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A student-friendly textbook on Portuguese linguistics, ideal for undergraduate and introductory graduate courses Introduction to Portuguese Linguistics and Variation equips students with the essential knowledge required for understanding and explaining different uses of Portuguese in a range of specific contexts. Focusing on the Brazilian variety of Portuguese, this wide-ranging textbook also covers intrinsic variation in the language across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Detailed and accessible chapters address well-established topics and new trends in the study of language inclusivity, including timely coverage of discriminatory speech.
Organized into eleven chapters, the book opens with an overview of fundamental linguistic concepts, describing language and dialects, language systems, Universal Grammar, and the core elements of language variation. Subsequent chapters trace the historical origin of Portuguese language, explain the distribution of sounds in Portuguese, address semantics and pragmatics, and explore linguistic variation. Each chapter contains valuable exercises for students and engaging discussion questions designed for both in-classroom use and as supplementary material to a linguistics course.
- Introduces all major aspects of Portuguese linguistics: syntax, phonology, phonetics, morphology, semantics, and linguistic variation
- Defines all linguistic terms and provides references to further readings and additional resources
- Considers bias based on dialect, such as stereotyping based on social class, place of origin, or occupation
- Examines different speech communities, regional variations, neologisms, conversational norms, and discourse markers
Written by a highly experienced and influential educator in the field,
Introduction to Portuguese Linguistics and Variation is an ideal textbook for students pursuing a degree in Portuguese studies, Portuguese language, and Latin American or Brazilian studies, as well as language teachers and linguistics instructors who serve Portuguese-speaking populations.
About the author
Fernanda Lima Pires Ferreira is Professor of Global Languages and Literatures at Bridgewater State University, where she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Spanish and Portuguese. Her research focuses on heritage language learning and Ibero-Romance Creoles.
