Are you struggling to sound like a native speaker? How’s your Portuguese pronunciation? Here are a few tips to show you how to ‘really’ speak Portuguese – like a pro!
One of the major hurdles to overcome when learning a language is trying to sound like a native speaker. Getting the conversation to ‘flow’ and sound natural doesn’t always come easy. Let’s face it, sometimes it is a chore just to be able to pronounce some of the words, nevermind trying to string them together in a sentence.
In this article you are going to learn how to really speak Portuguese, like a pro!
I read once that if your lips don’t hurt when you are learning a language then you are not doing it right. That is because, to a certain degree, it requires a little muscle memory.
Speak Like a Native Speaker
Are you trying to sound like a native speaker? It is good to have goals but you it takes a lot of practice and listening to get that ‘native speaker’ sound. Remember, that the portuguese have been speaking since they were children and the tiniest slip up can give you away.
Think about when you hear others speaking your language for example. They often have an accent, right? So it is perfectly normal that you should have an accent too. Own it!
Imitate – Don’t think!
If you are determined to get that perfect pronunciation, the best thing to do is to imitate the sounds you hear. When doing this, don’t focus so much on the written word. Don’t think just repeat!
Listen!
By imitating the sounds you hear will you will improve your accent, and even retain the words you learn better. You may also recognise familiar sounds, that you can ‘imitate’.
In fact, I have found that in English, we already have many of the Portuguese Sounds we need!
Muscle Memory
Repetition is your best friend. The more your mouth feels the sounds, the less your brain has to think about them.
Shadow native speakers—mimic their rhythm, not just their words!
Sometimes reading a word and trying to say can be harder than just imitating what you hear. This is because your brain is interfering by making you pronounce the word the way it ‘thinks’ it is said.
Try it!
Read first and try to say the following phrase:
“Muito prazer em conhecê-lo” (Pleased to meet you)
Now just listen and repeat (you can pause the audio at any time)
Listen More Than You Speak (At First)
True fluency comes from listening.
Absorb the natural flow by listening to podcasts, songs, or even street conversations. You don’t even have to understand them.
Let your ears train your mouth.
Below are some useful links
Music – music is great for learning!
Portuguese Rock, Portuguese Fado
TV – here you will find, programs, news, podcasts, quiz shows and much more!
Record Yourself
It’s awkward, yes—but it’s gold. You’ll catch patterns and habits you didn’t know you had. You can also compare your recording to the ones you imitate. Give it a bit of flare – ‘overdo’ it a bit! Loosen up!
Use Minimal Pairs
Practice words that differ by just one sound: peso vs peço, vaca vs faca. It sharpens your phonetic radar.
Relax your Jaw and Throat
This is probably one of the most important things to remember. Tension kills clarity. Try humming or yawning before speaking to loosen up.
A relaxed mouth will give you a smoother transitions between sounds.
So here is your rough guide to ‘almost’ perfect pronunciation! Don’t sorry if you can’t get your lips around some of the words – it is quite normal. Embrace your ‘accent’ and uniqueness!