How to Learn “Portuguese From the Azores”

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Last updated on June 20, 2024 | Est. Reading Time: 4 minutes

Thinking about moving to the Azores or exploring your family roots there? You’re in for a linguistic treat! While there’s no official “Azorean Portuguese,” the islands have their own unique flavour when it comes to the language.

Let’s dive into what makes it special and how you can start learning Portuguese as it’s spoken in the Azores islands.

The Azorean Accent: A World of Its Own

The main difference between continental Portuguese and Azorean Portuguese is the accent. However, the Azorean accent isn’t one-size-fits-all. Each island has its own distinct way of speaking, and locals can often tell exactly where someone’s from just by listening to them. The most populous islands, São Miguel and Terceira, are known for their thick, distinctive accents. But don’t be fooled – smaller islands like Santa Maria and Flores have their own unique sounds too.

So, how different is it from mainland Portuguese? Well, even Portuguese people from the continent sometimes struggle to understand their island cousins! But don’t let that scare you off – with some practice, you’ll be chatting away in no time.

Starting Your Portuguese Journey

Since there’s no specific “Azorean Portuguese” course, here’s your game plan:

  1. Focus on European Portuguese: Avoid Brazilian Portuguese resources, as they’re quite different. Look for courses specifically teaching European Portuguese (we list several below).
  2. Master the Basics: Grammar is mostly the same across Portugal, with Azoreans using the gerund a bit more often. However, start with a solid foundation in European Portuguese.
  3. Tune Your Ear: Once you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to familiarise yourself with the Azorean accent and local expressions. This is probably going to be the hardest part as the accent is difficult and finding good Azorean Portuguese resources can be challenging.

Great Resources to Get You Started

Online Courses

As mentioned, the best place to start is with a course that covers the basics of European Portuguese. You’ll want to start at the beginner or A1-level and work your way up to at least A2 (but ideally somewhere around B1-B2, if you want to have conversations with people).

The following are some of the most popular courses:

  • Mia Esmeriz Academy: One of the most prolific YouTubers and content creators in the European Portuguese space, Mia offers courses that cover A1-B2 Portuguese as well as additional courses covering pronunciation.
  • Practice Portuguese: An incredibly popular (and affordable) learning studio with lots of audio content (from mainland Portugal), this is a subscription that everyone should have in their arsenal.
  • The Journey from Portuguese With Carla: This course takes a slightly different and more immersive approach to learning European Portuguese. While aimed at language learners of all levels, those with some grounding in European Portuguese will probably benefit the most.

Alternatively, If you can spend time in the Azores, the University of the Azores offers Portuguese for foreigners during school semesters.

Accent Training

Now for the harder part.

  • Starting by checking out “Portuguese accent & expressions from THE AZORES” on YouTube by Portuguese with LEO. It’s a great comparison between mainland and Azorean accents.
  • Listen to the Radio: Start with RTP Açores, the local radio station. While many presenters speak clearly, it’s a good start for tuning your ear if you can find Azorean content. For more local flavour, try other Azorean radio stations online.
  • YouTube: Watch people like Helfimed, a YouTuber and comedian from the Azores, for some authentic island Portuguese. However, note that there are usually no subtitles on his videos.
  • One-on-One Practice: Look for Azorean teachers on italki for personalised lessons, which is probably one of the best ways to get consistent, understandable exposure to the Azorean accent. Some teachers from the Azores include Julieta and Rita Diniz.

As mentioned, there isn’t one Azores accent. This video (in Portuguese) shows some of the different accents across the different islands.

Remember, learning any new language takes time and patience. The Azorean variant adds an extra layer of complexity, but it’s also what makes it so fascinating. Embrace the journey, and before you know it, you’ll be chatting with locals about the best spots for fresh seafood and breathtaking views.

So, ready to embark on your Azorean Portuguese adventure? Boa sorte (good luck) and enjoy the ride!

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