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" I am lost, can you help me find the way back to the path to X-town?"
Yes - I also tried to find apps for ‘European’ Portuguese rather than Brazilian.I decided on the very last minute to pick up a bit of Portuguese. I don't learn languages in a formal manner, but just listen and repeat, so I started to search the Internet and found several sites in YouTube. Problem was that most were Brazilian
Portuguese!
I didn't get very far in the three weeks left before we headed out besides the usual basics, but I did learn by heart a catchy song, sung by Michel Teló called Nossa, Nossa, assim você me mata. Of course, the words are " street language" and if you say " nossa" is "our", you are very wrong, because it means "Wow"!
Needless to say, I didn't get to use the word!
However, I mentioned it at a singsong one night at Fernandas, and they immediately started singing it!
Hi Anamya, loved your reply. Believe me, in Portugal you would have a different experience. If you ask any info or help to a Portuguese people that only speaks Portuguese, he/she will take your hand to make sure you will be in the right place or get what you need. That is our way and many of us knows basic English, Spanish and FrenchI actually admire the effort of those who try to learn basics of a language prior to travelling to foreign country... in that sense, the OP is more than right! It´s polite and I think it shows that you are willing to go a bit more out of your comfort zone to experience the Camino.
After Santiago, my husband and I went to Madrid to visit some places, and I'll never forget a family outside the Monasterio de las Descalças Reales complaining "This place was sh*t, they only speak Spanish!"
Wow, it's a place in Spain, I wonder why the nuns spoke Spanish over there!
Hi Anamya, loved your reply. Believe me, in Portugal you would have a different experience. If you ask any info or help to a Portuguese people that only speaks Portuguese, he/she will take your hand to make sure you will be in the right place or get what you need. That is our way and many of us knows basic English, Spanish and French
Bom Caminho
Mario
"muita chuva"
I think one of the reasons for the Portuguese have facility in speaking other languages is because the movies
This is so cool - thanks again for more advice Edumad! I will practice these this weekend, and try to commit them to memory. Chees; KyHere are some questions that might be useful.
Is this the Caminho de Santiago? Am I on the Caminho de Santiago?
Este é o Caminho de Santiago? Estou no caminho de Santiago?
I am lost, how do I go to ... I am lost, what is the way to...
Estou perdida, como vou para... Estou perdida, qual é o caminho para...
The bill please
A conta por favor
Is there a café nearby?
Há algum café perto?
Could you give me some water?
Podia dar-me água?
Is there a fountain nearby?
Existe alguma fonte perto?
I've been struggling to devise some phonetic equivalents for this english, but I thing the best is to put the portuguese phrases into google translator and press the speaker button, it'll read it to you. It does it in portuguese from Portugal.
I also recommend their translation app, you can write, speak or photograph and it'll translate it for you.
It'll sort out all questions above and any others, you can then just reproduce the portuguese sound.
Good on you for making an effort, its always better to get some grasp on the language and can be fun, if you are so inclined.
Thanks Kiwi-family! Since I will be walking the Portuguese section by myself, I would like a little bit of Portuguese so I'm not 100% clueless about what's going on around me. All of the Portuguese people I know speak English, but I figure simple phrases like "Excuse me", or " Good morning" will help me make easy contact with locals as I pass through the towns. I have a friend who will join me at the border, and she speaks Spanish. So with our powers combined, hopefully we can get through most simple conversations with locals without using English...nicer for the locals, and a good opportunity for us to practice ( and learn!)You will find getting lost is nigh on impossible - the Portuguese has the best waymarking I have experienced anywhere apart form that long straight stretch on the meseta where every bollard is unnecessarily painted with an arrow. I felt like someone was holding my hand the whole way.
We were also surprised at the English spoken by everyone. Quite in contrast to Spain. (Of course, I am not saying not to bother learning Portuguese, but it may alleviate any niggles you have to know what the situation is like)
annakappa - you kill me! I am looking at your picture and am imagining you singing this raunchy little Michel Telo song... bless you.I decided on the very last minute to pick up a bit of Portuguese. I don't learn languages in a formal manner, but just listen and repeat, so I started to search the Internet and found several sites in YouTube. Problem was that most were Brazilian
Portuguese!
I didn't get very far in the three weeks left before we headed out besides the usual basics, but I did learn by heart a catchy song, sung by Michel Teló called Nossa, Nossa, assim você me mata. Of course, the words are " street language" and if you say " nossa" is "our", you are very wrong, because it meant "Wow"!
Needless to say, I didn't get to use the word!
However, I mentioned it at a singsong one night at Fernandas, and they immediately started singing it!
Hi Santaremhostel, thanks for taking the time to reply. I don't expect to be fluent before I go, but I do at least want to make an effort. In my travels I have found that with a few key phrases and an open mind I meet the coolest people, and enjoy some amazing experiences. Also, I don't just want to meet young people - am really looking forward to meeting some sassy Nana's and Grandpa's along the way!Hi Kylie.
Do not take very serious the language issue.
If you know basic words/phrases like edumad shared you will do fine.
Also, you will notice that most of the young Portuguese people understand Spanish, English and French.
But in a situation that language is a real issue, believe me that a solution will come out.
We have welcome Japanese and Korean Pilgrims that only speak their own language.
That is a real challenge!!!
Bom Caminho
Mario
Thank you Miguel, 'sitio' is a new word for me. Much appreciated!Hi as a Portuguese citizen, I truly can say we are a friendly country, you have a big probability to get some one to help you, even if the language is a problem.
My honest suggestions, in language issues:
- Star to approach people by saying Hello ( Olá )
-Try to not "scare" people ( criminality...) so the "unfreeze" word that I recommend is to say I'm a pilgrim in travel to Santiago Compostela ( Sou um peregrino em viagem até Santiago de Compostela ). You will see this will open all the doors, don't be surprise if someone stop what is doing and take their own car and put you on track
- After that just try to ask put the basic question
Como vou para este sitio... How to go to this place...
Onde posso dormir...where I can sleep
Estou no caminho certo para chegar a este sitio...Am I in the correct road to...
P.S- If you ask something to a Portuguese and they start to speak more loud and sometimes slowly...don't worry it's in our culture we think that If we in speak in Portuguese more louder and slowly you will understand
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