Mira sus pantalones ... vaqueros con chinelas!
Michelle: Por aquÃ te das cuenta de la diferencia entre su ropa y la nuestra.
Valdo: Pero esa es nuestra idea, como brasileÃ±os, sobre su ropa. Â¿SerÃ¡ que para ellos la ropa tuya serÃa un poco rara tambiÃ©n?
English
Michelle: Valdo, look at that girl ... look at her purse!
Valdo: What wrong with her purse? I looks like your purse.
Michelle: You know, in Brazil we'd never use a sequined purse like she's got during the daytime.
Valdo: You're right! And look at her pants ... jeans with flip flops!
Michelle: Yea, around here you notice the difference between their clothing and ours.
Valdo: But that is our idea, as Brazilians, about their clothes. Don't you think that in from their perspective your clothes might seem a little tacky too?

Grammar Lesson 10: Word Order of Negative Phrases, Paying for Parties Jul 06, 2007

asset title: Grammar Lesson 10: Word Order of Negative Phrases, Paying for Parties
filename: tafalado_gra_10.mp3
track number: 36/46
time: 11:25
size: 8.02 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

'NÃ£o, nÃ£o sei nÃ£o.' This is the pattern for Brazilians, to say 'no' three times in the sentence. It's not that Valdo and Michelle are negative people, but they sure get their point across. And speaking of their point of view, if YOU invite them to a party, YOU should really pay the tab!
Dialog
Portuguese
Valdo: Michelle, vocÃª nÃ£o quer ir no aniversÃ¡rio do meu amigo? Vai ser em um restaurante aqui em Austin.
Michelle: NÃ£o, eu nÃ£o quero nÃ£o.
Valdo: Por que? CÃª nÃ£o quer comer comida boa nÃ£o?
Michelle: Querer eu quero, mas aqui, mesmo sendo convidado, a gente tem que pagar! NÃ£o, isso nÃ£o estÃ¡ certo nÃ£o!
Valdo: Eh, no Brasil nÃ£o se faz isso nÃ£o. Quem convida dÃ¡ banquete. Mas aqui Ã© assim, fazer o quÃª. VocÃª nÃ£o quer ir mesmo?
Michelle: NÃ£o, nÃ£o e nÃ£o.
Spanish
Valdo: Michelle, Â¿te gustarÃa ir a una fiesta de cumpleaÃ±os de un amigo mÃo? SerÃ¡ en un restaurante aquÃ en Austin.
Michelle: No, no quiero.
Valdo: Â¿Por quÃ©? Â¿No quieres comer buena comida?
Michelle: Querer, sÃ lo quiero, pero aquÃ, aun cuando te invitan, somos nosotros quienes tenemos que pagar. No, eso no es cierto!
Valdo: SÃ, en el Brasil no se hace asÃ. Quien invita es el que paga todo. Pero aquÃ es asÃ, Â¿quÃ© se puede hacer? Â¿De verdad no quieres ir?
Michelle: No, no quiero.
English
Valdo: Michelle, do you want to go to the birthday party of a friend of mine? It will be in a restaurant here in Austin.
Michelle: No, I don't want to.
Valdo: Why? Don't you want to eat some good food?
Michelle: I want to, but here, even if you are invited, we have to pay. No, that's not right!
Valdo: Yea, in Brazil you wouldn't do that. Whoever does the inviting provides for all. But that's the way it is here. Are you sure you don't want to go?
Michelle: No way.

Grammar Lesson 11: Topic-Comment Patterns, Special Needs Privileges Jul 16, 2007

asset title: Grammar Lesson 11: Topic-Comment Patterns, Special Needs Privileges
filename: tafalado_gra_11.mp3
track number: 37/46
time: 12:01
size: 8.46 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

Just look at that barriga! Clearly the polite thing to do, at least in Brazil, would be to have a special line at banks, post offices, and supermarkets for those that have 'special' needs. However, the other day, in this condition, with that barriga, Michelle had to wait in line at the U.S. post office just like one of the 'regular' people. Grammatically, Orlando seems to love topic-comment patterns almost too much. Is it possible that grammar is really that interesting?
Dialog
Portuguese
Michelle: VocÃª acredita que eu fiquei quase duas horas na fila do correio ontem? LÃ¡ no Brasil, as grÃ¡vidas, elas tÃªm preferÃªncia.
Valdo: Mas aqui os idosos, as grÃ¡vidas e as mulheres com crianÃ§as de colo, eles nÃ£o tÃªm prioridade nenhuma.
Michelle: Pois Ã©, ainda bem que no Brasil isso Ã© lei. Meu pai, por exemplo, ele sempre pega a fila dos idosos no banco.
Valdo: Por falar nisso, no Brasil um amigo meu, ele sempre leva a mÃ£e idosa pro banco sÃ³ pra nÃ£o pegar fila.
Michelle: Eh, no Brasil as pessoas, Ã s vezes, elas usam e abusam desse direito.
Valdo: Mas por outro lado, os cidadÃ£os americanos, eles nÃ£o tÃªm essas facilidades.
Spanish
Michelle: Â¿TÃº crees que tenÃa que esperar casi dos horas en la fila del correo ayer? En el Brasil, las mujeres embarazadas tienen preferencia.
Valdo: Pero aquÃ los mayores, las embarazadas y las mujeres que tienen niÃ±os pequeÃ±os no tienen ninguna prioridad.
Michelle: AsÃ es, lo bueno es que en el Brasil eso existe por ley. Mi papÃ¡, por ejemplo, siempre entra en la fila de los mayores de edad que hay en el banco.
Valdo: Hablando de eso, en el Brazil un amigo mÃo siempre lleva a su mamÃ¡ al banco para no tener que esperar en la fila.
Michelle: SÃ, en el Brazil, hay personas, a veces, que usan y abusan de ese derecho.
Valdo: Pero por otro lado, los ciudadanos americanos no tienen estas facilidades.
English
Michelle: Can you believe that I had to wait nearly two hours in the line at the post office yesterday? In Brazil pregnant women are given preferred treatment.
Valdo: But here the elderly, pregnant women, and women with small children don't seem to have any priority.
Michelle: Right, it's a good thing that in Brazil this is the law. My father, for example, always gets in the elderly line at that bank.
Valdo: Speaking of which, I have a friend in Brazil who always takes his elderly mother to the bank with him so that he won't have to wait in line.
Michelle: Yea, in Brazil sometimes there are people who use and abuse this right.
Valdo: But on the other hand, Americans don't have these options.

Grammar Lesson 12: Personalized Infinitive, Paying for your Education Jul 23, 2007

asset title: Grammar Lesson 12: Personalized Infinitive, Paying for your Education
filename: tafalado_gra_12.mp3
track number: 38/46
time: 13:07
size: 9.22 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

Not only are Brazilians thought of as being very friendly, now they even want to personalize their infinitive verbs! Valdo and Michelle lead the way in showing us how to do the same. Culturally, we talk about the price of education in the United States. And take a peek at this picture! Orlando's really into the Texas Pride. Hook 'em Horns!
Dialog
Portuguese
Michelle: Ã bom fazermos as contas porque esse mÃªs vai ser duro pagar a universidade.
Valdo: Quando eles mandarem o valor a gente se preocupa com isso.
Michelle: Mas Ã© importante nÃ£o esquecermos que as universidades pÃºblicas aqui nos Estados Unidos nÃ£o sÃ£o gratuitas como no Brasil.
Valdo: Pois Ã©, e como custa caro! Por isso Ã© que depois de terminarem os estudos os alunos estÃ£o todos pobres e endividados.
Michelle: Ainda bem que para as universidades pÃºblicas no Brasil sÃ³ basta passarmos no vestibular e pronto.
Valdo: Ã verdade. Para os alunos freqÃ¼entarem as universidades privadas no Brasil, eles tÃªm que pagar, mas para cursarem as pÃºblicas, que sÃ£o mantidas pelo governo, nÃ£o.
Spanish
Michelle: SerÃa bueno preparar el presupuesto porque este mes va a ser duro pagar la universidad.
Valdo: Cuando ellos mandan la cuenta nos preocupamos mucho.
Michelle: Pero es importante recordar que las universidades pÃºblicas aquÃ en los Estados Unidos no son gratuitas como en el Brasil.
Valdo: Es verdad, y quÃ© caro es! Es por eso que despuÃ©s de terminar con los estudios los alumnos estÃ¡n pobres y endeudados.
Michelle: Lo bueno de las universidades pÃºblicas en el Brasil es que nada mÃ¡s se necesita pasar el vestibular y ya.
Valdo: Es verdad. Para asistir a las universidades privadas en el Brazil, hay que pagar, pero no para matricularse en las pÃºblicas, que son mantenidas por el gobierno.
English
Michelle: It would be a good thing to do our budget because this month it is going to be tough to pay for the university.
Valdo: When they send the bill we really get worried about things.
Michelle: But it's important to remember that public universities in the United States are not for free like they are in Brazil.
Valdo: Right, and it is expensive! That's why after students are done with their studies they end up poor and in debt.
Michelle: Fortunately in public universities in Brazil you just need to past the vestibular and that's it.
Valdo: That's true. For those students who would like to attend a private university, they'll have to pay. But for those who enroll in the public ones, which are paid for by the government, they don't need to.

Grammar Lesson 13: Gender in Portuguese and Spanish, Buying Alcohol Aug 02, 2007

asset title: Grammar Lesson 13: Gender in Portuguese and Spanish, Buying Alcohol
filename: tafalado_gra_13.mp3
track number: 39/46
time: 11:33
size: 8.12 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

To be clear, we are referring to gender agreement. Get ready: although gender is 95% the same between Spanish and Portuguese, there are a few words that change. Is it o leite or a leite? O sal or a sal? O origem or a origem? Valdo and Michelle clarify things for us. Culturally, at what age can you buy alcohol in Brazil?
Dialog
Portuguese
Valdo: O leite, o mel e o sal que vocÃª pediu para eu comprar jÃ¡ estÃ£o aqui.
Michelle: E o vinho, a cerveja e a Ã¡gua, vocÃª nÃ£o trouxe? E o computador, onde estÃ¡?
Valdo: Eta, esqueci da Ã¡gua e do computador. Mas as bebidas alcoÃ³licas nÃ£o me deixaram trazer porque eu estava sem minha identidade.
Michelle: Mas como assim? Qual a origem disso?
Valdo: Pois Ã©, eles fizeram uma anÃ¡lise equivocada do meu rosto. Acharam que eu tinha menos de 21 anos.
Michelle: Mas isso Ã© um bom sinal, Valdo. Acharam que vocÃª era de menor! Mas vocÃª sabe que independente da idade vocÃª sempre tem que mostrar a identidade para comprar Ã¡lcool aqui.
Spanish
Valdo: La leche, la miel, y la sal que pidiÃ³ que comprara ya estÃ¡n aquÃ.
Michelle: Y el vino, la cerveza y el agua, Â¿no los trajiste? Y la computadora, Â¿dÃ³nde estÃ¡?
Valdo: Ay, se me olvidÃ³ el agua y la computadora. Pero no permitieron que comprara las bebidas alcohÃ³licas porque no llevaba mi identificaciÃ³n.
Michelle: Â¿Pero como asÃ? Â¿CuÃ¡l es el origen de eso?
Valdo: Pues, se equivocaron en el anÃ¡lisis de mi rostro. Pensaron que tenÃa menos de 21 aÃ±os.
Michelle: Pero eso es una buena seÃ±al Valdo. Pensaron que eras mÃ¡s joven! Y tÃº sabes que no importa la edade que tengas, hay que siempre mostrar la identificaciÃ³n para comprar alcohol aquÃ.
English
Valdo: The milk, the honey, and the salt that you asked me to buy are already here.
Michelle: And the wine, beer, and water, didn't you bring them? And the computer, where is it?
Valdo: Shoot, I forgot the water and the computer. But they didn't let me buy the alcohol because I didn't have my ID.
Michelle: What do you mean? What's going on here?
Valdo: Right, well they missed analyzed things based on my face. They thought I was less than 21 years old.
Michelle: But that's a good sign Valdo. They thought you were younger! But you know that it doesn't matter how old you are, you always have to show ID to by alcohol here.

Grammar Lesson 14: Absence of Direct Object Pronouns, Mobile Homes Sep 13, 2007

asset title: Grammar Lesson 14: Absence of Direct Object Pronouns, Mobile Homes
filename: tafalado_gra_14.mp3
track number: 40/46
time: 10:24
size: 7.32 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

OK, so you are driving down the freeway and you see a semi going 70 mph and there is a mobile home being pulled along. Well, yes, I do see why that would seem rather shocking to a Brazilian. Thanks go to Valdo and Michelle for making that observation. Grammar-wise, we are also going to talk about dropping direct object pronouns. Better to drop pronouns than mobile homes from semis!
Dialog
Portuguese
Michelle: VocÃª viu aquele caminhÃ£o levando aquela casa inteirinha?
Valdo: Vi sim. Que coisa, nÃ©?
Michelle: Pois Ã©, a primeira vez que vi tomei um susto. VocÃª compraria aquela casa pra vocÃª?
Valdo: NÃ£o, nÃ£o compraria nÃ£o. Prefiro a minha casa de concreto no Brasil que estÃ¡ bem presa ao chÃ£o. E vocÃª transportaria sua casa assim com tudo dentro?
Michelle: Transportaria sim. Por que? VocÃª nÃ£o gosta desse sistema nÃ£o?
Valdo: NÃ£o gosto muito nÃ£o. Como jÃ¡ te disse, prefiro minha casa bem presa ao chÃ£o.
Spanish
Michelle: Â¿Viste tÃº aquel camiÃ³n llevando aquella casa entera?
Valdo: SÃ lo vi. QuÃ© cosa, Â¿verdad?
Michelle: Pues, la primera vez que lo vi, me asustÃ©. Â¿ComprarÃas tÃº aquella casa?
Valdo: No, no la comprarÃa. Prefiero que mi casa en Brasil sea de concreto y que estÃ© bien fijada en el suelo. Â¿TransportarÃas tÃº la casa asÃ con todo adentro?
Michelle: SÃ, la transportarÃa. Â¿Por quÃ©? Â¿A ti no te gusta el sistema?
Valdo: No me gusta mucho. Como ya te dije, prefiero una casa que estÃ© en el suelo.
English
Michelle: Did you see that truck carrying that whole house?
Valdo: I did see it. How weird, huh?
Michelle: Yeah, the first time that I saw one it surprised me. Would you ever buy that house for you?
Valdo: No, I wouldn't buy it. I prefer a concrete home in Brazil that is well attached to the ground. And would you transport your house like that with every thing in it?
Michelle: Yes, I would transport it. Why? Don't you like the system here?
Valdo: No, I don't like it a lot. As I already told you, I prefer my house to be stuck to the ground.

Grammar Lesson 15: False Cognates, Driver's License Sep 18, 2007

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: VocÃª tirou sua carteira de motorista aqui no Texas?
Michelle: Tirei sim. E logo comecei a dirigir pra todos os lugares.
Valdo: VocÃª nÃ£o ficou surpresa ao saber que aqui se consegue a carteira aos 16 anos? Porque no Brasil sÃ³ a partir dos 18. E o seu teste, vocÃª foi bem?
Michelle: VocÃª acredita que eu coloquei meu apelido no computador ao invÃ©s do meu nome e sobrenome?
Valdo: Ah, Ã© que vocÃª ainda estava grÃ¡vida! VocÃª nÃ£o ficou embarassada em dirigir no dia do teste com aquele barrigÃ£o?
Michelle: Claro que nÃ£o! Eu atÃ© freqÃ¼entei a universidade grÃ¡vida.
Spanish
Valdo: Â¿Sacaste tÃº la licencia de conducir aquÃ en Texas?
Michelle: SÃ, la saquÃ©. Y despuÃ©s empecÃ© a manejar por todos los lugares.
Valdo: Â¿No te sorprendiste al saber que aquÃ se consigue la licencia a los 16 aÃ±os de edad? Porque en el Brasil sÃ³lo a partir de los 18. Y tu examen, Â¿cÃ³mo saliste?
Michelle: Â¿Puedes creer que puse mi sobrenombre en la computadora en lugar de mi nombre y apellido?
Valdo: Y todavÃa estabas embarazada! Â¿No te avergonzaste en manejar el dÃa del examen con esa barriga?
Michelle: Claro que no! Yo tambiÃ©n asistÃ 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.

Grammar Lesson 16: Placement of Indirect Pronouns, Greeting Friends Sep 24, 2007

asset title: Grammar Lesson 16: Placement of Indirect Pronouns, Greeting Friends
filename: tafalado_gra_16.mp3
track number: 42/46
time: 12:33
size: 8.82 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

In this lesson, Michelle claims that most people give women one kiss on the cheek when greeting and when saying goodbye. Valdo thinks that it is more common to give two kisses, one on each cheek. And there are even places where a third kiss is given. How difficult can it get? As to grammar, years ago Orlando was once caught saying, in Spanish, MarÃa quiere me ayudar. To his surprise he found out that Spanish speakers are not supposed to put the indirect pronoun 'me' between the verbs. So, for you who are learning Portuguese, you get to learn the opposite: in Portuguese the pronoun goes between the auxiliary and main verb. There is no problem in saying, Maria quer me ajudar.
Dialog
Portuguese
Michelle: Quando alguÃ©m vai nos apresentar a outra pessoa aqui nos Estados Unidos, o que acontece?
Valdo: Aqui, mesmo que as pessoas queiram te beijar nÃ£o Ã© o costume. O mÃ¡ximo que elas vÃ£o fazer Ã© te estender a mÃ£o.
Michelle: Pois Ã©, no Brasil as pessoas sÃ£o mais informais. Elas jÃ¡ vÃ£o nos beijando e abraÃ§ando logo de cara.
Valdo: EntÃ£o, e Ã© atÃ© engraÃ§ado Ã s vezes porque elas vÃªm me dar um beijo e eu estou acostumado com dois.
Michelle: Ã verdade! E dependendo da regiÃ£o do Brasil Ã© atÃ© trÃªs. Pra vocÃª ver que quando os americanos vÃªm nos cumprimentar, a gente sempre espera algo mais informal.
Valdo: Nem espere! Aqui nos Estados Unidos as pessoas sÃ£o bem mais formais do que no Brasil, muitas vezes elas nem vÃ£o te tocar e jÃ¡ estÃ£o dizendo: desculpa, com licenÃ§a, por favor, sinto muito ...
Spanish
Michelle: Cuando alguien nos va a presentar a otra persona aquÃ en los Estados Unidos, Â¿quÃ© sucede?
Valdo: AquÃ, aunque las personas quieran besarte, eso no es la costumbre. Lo mÃ¡ximo que van a hacer es extenderte la mano.
Michelle: Pues, en el Brasil las personas son mÃ¡s informales. Eloas andan besÃ¡ndonos y abrazÃ¡ndonos desde luego.
Valdo: SÃ, y es un poco chistoso a veces porque ellos vienen a darme un beso y estoy acostumbrado a recibir dos.
Michelle: Es verdad. Y dependiendo de la regiÃ³n en el Brasil hay hasta tres. VerÃ¡s que cuando los americanos vienen a saludarnos, nosotros siempre esperamos algo mÃ¡s informal.
Valdo: Ni lo esperes! AquÃ en los Estados Unidos las personas son mucho mÃ¡s formales que en el Brasil, muchas veces ni siquiera te tocan y luego ya estÃ¡n diciendo: perdona, con permiso, por favor, siento mucho ...
English
Michelle: When someone wants to introduce us to another person here in the United States, how is that done?
Valdo: Here, even if the people want to give you a kiss, that's not the custom. The most they will do is to hold out their hand to you.
Michelle: You're right, in Brazil people are more informal. Everyone is kissing and hugging each other right away.
Valdo: Yea, and it's kind of funny sometimes because they come to give me a kiss and I'm used to getting two.
Michelle: That's true. And depending on the region in Brasil you can even have three. So you see that when Americans greet us, we're always expecting something more informal.
Valdo: Don't wait for that! Here in the United States people are much more formal than in Brazil, many times they barely even touch you and they are already saying: sorry, excuse me, please, I'm sorry ...

filename: tafalado_gra_17.mp3
track number: 43/46
time: 9:44
size: 6.85 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

Spanish speakers who are used to saying tampoco will now have to learn how to say tambÃ©m nÃ£o in Portuguese. It just sounds cute somehow. Culturally, Michelle and Valdo talk about all the things that are offered online in the United States, much more than in Brazil. In this lesson we also mention the sensitive subject of toll roads in Austin, Texas. We are still getting used to the idea, so forgive us if we're a little touchy about it. It may be common in other places, but we still don't like it, even if you can make payments online!
Dialog
Portuguese
Valdo: Esse fim de semana eu tive que renovar os livros que eu tomei emprestado da biblioteca.
Michelle: Que coincidÃªncia, eu renovei os meus tambÃ©m. Ainda bem que aqui a gente pode fazer isso online.
Valdo: Ã verdade! Aqui nos Estados Unidos as pessoas usam a Internet tambÃ©m pra pagar contas, comprar coisas, pedir filmes, fazer lista de presentes ...
Michelle: Mas infelizmente nÃ£o consegui fazer minha matrÃcula para o prÃ³ximo semestre porque o sistema estava fora do ar.
Valdo: Que interessante, eu tambÃ©m nÃ£o consegui. A hora que eu tentei estava fora do ar tambÃ©m.
Michelle: Pois Ã©, e eu tambÃ©m nÃ£o pude pagar o pedÃ¡gio online. Vou ver se faÃ§o isso hoje Ã noite.
Spanish
Valdo: Este fin de semana yo tuve que renovar algunos libros que tomÃ© emprestado de la biblioteca.
Michelle: QuÃ© coincidencia, yo tambiÃ©n renovÃ© los mÃos. Que bueno que aquÃ se pueda hacer eso online.
Valdo: Es verdad! AquÃ en los Estados Unidos las personas usan el Internet tambiÃ©n para pagar las cuentas, comprar cosas, pedir pelÃculas, hacer listas de regalos ...
Michelle: Pero infelizmente no pude hacer la matrÃcula para el prÃ³ximo semestre porque el sistema no estaba funcionando.
Valdo: QuÃ© interesante, yo tampoco lo conseguÃ. Cuando intentÃ© el sistema tampoco funcionaba.
Michelle: Pues, yo tampoco pude pagar el peeaje online, veremos si lo consigo esta noche.
English
Valdo: This weekend I had to renew some books that I borrowed from the library.
Michelle: What a coincidence, I renewed my books too. It's a good thing that here you can do that online.
Valdo: It's true! Here in the United States people also use the Internet to pay bills, buy things, order movies, make gift lists ...
Michelle: But unfortunately I couldn't register for next semester's classes because the system wasn't working.
Valdo: How interesting, I couldn't do it either. When I tried things weren't working either.
Michelle: Yea, I couldn't pay the toll either, we'll see if I can do it tonight.

Grammar Lesson 18: Word Order, Buses and Services Nov 26, 2007

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 Ã´nibus.
Valdo: Pois Ã©, aqui nos Estados Unidos tem lugares especÃficos nos Ã´nibus pra carregar bicicletas.
Michelle: Eh, e sobram motivos aqui para as pessoas levarem suas bicicletas na frente dos Ã´nibus e irem sentadas.
Valdo: Ã 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 Ã´nibus.
Valdo: Puxa, falta sÃ³ esse serviÃ§o para o transporte pÃºblico no Brasil ficar Ã³timo.
Spanish
Michelle: Yo creo que es interesante que existen personas que ponen su bicicleta en frente de los autobuses.
Valdo: SÃ, aquÃ en los Estados Unidos hay lugares especÃficos en los autobuses para llevar bicicletas
Michelle: SÃ y eso les dÃ¡ el incentivo a las personas aquÃ para que lleven su bicicleta en frente del autobÃºs 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: AdemÃ¡s, siempre surge algo imprevisto que hace que se prefiera el confort del aire condicionado del autobÃºs.
Valdo: Caramba, nos falta ese servicio para el transporte pÃºblico 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.

Grammar Lesson 19: Present Perfect, Naming People Dec 04, 2007

asset title: Grammar Lesson 19: Present Perfect, Naming People
filename: tafalado_gra_19.mp3
track number: 45/46
time: 16:09
size: 11.36 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

One of life's great mysteries is if a Brazilian marries someone from Venezuela, how do you figure out what their official name will be? We ought to be politicians because we spend the whole lesson talking about last names, middle names, and given names, but we never actually answer the question! In this lesson Michelle talks about what it has been like to explain her daughter's full name. Americans get a little confused. As to the grammar, we discuss the difference between phrases like 'have you been eating lately' and 'have you ever eaten before.'
Dialog
Portuguese
Valdo: O que vocÃª tem percebido de diferente nesses Ãºltimos tempos em relaÃ§Ã£o a gravidez e filhos aqui nos Estados Unidos?
Michelle: Eu tenho visto ultimamente que a questÃ£o dos nomes Ã© bem diferente do que no Brasil.
Valdo: VocÃª jÃ¡ teve problemas com isso alguma vez?
Michelle: JÃ¡ tive, sim. Eu tenho tido dificuldade recentemente em explicar para as pessoas aqui que minha filha tem dois sobrenomes.
Valdo: Eh, vocÃª tem que se acostumar com isso, porque aqui as pessoas sempre tÃªm usado o sistema de nome do meio e Ãºltimo nome em vez de sÃ³ sobrenomes.
Michelle: E Ã© isso que Ã© confuso aqui. Em todos os lugares que eu tenho ido nesses Ãºltimos meses as pessoas nÃ£o entendem que minha filha nÃ£o tem o segundo nome.
Spanish
Valdo: Â¿QuÃ© has notado de diferente en esos Ãºltimos tiempos en relaciÃ³n a la gravidez y los hijos acÃ¡ en los Estados Unidos?
Michelle: He notado Ãºltimamente que la cuestiÃ³n de nombres es muy diferente que en el Brasil.
Valdo: Â¿Has tenido problemas alguna vez con eso?
Michelle: SÃ, Recientemente he tenido dificultades en explicarles a las otras personas que mi hija tiene dos apellidos.
Valdo: SÃ, hay que acostumbrarte con eso, porque aquÃ las personas han usado el sistema de usar un segundo nombre y apellido en vez de dos apellidos.
Michelle: Es eso lo que me confunde aquÃ. En todos los lugares que he ido estos Ãºltimos meses, las personas no entienden que mi hija no tiene un segundo nombre.
English
Valdo: Have you been noticing anything different lately as related to pregnancy and having children here in the United States?
Michelle: Lately I've been noticing that the issue of names has been very different from in Brazil.
Valdo: Have you ever had any problems with this?
Michelle: Yes I have. Lately I've had some problems in explaining to people here that my daughter has two last names.
Valdo: Yes, you need to get used to that, because here people have used the a system where they have a second name and a last name instead of two last names.
Michelle: That is exactly what confuses me here. In all the places I've gone during these last few months, people don't understand why my daughter doesn't have a second name.

Grammar Lesson 20: This Just Isn't Spanish, Adapting to Handicapped Dec 11, 2007

asset title: Grammar Lesson 20: This Just Isn't Spanish, Adapting to Handicapped
filename: tafalado_gra_20.mp3
track number: 46/46
time: 11:03
size: 7.77 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

Oh man, where did this word come from? After a whole series of lessons in pronunciation and grammar ... and now we learn a whole bunch of words where Spanish and Portuguese are totally different. If TÃ¡ Falado is supposed to show learners the similarities between these two languages, well, this lesson just won't do that. Today Michelle and Valdo give as words like embora, ainda, rapaz, jeito, cedo, and tomara. It is true that Spanish and Portuguese are similar in many ways. However, today we look at the words that are not similar at all.
Dialog
Portuguese
Michelle: Rapaz! VocÃª viu aquele cara na cadeira de rodas entrando no Ã´nibus hoje cedo?
Valdo: Vi sim. Acho interessante esse jeito que os americanos tÃªm de lidar com as pessoas com necessidades especiais, adaptando as ruas e os Ã´nibus.
Michelle: Pois Ã©, aqui as poltronas se fecham e as portas dos Ã´nibus se abaixam pra acomodar as pessoas.
Valdo: Embora no Brasil os Ã´nibus nÃ£o tenham tantas adaptaÃ§Ãµes, ninguÃ©m pode reclamar porque o sistema de transporte pÃºblico Ã© bom.
Michelle: TÃ¡, mas deixa eu fazer uma fofoca que talvez vocÃª nÃ£o se lembre: no Brasil nÃ£o tem ar nos Ã´nibus, a gente tem que abrir as janelas pra ventilarse.
Valdo: Por outro lado, tem o calor humano. As pessoas podem atÃ© deitar umas em cima das outras de tÃ£o cheio que Ã s vezes os Ã´nibus ficam. TÃ¡ vendo... pra que melhorar?
Spanish
Michelle: Chico, Â¿viste tÃº aquella persona en la silla de ruedas que estaba entrando en el autobÃºs temprano esta maÃ±ana?
Valdo: SÃ, lo vi. Pienso que es interesante esta manera que tienen los norteamericanos de ayudar a las personas que tienen necesidades especiales, adaptando las calles y los autobuses.
Michelle: Pues, aquÃ las poltronas se cierran y las puertas de los autobuses se bajan para acomodar a las personas.
Valdo: A pesar de que en el Brasil los autobuses no tengan tantas adaptaciones, nadie va a reclamar por que el sistema de transporte pÃºblico es bueno.
Michelle: SÃ, pero cuidado en no exagerar porque tal vez no te acuerdes pero en el Brasil no hay aire condicionado en los autobuses. Hay que abrir las ventanas para ventilar.
Valdo: Por otro lado, existe un calor humano. Las personas pueden hasta descansar unas encima de las otras porque a veces los autobuses anda muy llenos. Lo ves, Â¿para quÃ© mejorar?
English
Michelle: Man, did you see that guy in the wheel chair getting into the bus early this morning?
Valdo: I did see him. I think it's interesting the way that Americans take care of people who have special needs, changing the streets and the busses.
Michelle: I know, here the seats close up and the doors of the bus can be lowered to accommodate the people.
Valdo: Although Brazil doesn't have busses that have such adaptations, nobody complains because the public transportation system is so good.
Michelle: Right, but don't go too far with these stories because maybe you have forgotten that the buses in Brazil don't have air conditioning, you've got to open the window to get some air.
Valdo: On the other hand, you've got human warmth. People even end up lying on top of one another because the buses en up so full sometimes. You see, what is there to improve?

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Tá Falado: Brazilian Portuguese Pronunciation for Speakers of Spanish

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