Portuguese Interpreter Certification
Currently in the United States, Portuguese is the 12th most spoken language. Based on a census done between 2009 and 2013, it is estimated that 39% of Portuguese speakers in the U.S. speak English less than “Very Well” – therefore, the need for individuals with a Portuguese interpreter certification is high to assist people in everyday situations including medical, legal, business and other settings.
However, you must remember when looking into receiving a Portuguese interpreter certification, that there are many variations of the Portuguese language spoken around the world – there’s the Portuguese spoken in Portugal, Brazilian Portuguese and Azorean Portuguese to name a few. You might not think that there is a lot of difference between the three, but in fact there is.
The Many Differences between the Portuguese Languages
The Portuguese language has influenced cultures around the world, and today many variations and dialects of the language can be found. Perhaps one of the most notable distinctions is between European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese.
Some of the main differences between European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese involve the conjugation of various verbs. As an example, the conjugations used commonly by those speaking Brazilian Portuguese when referring to the singular “you” follow the conjugations used for “Você” - so “Você é” for you are as opposed to “Tu és”. Other differences can be found in a harder pronunciation of “s”, as opposed to the softer “sh” sound heard in European Portuguese, and the pronunciation of “d” as a “g” when it comes before an “I” or “e” in Brazilian Portuguese.
There are also major differences in vocabulary and verbs, as outlined below.
The Portuguese spoken in the Archipelago of the Azores also has some distinct variations from that spoken in Europe and Brazil. Mostly centered on the pronunciation of the vowels, the Azorean accent has been described as slightly more musical and “French-like” in its pronunciation.
Studying For a Portuguese Interpreter Certification
When studying for a Portuguese interpreter certification, it is important to make sure you are learning from instructors who are familiar with the variations in the Portuguese language, and describe them in detail. Although you may not be fluent in a dialect or accent of Portuguese (and should never interpret under the pretenses that you are), knowing the variations between the languages, and different ways to speak about topics, will help when working as a real world Portuguese interpreter.
At Interpreter Training Programs, our Portuguese interpreting instructors are all native speakers, and familiar with the variations between the Portuguese languages spoken in modern times. Whether you are looking for a Portuguese interpreter certification class for medical interpreting, legal interpreting, business interpreting or community interpreting, you can be sure we will provide you with instructors familiar with how to speak the language of those industries across the many Portuguese languages spoken today.
Get the necessary, in person training in order to become a competent professional interpreter. Register now for one of our interpreter training programs: Medical Interpreter Training, Legal Interpreter Training or Community & Business Interpreter Training.
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