The Brazilian Portuguese language has recently undergone a new spelling agreement, which has caused some confusion among native speakers and non-native speakers alike. This agreement, which was signed in 1990, aims to unify the spelling of the Portuguese language in all Portuguese-speaking countries, including Brazil, Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, and São Tomé and Príncipe.
One of the main changes brought about by the new spelling agreement is the elimination of the trema (two dots) from certain words. The trema was previously used to indicate that two vowels in a word should be pronounced separately, as in the word “linguiça” (Portuguese sausage). However, under the new agreement, the trema is no longer used in Portuguese, and the word is spelled “linguiça” without the dots.
Another major change is the elimination of the hyphen in compound words. For example, the word “para-choque” (bumper) is now spelled “para-choque” without the hyphen. This change may take some getting used to for those who are used to seeing the hyphen in compound words.
The agreement also includes changes to the spelling of certain words, which can be confusing for those learning the language. For example, the word “ideia” (idea) is now spelled “ideia” without the acute accent mark. Similarly, the word “heroico” (heroic) is now spelled “heroico” without the acute accent mark.
While the new spelling agreement may seem confusing at first, it is important to remember that these changes are meant to unify the spelling of the Portuguese language across different countries. As a professional, it is important to take these changes into account when creating content aimed at Portuguese-speaking audiences.
In terms of SEO, it is important to use the correct spelling of words in order to rank well in search engines. This means that content creators should be aware of the changes brought about by the new spelling agreement and adjust their writing accordingly. By staying up-to-date with the latest changes in the Portuguese language, copy editors can ensure that their content is not only grammatically correct but also optimized for search engines.