The Languages spoken in Portugal

Portuguese is the official language of Portugal. It is a Romance language that started in Spain and northern Portugal from the Latin spoken by the Lusitanian’s, the Gallaeci, the Celtici and the Conii approximately 200 years ago. It disseminate world-wide early in 16th centuries as Portugal made a colonial and commercial empire which crossed from Brazil (Americas), Goa (India) to Macau (China). The different dialects of Portuguese in Portugal are Açoriano (Azores), Alentejano (Alentejo), Algarvio (Algarve), Alto-Minhoto (North of Braga), Baixo-Beirão; Alto-Alentejano (Central Portugal), Beirão (Central Portugal), Estremenho (parts of Coimbra and Lisbon), Madeirense (Madeiran), Nortenho (areas of Braga and Porto) and Transmontano (Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro).

Nowadays, it ranks 4th in the world based on the number of indigene speakers for about 250 million. It is still a major Interlingua in Portugal’s previous colonial possessions in Africa. It remains as official language of other countries such as Brazil, Angola, Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, as Equatorial Guinea, East Timor. It is spoken through significant immigrant communities in Luxembourg, Jersey, Andorra, France, South Africa, Switzerland, Venezuela, Paraguay, Namibia, and in the U.S. states of Florida, California, Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island. Portuguese is still spoken in some regions of India, such as Daman, Diu and Goa.

Portuguese is also an official language of various international organizations such as African Union, European Union, Organization of American States and Mercosul. The Portuguese language is continuously benefiting popularity in Asia, Africa and South America.