Spelling is the order in which letters are placed to create a word. It does not have a one-to-one relationship with sound, which is noise that can be strung together to create understandable words. Letters can have various sounds, particularly when placed in different orders, making the relationship between the two inconsistent. This makes it difficult to spell a word after hearing it or pronounce a word you read. This is a significant factor in my language learning because it is a big obstacle. English pronunciation is very different from Portuguese. The rules are also very complex. It is also a reason why it is important to focus less on spelling initially to be able to better understand the way words sound first, instead of constantly trying to make a connection between the way things are spelled and the way they sound. After some research, I have found that the phonetic inventory of Portuguese is extensive and varies by region of Brazil, depending on various dialects. My language partner usually gives me multiple pronunciations for words that she says are of various dialects. The internet also says that Portuguese is one of the most sound-diverse languages in the world. My strategy for learning more about the sound system of Portuguese and ensuring that I am able to distinguish its nuances is through my language partner and badgering her to repeat words as well as say them in a sentence so that she says them more naturally. I also think listening to some of the music she has sent me could also help. Below are examples of sounds in Portuguese that I do not believe I use in English:
Ex. the m in sim (yes), pronounced si with the barest hint of an m (like in mug) – it’s as if you were about to say the m and someone cut you off
Ex. the lh in Julho (July), pronounced, I believe, like a y but also with the barest hint of an i sound before it, like in igloo.
These are some of the sounds I have been having the hardest time with.
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