In other words, Portuguese is so much more than a language, and understanding this requires familiarizing yourself with the basics of its history.
When I think of the word Portuguese, It takes me back to the moment when I first heard that word uttered. My response was “what’s Portuguese?” Though time and experience has increased my knowledge of this country with its language and culture, I still find myself seeking a deeper understanding and answer to that question, “What really is Portuguese?”
Portugal’s name is derived from the city of Oporto. Located there was a Roman trading community near the Douro River, Portucalle, meaning Port of Call. Portugal is located in the most southwestern part of Europe‘s mainland- the Iberian Peninsula, Which encompasses Portugal, Spain, Andorra, Gilbraltar and a small section of France. Portugal shares its northern and eastern borders with Spain and on the west and south it boarders the Atlantic Ocean.
The Portuguese were the first European power to launch their people and language, across the Atlantic into a new world. Portuguese is a Romance language and is the eighth most spoken language, and the third most spoken European language in the world. And is the primary language spoken in Portugal and Brazil.
Portugal’s location was well suited for its sea explorations. Apparently, the fishing fleets & pirates were the first to utilize what was then “new technology”-- Sea going ships powered by sail, equipped with a magnetic compass, a portolan chart (providing them with sailing directions from point to point), as well as their increased knowledge of prevailing winds which enabled them to travel far and wide, and have direct access to distant worlds.
Yet, this was only a foretaste of what was yet to come. Eventually this became a significant means to import and increase prosperity of the Portuguese empire.
Shortly after Columbus’s first expedition and new found discoveries Portugal challenged Castile’s (Spain) rights to the lands. In 1494 the dispute was resolved when Portugal and Spain signed the Treaty of Tordesillas, dividing the land west of the South Atlantic. Thus, Portugal was granted the rights to the lands east of the meridian, which included Brazil. The timing was significant and proved to be beneficial for Portugal. National imperialism was growing along with economic competition and it was through the establishments of trade routes that countries were seeking wealth.
Vasco da Gama is created for accomplishing one of the greatest navigational achievements for Portugal--discovering a sea route to India---securing direct access to its extraordinary merchandise. This eliminated many of the middlemen or merchants such as Muslims and Arabs that had had control of trade for centuries.
Promptly taking advantage of their new Indian opportunity they set course to Africa, happening upon a new discovery--Brazil. They now had the opportunity to build an empire in the New World, establishing trade routes abroad. This provided exclusive access to the most luxurious market of earlier times- bringing wealth to its empire.
It was early in the sixteenth century that the Portuguese language began to be heard all around the coast of Africa, southern Asia, and for the first time on the shores of Brazil.
The events in Portugal’s history provide greater knowledge of the many ways their language was extended to many lands. Ocean traveling merchants played a major role in spreading the Portuguese language- having communities widespread off the African and Asian coast- leading to international communication. A language was seen as a tool for transacting business. Today, European languages even now are often used as a second language in commerce and government.
Unfortunately, Portugal’s commerce included the slave trade. Millions of African slaves were sent to the Americas, largely to Brazil. These slaves were unable to take their mother tongue with them, and they were forced to learn of the language of their new masters--Portuguese. Additionally, their offspring would learn to speak only the new tongue.
The use of technology was fundamental in establishing Portugal as we know it today. Although it was basic by comparison of the ever-increasing technology available today,it was a means to exploration leading to prosperity and expansion of its empire.
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Desiree C. was a contributor to this article.