Portuguese

A language of Portugal

Português

9,900,000 in Portugal (European Commission 2012). Total users in all countries: 257,660,250 (as L1: 232,434,250; as L2: 25,226,000).

Location

Widespread.

Language Maps

Andorra and France

Portugal and Spain

Language Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (2005, Constitution, Article 11(3)).

Classification

Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Portuguese-Galician

Dialects

Beiran (Beirão), Alentejan (Alentejano), Algarvian (Algarvio), Minhotan (Minhoto), Transmontan (Transmontano), Madeirese (Madeirense), Azorean (Açoriano), Estremenho, Brazilian Portuguese. Standard Portuguese of Portugal based on Estremenho dialect (Lisbon and Coimbra). Lexical similarity: 89% with Spanish [spa], 85% with Catalan [cat], 78% with Logudorese Sardinian [src], 75% with French [fra], 74% with Romansh [roh], 72% with Romanian [ron], 20% with English [eng].

Typology

SVO; prepositions; gender (masculine/feminine); definite and indefinite articles; verb affixes mark person, number; passives; tense; comparatives; 21 consonants, 13 vowels, 11 diphthongs; non-tonal.

Language Use

Some also use English [eng] (European Commission 2006). Some also use French [fra] (European Commission 2006). A few also use Kabuverdianu [kea], with some Portuguese children learning Kabuverdianu in the schools with predominant Cape Verdean populations. A few also use Spanish [spa] (European Commission 2006).

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 83%–84%. Taught in all primary and secondary schools. Taught in all tertiary schools. Fully developed. Bible: 1751–2017.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Portuguese

Writing

Braille script [Brai]. Latin script [Latn], primary usage.

Other Comments

Christian.

Also spoken in:

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Andorra

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

11,700 in Andorra (2005 census). Ethnic population: 13,800 (2008 census).

Location

Scattered.

Alternate Names

Português

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Angola

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

18,100,000 in Angola, all users. L1 users: 12,100,000 in Angola (2018). Includes 60,000 foreign L1 users. In cities, Portuguese increasingly L1 of younger generation. 60% of Angolans use Portuguese, 40% as L1. High level of urbanization due to civil war led to increased use. L2 users: 6,000,000 (2018).

Alternate Names

Português

Language Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (2010, Constitution, Article 19(1)).

Language Use

An African, Bantuïzed form of Portuguese [por] is slowly making inroads.

Language Development

Taught in all primary and secondary schools. Taught in most tertiary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Argentina

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

58,000 in Argentina (2018), based on nationality.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Australia

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

48,900 in Australia (2016 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Austria

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

3,200 in Austria (2003 UNSD).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Belgium

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

59,900 in Belgium (2020 census), based on nationality.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Bermuda

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

2,300 in Bermuda (2019).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Brazil

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

211,200,000 in Brazil, all users. L1 users: 201,000,000 in Brazil (2020). L2 users: 10,200,000 (2020).

Location

Widespread.

Alternate Names

Português

Language Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1988, Constitution, Article 13).

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 71%. Taught in all primary and secondary schools. Taught in all tertiary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Christian, traditional religion.

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Canada

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

222,000 in Canada (2016 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Cape Verde Islands

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

367,800 in Cape Verde Islands, all users. L1 users: 11,800 in Cape Verde Islands (2010 census). L2 users: 356,000 (2010 census).

Location

Major cities.

Alternate Names

Português

Dialects

Português continental, Portugues brasileiro, Português africano.

Language Status

1 (National). Statutory national working language (1992, Constitution, Article 9(1)).

Language Use

L1 Portuguese [por] tends to be limited to foreigners from other Portuguese speaking countries. Cape Verdeans learn Portuguese [por] as L2 in the national school system. Some do not attend school, and some fail to learn Portuguese adequately during their time in the school system. Education, government, formal functions, formal media communication.

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 83%. Taught in primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Christian.

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China–Macao

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

18,680 in China–Macao, all users. L1 users: 3,680 in China–Macao (2017 UNSD). L2 users: 15,000 (2016 census). Ethnic population: 11,700 (2016 census).

Location

Scattered.

Alternate Names

Português

Language Status

2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial working language in Macao Special Administrative Region (1999, Basic Law, Article 9).

Language Development

Taught in primary and secondary schools, in one school; taught as subject in other schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Denmark

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

6,930 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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East Timor

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

5,700 in East Timor, all users. L1 users: 700 in East Timor (2011 UNSD). L2 users: 5,000 (2006 J. Leclerc).

Alternate Names

Português

Language Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (2002, Constitution, Article 13).

Language Use

Very few fluent users.

Language Development

Taught as subject in primary schools in grades 1 and 2 and gradually introduced as a language of instruction with Tetun Dili [tdt] in the higher grades (2021 SIL).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Christian.

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Equatorial Guinea

Language NamePortuguese

Location

Major cities.

Alternate Names

Portugués, Português

Dialects

None known. Fa d’Ambu, a Portuguese-based creole, is spoken on Annobón island and northern Bioko island.

Language Status

4 (Educational). Recognized language (2010, Constitution, Article 4(1) as amended).

Language Use

Commerce, education. Used as L2 by Fa d’Ambu [fab].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. The training of teachers, the broadcasting of Portuguese-language television programs and the creation of cultural centers are measures provided by Equatorial Guinea to promote the Portuguese language, one of the conditions for joining the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP). Portuguese was made official in order to accomplish these goals.

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Finland

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

3,020 in Finland (2018 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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France

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

959,000 in France (2008 census).

Location

Scattered. Corsica region; Hauts-de-France region: Roubaix, near Belgian border; Île-de-France region: Paris; Nouvelle-Aquitaine region: Bordeaux; Occitania region: Toulouse.

Alternate Names

Portugais, Português

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Use

Also use French [fra].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: Relatively low.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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French Guiana

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

14,200 in French Guiana (2019), based on ethnicity.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Language Use

Used as L2 by Tekó [eme], Wayampi [oym].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Germany

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

196,000 in Germany (2020 census), based on nationality.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Guinea-Bissau

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

396,450 in Guinea-Bissau, all users. L1 users: 5,450 in Guinea-Bissau (2018). L2 users: 391,000 (2015 UNSD).

Location

Bissau region.

Alternate Names

Português

Language Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Language Use

With foreigners, written materials, higher education.

Language Development

Officially used in schools, but mostly poorly spoken. Taught in primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Christian.

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India

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

250,000 in India.

Location

Goa state, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

Alternate Names

Português, Purtagaalee

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Indo-Portuguese [idb].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Ireland

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

4,620 in Ireland (2016 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Jamaica

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

6,000 in Jamaica (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Japan

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

265,000 in Japan (Leclerc 2020b).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Jersey

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

4,530 in Jersey (2016 World Factbook).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Lebanon

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

2,960 in Lebanon (2020).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Luxembourg

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

74,600 in Luxembourg (2011 census).

Location

Diekirch district: Diekirch canton; Luxembourg district: Esch-sur-Alzette canton, Luxembourg canton.

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Use

A 1972 law that allows family unification for Portuguese immigrants in Luxembourg has turned the Portuguese community into a demographically self-sustaining unit, marking it out from other groups who did not wish to move permanently or who did not enjoy this special status.

Language Development

Taught as subject in secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Malawi

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

18,000 in Malawi (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Mexico

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

5,100 in Mexico (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Mozambique

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

13,130,000 in Mozambique, all users. L1 users: 5,000,000 in Mozambique (2020). L2 users: 8,130,000 (2020).

Alternate Names

Português

Language Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (2004, Constitution, Article 10).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Netherlands

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

16,600 in Netherlands (2019).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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New Zealand

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

5,620 in New Zealand (2013 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Norway

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

10,700 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Paraguay

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

235,000 in Paraguay (2020).

Location

Boquerón deparment: Chaco region into Filadelfia.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Language Use

Used as L2 by Chamacoco [ceg].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Russian Federation

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

11,200 in Russian Federation (2012 UNSD).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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São Tomé e Príncipe

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

197,000 in São Tomé e Príncipe, all users. L1 users: 68,000 in São Tomé e Príncipe (2016 World Factbook). L2 users: 129,000 (2016 World Factbook).

Alternate Names

Português

Language Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Language Use

Used by many as L1 until their late 20s, when they become more active in São Tomense society, and relearn Sãotomense [cri], the language of social networks above age 30.

Language Development

Taught in all primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. São Tomé and Príncipe was settled in the 1500s by Portuguese Jews exiled by the Inquisition. Their descendents are ethnic mesticos. Later immigrants were servicais (Luso Africans from Mozambiqe, Angola, and Cape Verde). Most are L1 speakers of Portuguese [por].

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South Africa

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

300,000 in South Africa (2010 Observatório da Emigração). Ethnic population: 1,850,000 (2020 Joshua Project).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Spain

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

197,000 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality.

Location

Castille and Leon autonomous community, Extremadura autonomous community.

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

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Sweden

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

7,230 in Sweden (2020 census), based on nationality.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Switzerland

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

210,000 in Switzerland (2012 UNSD).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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United Kingdom

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

135,000 in United Kingdom (2011 census). England and Wales 133,000, Northern Ireland 2,260.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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United States

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

693,000 in United States (2015 census).

Location

Massachusetts: Cambridge, Sommerville; Rhode Island: Fall River, New Bedford, Provincetown. Scattered elsewhere.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Language Use

Many also use English [eng].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Uruguay

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

30,600 in Uruguay (2016).

Alternate Names

Portugués del Uruguay, Portunhol, Portuñol, Uruguayan Portuguese

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Venezuela

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

254,000 in Venezuela (2005).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Zambia

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

5,000 in Zambia (2017 J. Leclerc).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Zimbabwe

Language NamePortuguese

User Population

17,000 in Zimbabwe (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Portuguese

Primary tabs

A language of Portugal

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