The orthographic agreement of 1990 will be the focus of this term paper. The first chapter will note important historical events regarding previous orthographic agreements between Portugal and Brazil, as well as the orthographic agreement of 1990. The most significant changes in the Portuguese orthography in relation to the orthographic agreement of 1990 will be presented in the second chapter. Particularly changes in the alphabet, spelling, the use of diacritical marks, as well as the use of majuscule and minuscule will be analyzed. Exceptions in the latest orthographic agreement, which allow bilateral spellings, will also be discussed in the second chapter. For clarification, there will be given several examples in the aforesaid chapter on how certain words were written before the orthographic agreement and after the orthographic agreement. The third chapter will deal with the multiple aspects, as well as the advantages and disadvantages that are connected to the orthographic agreement of 1990. Not only linguistic aspects, but also cultural and political aspects will be discussed in that chapter. Subsequently, there will be an analysis of how this reformation of the Portuguese language might evolve in the future and what this development means for native speakers of the Portuguese language, as well as Portuguese L2 speakers.
Portuguese is with approximately 240 million speakers the second most spoken Romance language in the world. It is an official language in Portugal, Brazil, Cape Verde Islands, Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, East Timor, Macau and São Tomé and Príncipe. Furthermore, it possesses a co-official status in Equatorial Guinea, as well as a significant cultural presence in Goa, India. Portuguese is the only Romance language that works with two different orthographies. There is the Brazilian orthography, which is used exclusively in Brazil, and the lusophone orthography, which is used in all other Portuguese-speaking areas. These circumstances have been a reason for political and cultural conflict in the past two centuries, especially between Brazil and Portugal, although there have been several approaches to unify both orthographies, a complete orthographic unification has never been achieved.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The History of Orthographic Standardizations in the Portuguese Language
- The Orthographic Agreement of 1990: Significant Changes in the Portuguese Orthography
- Changes in the Alphabet
- Changes in the Spelling
- Changes in the Use of Diacritical Marks
- Changes for the Use of Majuscule and Minuscule
- A Controversial Reformation: Debating the Orthographic Agreement
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This term paper focuses on the 1990 Orthographic Agreement for the Portuguese language, analyzing its historical context, significant changes, and ensuing controversies. It aims to explore the linguistic, cultural, and political implications of this reform, examining its impact on both native and non-native speakers.
- Historical development of Portuguese orthography.
- Specific changes introduced by the 1990 agreement.
- Linguistic consequences of the orthographic reform.
- Cultural and political implications of the agreement.
- The ongoing debate surrounding the 1990 agreement.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This introductory section establishes the context of the study by highlighting the global prevalence of the Portuguese language and its unique characteristic of possessing two distinct orthographies—Brazilian and Lusophone. It succinctly introduces the 1990 Orthographic Agreement as the central focus of the paper, outlining the structure and objectives of the subsequent chapters. The introduction effectively sets the stage for a detailed exploration of the historical, linguistic, and socio-political dimensions of this significant linguistic event.
1. The History of Orthographic Standardizations in the Portuguese Language: This chapter delves into the historical evolution of Portuguese orthography, contrasting it with the more centralized standardization processes of other Romance languages. It highlights key figures and events, such as the contributions of José Barbosa de Leão and Aniceto dos Reis Gonçalves Viana, and the 1911 reform, emphasizing the complexities of unifying the orthography across diverse Portuguese-speaking regions. The chapter meticulously analyzes the political and cultural factors underlying the persistent challenges in achieving orthographic unification, focusing on the diverging paths of Portuguese orthography in Portugal and Brazil. The influence of colonial dynamics and the development of distinct national identities are explored as crucial elements in shaping the linguistic landscape.
2. The Orthographic Agreement of 1990: Significant Changes in the Portuguese Orthography: This chapter provides a detailed analysis of the substantial modifications introduced by the 1990 Orthographic Agreement. It examines alterations to the alphabet, spelling conventions, the use of diacritical marks, and capitalization rules. The chapter also addresses exceptions and bilateral spellings, providing concrete examples illustrating how specific words changed their written form before and after the agreement (B.O.A. and A.O.A.). This comprehensive examination meticulously dissects the intricate details of the reform, offering a clear understanding of its impact on the written language.
3. A Controversial Reformation: Debating the Orthographic Agreement: This chapter explores the various perspectives and debates surrounding the 1990 Orthographic Agreement. It delves into the linguistic, cultural, and political ramifications of the reform, examining both its advantages and disadvantages. The chapter analyzes the multifaceted impact of the agreement, considering its effects on different Portuguese-speaking communities and the ongoing discussions about its effectiveness and long-term consequences for language users. The chapter thoughtfully investigates the implications for both native and non-native speakers, showcasing the diverse perspectives surrounding this major language reform.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Portuguese orthography, orthographic agreement of 1990, linguistic standardization, language reform, Brazil, Portugal, Lusophone orthography, cultural impact, political implications, diacritical marks, spelling changes, alphabet changes.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of the 1990 Portuguese Orthographic Agreement
What is the main topic of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of the 1990 Orthographic Agreement for the Portuguese language. It examines the historical context, significant changes implemented, and the resulting controversies surrounding this major linguistic reform.
What aspects of the 1990 Orthographic Agreement are covered?
The document covers various aspects, including the historical development of Portuguese orthography leading up to the agreement, a detailed analysis of the specific changes introduced (alphabet, spelling, diacritical marks, capitalization), and a discussion of the ensuing debates and controversies surrounding its implementation and impact.
What is the purpose of this document?
The purpose is to provide a structured and professional analysis of the 1990 Portuguese Orthographic Agreement, exploring its linguistic, cultural, and political implications. It aims to offer a deep understanding of the reform's impact on both native and non-native speakers of Portuguese.
What are the key themes explored in this document?
Key themes include the historical development of Portuguese orthography, the specific changes introduced by the 1990 agreement, the linguistic consequences of the reform, its cultural and political implications, and the ongoing debate surrounding the agreement's effectiveness and lasting impact.
What are the key changes introduced by the 1990 Orthographic Agreement?
The agreement brought about significant changes to the Portuguese alphabet, spelling conventions, the use of diacritical marks, and capitalization rules. The document details these changes with specific examples.
What is the historical context of the 1990 Orthographic Agreement?
The document explores the historical evolution of Portuguese orthography, highlighting previous standardization attempts and the challenges of unifying the orthography across different Portuguese-speaking regions (particularly Portugal and Brazil). It emphasizes the political and cultural factors that have influenced the development of Portuguese orthography.
What are the controversies surrounding the 1990 Orthographic Agreement?
The document analyzes the various perspectives and debates surrounding the agreement, examining both its perceived advantages and disadvantages. It discusses the multifaceted impact on different Portuguese-speaking communities and the ongoing discussions about its effectiveness and long-term consequences.
Who would find this document useful?
This document would be beneficial for academics, researchers, students of linguistics and Portuguese language, and anyone interested in language reform and standardization. The structured and professional approach makes it suitable for academic use and analysis.
What are the key words associated with this document?
Key words include Portuguese orthography, orthographic agreement of 1990, linguistic standardization, language reform, Brazil, Portugal, Lusophone orthography, cultural impact, political implications, diacritical marks, spelling changes, and alphabet changes.
Where can I find chapter summaries?
The document includes concise summaries for each chapter: Introduction, The History of Orthographic Standardizations in the Portuguese Language, The Orthographic Agreement of 1990: Significant Changes in the Portuguese Orthography, and A Controversial Reformation: Debating the Orthographic Agreement.
- Quote paper
- Yasmin Barrachini-Haß (Author), 2013, The Orthographic Reformation of the Portuguese Language. The Orthographic Agreement of 1990 and Its Linguistic, Cultural and Political Consequences, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/320536