That's how I learned to understand Portuguese [Story Time] PORT/ENG

I don't remember if I've ever shared this story with you, but since I remembered it today while watching a television program, I took it as a sign to share it, and in this way make it known to those who don't know it and learn that we never know where the roads will take us until we arrive, I never imagined that I could understand a language other than my own or the one I studied (English) or that I could like the culture of a country I've never visited so much. >Não me lembro se já compartilhei essa história com vocês, mas como me lembrei dela hoje por causa de um programa de televisão que estava assistindo, interpretei como um sinal para compartilhá-la e, assim, torná-la conhecida por aqueles que não a conhecem, para que saibam que nunca sabemos para onde os caminhos nos levarão até chegarmos lá. Nunca imaginei que pudesse entender uma língua diferente da minha ou daquela que estudei (inglês) ou que pudesse gostar tanto da cultura de um país que nunca visitei.

I have always enjoyed Brazilian soap operas. I grew up watching them because they were very popular in my country (Venezuela): El Rey del Ganado, Tieta, Cambalache, later Xica Da Silva, La Esclava Isaura, El Clon, Av Brasil, etc. However, in 1991 or 1992, I can't remember exactly what year it was, but I remember becoming a huge fan of a soap opera called Vamp, and even though I was only six years old, I fell in love with the dark, gothic aesthetic of that soap opera. The main character was a woman who had achieved fame and success as a rock singer after selling her soul to Vlad, the king of vampires, and becoming a vampire herself. I loved her black clothes and the particular style that Brazilian soap operas generally have, mixing drama with comedy, action, and everything else that is interesting and attractive.

After many years, I wanted to watch this soap opera again, but I could only find it on YouTube in its original language, Portuguese. Although I love that language, it frustrated me because I couldn't understand anything, since I had previously watched the soap opera dubbed into Spanish. However, I really wanted to watch it. I felt a strong connection to that soap opera because it reminded me of the best years of my childhood, when we all gathered at my grandmother's house to watch it in the afternoons. Everything—the soundtrack, the scenes—reminded me of those good times, so I decided to watch it even though I didn't understand anything. However, in a short time, I realized that I was beginning to understand everything. I learned some words by association between the word and the action, and I recognized others because I have a Brazilian friend who had taught me many words, so this encouraged me to keep watching more episodes. >Depois de muitos anos, eu queria rever essa novela, mas só a encontrei no YouTube em português. Apesar de adorar português, fiquei frustrada por não entender nada, já que antes eu a assistia dublada em espanhol. Mesmo assim, eu queria muito vê-la; sentia uma forte conexão com a novela, pois me lembrava dos melhores anos da minha infância, quando nos reuníamos na casa da minha avó para assisti-la à tarde. Tudo — a trilha sonora, as cenas — me trazia boas lembranças. Então, decidi assistir mesmo sem entender nada. Porém, em pouco tempo, percebi que estava começando a entender tudo. Aprendi algumas palavras associando-as às ações e reconheci outras porque tenho uma amiga brasileira que me ensinou muitas palavras, o que me incentivou a continuar assistindo aos episódios.

Then I came across a YouTube channel called “Câmeras Escondidas Programa Silvio Santos,” which is also Brazilian, and this also helped me a lot to train my ear. I was really happy to be able to understand 90% or more of this beautiful language, and although I don't speak it, I'm actually using Google Translate to translate these words, I can understand it. Sometimes I come across words I don't understand, but I feel like I've made great progress just by watching TV shows and soap operas. I haven't seen or had much contact with my Brazilian friend in a long time, but on one occasion I sent her an audio message speaking a little Portuguese and she told me I was doing very well, so this made me feel encouraged because, really, through television, videos, and everything I've read, I've fallen in love with the Portuguese language, with the cheerful nature of Brazilians, with their carnival and their good vibes. They are wonderful people, with a charm of their own that makes them special, so I would love to visit Brazil someday and, of course, be able to speak Portuguese perfectly.

Thank you very much for reading my post. My main goal is to convey the idea that you can achieve incredible things if you just set your mind to it and open your heart to it 😉.