I’m new to learning Portuguese

[dueSicilie]

Olá, tudos.

I started learning Portuguese recently. I have studied French Latin and Italian in the past, and am decent in colloquial Spanish with work mates, although never studied it.

Any advice?

[Jayne]

You will probably find the pronunciation the most difficult aspect of the language, so perhaps you should give it some extra attention.  The vocabulary should be relatively easy for someone who knows Latin and other Romance languages.

[Fleur-de-Lys]

Jayne,
Do you speak Portuguese? 

DueSicilie,
I don't have any general advice, but if you ever have any specific questions, Vetus Ordo and I speak Portuguese, and we would be happy to help you. Are you focusing on Brazilian or European?

[Fleur-de-Lys]

I should add that Vetus Ordo is Portuguese. So he has native-speaker competence, but also the annoying habit of telling people they're wrong, when they're speaking perfectly correct Brazilian Portuguese! 

[Jayne]

Jayne,
Do you speak Portuguese? 

I studied it a bit when my son married a woman of Portuguese descent.  I don't speak it, but I have some general knowledge of its linguistic features.

[Vetus Ordo]

I should add that Vetus Ordo is Portuguese. So he has native-speaker competence, but also the annoying habit of telling people they're wrong, when they're speaking perfectly correct Brazilian Portuguese!

Consider it a spiritual work of mercy.

[Fleur-de-Lys]

I should add that Vetus Ordo is Portuguese. So he has native-speaker competence, but also the annoying habit of telling people they're wrong, when they're speaking perfectly correct Brazilian Portuguese!

Consider it a spiritual work of mercy.

I warned you, dueSicilie. Also, his accent is impenetrable.

[Vetus Ordo]

I should add that Vetus Ordo is Portuguese. So he has native-speaker competence, but also the annoying habit of telling people they're wrong, when they're speaking perfectly correct Brazilian Portuguese!

Consider it a spiritual work of mercy.

I warned you, dueSicilie. Also, his accent is impenetrable.

I.e., native.

[Fleur-de-Lys]

Vetus, your accent is impenetrable even to natives. But it is very nice to listen to, even if I still don't always catch every word.

[dueSicilie]

Hey!

European is my preference. I love the “sh” sound and dropping ending vowels to confuse people.

I started using Duolingo, and listening to a good podcast called Portuguese with Carla. It’s confusing to memorize and differentiate the two differing pronunciations.

[dueSicilie]

What’s wrong with his accent? He’s not Madeiran is he? I heard their accent is bad

[dueSicilie]

I should add that Vetus Ordo is Portuguese. So he has native-speaker competence, but also the annoying habit of telling people they're wrong, when they're speaking perfectly correct Brazilian Portuguese!

Consider it a spiritual work of mercy.

  

[Fleur-de-Lys]

What’s wrong with his accent? He’s not Madeiran is he? I heard their accent is bad

He is Madeiran! 

Hey!

European is my preference. I love the “sh” sound and dropping ending vowels to confuse people.

I started using Duolingo, and listening to a good podcast called Portuguese with Carla. It’s confusing to memorize and differentiate the two differing pronunciations.

I wouldn't recommend trying to learn both varieties at the same time. It's needlessly confusing. They differ not only in pronunciation, but also to a lesser extent in vocabulary and grammar. Once you reach a certain level of competence in one, it's much easier to pick up the variations of the other. That has been my experience, Vetus' accent notwithstanding.

[dueSicilie]

Brazilian sounds more like Spanish to me, in the ear. My favourite word is « pão de queijo »

[Greg]

Have some Madeira my dear!