Portuguese is a world language spoken by millions of people around the globe. Its status as a world language is largely thanks to its former status as the third most-spoken language in Europe after English and Spanish. Portuguese is also one of the five most-used languages in the world on Facebook. These days, however, Portuguese may only be known to a few people as the language of “The Borgias,” the Renaissance-era family saga that was made into a popular TV show back in the 2010s.
The question is: does Robert Pattinson speak Portuguese?
Yes, the 26-year-old British singer-songwriter does, in fact, speak Portuguese. He picked up the language while filming the upcoming movie “Embrace of the Vampire,” which is currently in post-production and will premiere in theaters sometime this year.
Pattinson spoke with Vogue about his experience with Portuguese in a recent interview.
“I’ve always been fascinated with Latin languages,” says the British actor, “and when I got the opportunity to study a foreign language, I jumped at the chance to learn Portuguese.”
Pattinson went on to explain that he was initially approached by a casting agent from Portugal who had heard of his interest in studying the language. He was then asked to come to Portugal to make some informal recordings with native Portuguese speakers. The Portuguese agency then asked him if he would be interested in making a full-fledged recording of his own in Portuguese in order to help promote the country as a travel destination and learn more about its culture and cuisine.
Pattinson agreed and was even given a crash course in Portuguese by the country’s top linguist. He spent a week in Portugal after the initial informal recordings, and upon his return to England shot a scene for “Embrace of the Vampire” in which he is seen speaking Portuguese with a native speaker. The scene was later cut due to technical reasons, but it shows that Portuguese was not an act, and that it is in fact, one of the actor’s best-kept secrets.
In case you were wondering, here are some fun facts about Portuguese that you might not know.
Did you know that Portugal is one of the worlds’ top ten most-visited countries?
Yes, Portugal is one of the top ten most-visited countries in the world. In 2017, it was the third-most visited country (after France and Spain), with 81.3 million annual visitors. That’s 4.9 million more visits than in 2016. If this trend continues, Portugal could become Europe’s next big tourist destination. Already popular with Europeans for its wine and fishing, the country is making a name for itself as a destination for classical music fans due to its world-class festivals. In fact, the country is home to some of the most important opera houses in Europe. Perhaps one of the reasons behind Portugal’s growing appeal is its cuisine. The country is most well-known for its pork products (especially salami and sausages), green olives, and spicy chorizo. If you like Italian food, you’ll love Portugal. In fact, Portugal is often referred to as the “little italya” due to its abundance of pasta, pizza, and other Italian food-related products. To learn more, check out this helpful article by the Associated Press that recommends ten must-visit destinations worldwide based on the number of visitors they receive each year.
How many words does the British accent put in Portuguese?
This is a great question, and one that will keep linguists busy for years to come. According to research, there are about 220 words and phrases that the British accent puts in Portuguese. The accent is considered one of the hardest in the world to master because of how frequently it is used (particularly in informal settings). Many English words have multiple forms, depending on how they are used. For example, “literally” is used in two different ways: literally and truly.
The difference is subtle, but it is there. If you listen closely, you can tell the difference between the two sentences “The dog was literally barking,” and “The dog truly barked.” Another example is “all-time favorite” and “favoritism.” If you ask someone what their favorite movie is, they may respond with “All-time favorite,” but if you ask them about a specific scene from that movie, they may say “favoritism.” The British accent makes words like these a bit more formal, for example, “favoritism” would sound more like “fa zourmatismo.”
These words and phrases represent just a small portion of the British accent in Portuguese. For a comprehensive list, check out this article by the British Council. One fact you should know is that many English words have a different meaning in British English compared to American English. For example, “actually” and “actuality” have a different meaning in British English compared to American English. In British English, “actually” means “in reality” or “in fact” while “actuality” means “the activity or state of being actual.”
Where does the expression “dry-cleaning service” come from?
The expression “dry-cleaning service” comes from Australia and New Zealand where people traditionally get their clothes cleaned during a special ceremony that is part of their wedding clothing collection. The clothes are placed in a washing machine with detergents made from sheep’s wool, and then washed and dried. When the clothes are retrieved from the dry cleaner, they are put on a wooden rack which is then carried to a car for the bride’s transport home. This is how the practice has remained for over a century in Australia and New Zealand. However, today, the expression “dry-cleaning service” is most often used in the United Kingdom where, since the early 20th century, people have washed and dried their clothes at home. In fact, if you go to any major British urban center today, you’ll likely find at least one dry cleaner located in the corner of a building. You can also ask for a pick-up bag when you make your appointment so you can retrieve your clothes at the end of the day.
Who are the biggest box-office stars in Portugal?
Portugal is a large country in southwestern Europe, bordering with Spain, and is one of the world’s top ten most-visited countries. Every year, thousands of tourists flock to Portugal to visit its famous beaches, sample its world-class cuisine, and see its beautiful historic towns and cities. Naturally, with so much popularity comes money, particularly now that the country is emerging as a hub for Hollywood production. Here’s a list of the top ten highest-paid actors in Portugal.
1) Joaquim de Almeida – $11.75 million
2) Filipe Luquin – $10.5 million
3) Hugo Silva – $8.75 million
4) Ricardo Trevino – $7.5 million
5) António Lopes – $7.25 million
6) Ricardo Antunes – $6.25 million
7) Hugo Viana – $5.75 million
8) Jorge Mendes – $5 million
9) João Pedro Silva – $4.5 million
10) Rui Silva – $4 million
What is the difference between a bull and a bovine?
The Portuguese word for “cow” is “bovine.” A “bull” is a male bovine while a “heifer” is a female bovine that has not yet given birth to a calf.
The word “bovine” is derived from the Latin word “boves” which means “a beast with two long horns that are raised up on high.”
Bovines are also known as “ruminants” which comes from the Latin word “ruminare” meaning “to chew the cud.” This is probably because bovines nibble the grasses as they graze. This habit made the Romans believe that bovines could talk. Of course, this is not true. While bovines cannot talk, they do produce some of the world’s most pungent smells as a byproduct of their digestive system.