Task 4

Task 4 - Culture Research and Presentation
By
Natalia Lucía Jiménez Zabala
Tutor:
Professor Sergio Alexander Aristizabal
Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia UNAD
School of Education
Licenciatura en Lengua Extranjera con Énfasis en Inglés
Language and Culture
May 29, 2024
1
Essay
Portuguese: A Language of Global Significance and Cultural Identity
Portuguese is a language with a rich history and global relevance. It is spoken by millions
across four continents. As a language and culture student, I have investigated the current
state of the Portuguese language, its prevalence worldwide, and the efforts made to
preserve and revitalize it. Through this essay, I intend to highlight the important role
Portuguese plays in shaping the cultural perspectives of its speakers and the significance of
language preservation in maintaining cultural identity.
Portuguese is an official language in 10 countries, including Portugal, Brazil, Angola,
Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe, East Timor, Equatorial
Guinea, and Macau (Ethnologue, 2023). With approximately 260 million speakers
worldwide, it is the most widely spoken language in South America and the Southern
Hemisphere, and the second most spoken language in Latin America after Spanish.
Despite facing some decline in certain regions in the early 21st century, such as Macau,
Portuguese has experienced a resurgence due to increased diplomatic and financial
connections between China and Portuguese-speaking countries (Ethnologue, 2023).
The importance of preserving and revitalizing Portuguese cannot be stressed enough.
Language is a fundamental aspect of cultural identity, as it shapes the way people perceive
and interact with the world around them (Kramsch, 2015). As Kramsch (2015) argues,
"Language is not a neutral medium of communication, but rather a medium that expresses,
embodies and symbolizes cultural reality" (p. 356). By maintaining and promoting the use
of Portuguese, communities can preserve their unique cultural heritage and ensure that
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their values, traditions, music, folcklore and worldviews are passed down to future
generations.
Many efforts to preserve and revitalize Portuguese have been made in various
countries. In East Timor, for example, Portuguese was introduce again as an official
language after independence and is now taught in schools (Ethnologue, 2023). The
Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) also plays a significant role in
promoting the use of Portuguese internationally and working to preserve the language.
These initiatives prove the commitment of governments and language communities to
maintaining the cultural significance of Portuguese.
The importance of language preservation is additionally emphasized by Fishman (1991),
who argues that "Threatened languages are threatened cultures" (p. 4). When a language
declines or becomes extinct, the cultural knowledge, traditions, and ways of life associated
with it are also at risk of being lost (Fishman, 1991), and with this loss, a human point of
view is forever lost as well. By preserving Portuguese, communities can ensure that their
unique cultural identities and perspectives continue to exist and be relevant in an
increasingly globalized world where cultures mingle so much it is hard to tell one apart
from the other.
In my opinion, Portuguese is a language of global significance, with a rich history and
cultural importance. As a language and culture student, I have gained a deeper
appreciation for the role Portuguese plays in shaping the cultural perspectives of its
speakers and the importance of language preservation in maintaining cultural identity,
considering that Portuguese is one of the two languages spoken in Latin America. I value
how different they are from Spanish speakers, and the variety they bring to our continent,
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and the world. Through the efforts of governments, language communities, and
organizations like the CPLP, Portuguese continues to thrive and evolve, ensuring that its
cultural significance remains strong for future generations.
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References:
Ethnologue. (2023). Portuguese. https://www.ethnologue.com/language/por
Fishman, J. A. (1991). Reversing language shift: Theoretical and empirical foundations of
assistance to threatened languages. Multilingual Matters.
Kramsch, C. (2015). Language and culture. AILA Review, 27(1), 30-55.
https://doi.org/10.1075/aila.27.02kra
Vieira, N. H. (2024). Brazilian literature. Encyclopaedia Britannica

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Task 4 - Culture Research and Presentation

Natalia Lucía Jiménez Zabala

Professor Sergio Alexander Aristizabal

Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia UNAD

Licenciatura en Lengua Extranjera con Énfasis en Inglés

Language and Culture

May 29, 2024

Portuguese: A Language of Global Significance and Cultural Identity

language preservation in maintaining cultural identity.

Portuguese is an official language in 10 countries, including Portugal, Brazil, Angola,

Portuguese has experienced a resurgence due to increased diplomatic and financial

connections between China and Portuguese-speaking countries (Ethnologue, 2023).

The importance of preserving and revitalizing Portuguese cannot be stressed enough.

Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) also plays a significant role in

These initiatives prove the commitment of governments and language communities to

maintaining the cultural significance of Portuguese.

The importance of language preservation is additionally emphasized by Fishman (1991),

unique cultural identities and perspectives continue to exist and be relevant in an

from the other.

In my opinion, Portuguese is a language of global significance, with a rich history and

cultural importance. As a language and culture student, I have gained a deeper

speakers and the importance of language preservation in maintaining cultural identity,

cultural significance remains strong for future generations.

Ethnologue. (2023). Portuguese. https://www.ethnologue.com/language/por

Fishman, J. A. (1991). Reversing language shift: Theoretical and empirical foundations of

assistance to threatened languages. Multilingual Matters.

Kramsch, C. (2015). Language and culture. AILA Review, 27(1), 30-55.

Vieira, N. H. (2024). Brazilian literature. Encyclopaedia Britannica

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