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European Portuguese (português europeu in Portuguese) refers to the variety of Portuguese spoken mainly in Europe, primarily in Portugal. European Portuguese serves as the norm of reference for lusophone nations and regions in the eastern hemisphere.
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Geographic variation
The two main divisions of European Portuguese differenciate between the Portuguese Islands (Madeira, the Azores etc.) and mainland Portugal(Continental Portuguese). Continental Portuguese is in turn divided roughly into Northern and Southern varieties. The Prestige norms are based around two varieties: that of Coimbra and that of Lisbon.
Portuguese is spoken by a significant minority in Andorra and Luxembourg. The Principality of Andorra has shown interest in membership in the CPLP. There are also wealthy immigrant communities in France and Germany.
The prominence of European Portuguese
Portugal maintained its colonial rule over its old world empire a lot longer than it did over Brazil. Thus European Portuguese is the norm of reference for African and Asian lusophone spaces. Portugal remains a destination for postsecondary education for the elites of these places. In Europe, European Portuguese remains the learning standard for p.l.e. (Portuguese as a second language).
The Instituto Camões is an organization which promotoes not only the Portuguese language but also Portuguese culture. Thus, it promotes Continental Portuguese as a norm for learners.
RTPi is the Portuguese counterpart of the BBC and also serves as a vehicle for European Portuguese providing media content throughout the world.
In estimating the size of the speech community for European Portuguese, one must take into account the consequences of the Portuguese Diaspora: Immigrant communities located throughout the world in the Americas, Australia, Europe and Africa.
See also
External links
- Description of the pronunciation rules of European Portuguese
- Description of the pronunciation rules of Brazilian Portuguese
- Article on variation in European Portuguese
- On gerund clauses of Portuguese dialects
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- This page was last modified on 17 December 2008, at 22:14.
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