Conversational Brazilian-Portuguese: The Easy Method (Paperback)

by Edwin B. Williams Ph.D. (Author), Marialice Pessoa (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Step By Step, these attractive and interesting lessons make it possible for you to understand and speak Brazilian-Portuguese in the shortest possible time.

The Cortina Method combines a selection of practical phrases of everyday use and the absence of complicated grammatical rules, to make the study of spoken Portuguese quick, easy and effective.

A Comprehensive Reference Grammar is provided following the lessons. This section which also contains a guide to pronunciation will prove a handy and invaluable aid to the student.

Useful Dictionary
This Portuguese-English Dictionary of about 1,200 words also has an index of grammatical points which will be found especially practical because, in addition to giving the translation of the most important words, they refer to sections of the grammar where they are covered.

For students who desire a rapid mastery of spoken conversational Brazilian-Portuguese, the Cortina Academy has recorded the vocabularies and conversations of this book using voices of native Brazilian instructors chosen for their excellent accent and pleasing tone. Anyone interested in a full description of these recordings and a FREE Sample Record in Brazilian-Portuguese has only to send the postcard inserted in the back of this book.

Cortina's Short-Cut Method has received the approval of students, teachers, schools, colleges, and business firms all over the world.

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Product Details Paperback: 192 pages Publisher: Cortina; 3rd edition (September 15, 1990) Language: English ISBN-10: 0805015035 ISBN-13: 978-0805015034 Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.3 inches Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,028,132 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

7 Reviews 5 star:  (1) 4 star:  (4) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:  (1) 1 star:  (1)           Average Customer Review 3.4 out of 5 stars (7 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 14 of 14 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Essentials of the language of Brazil, April 1, 2000 By  bill mackay (Chicago, Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews I first became acquainted with Conversational Brazilian Portuguese in Boston years ago and it was a valuable guide to a new, strange and wondrous language. It has been updated in the years since its first publication yet it retains the essential elements of the language. Most chapters contain interesting dialogue sections as well as new vocabulary. Many exercises use repetition of different verb forms . One of the best features is the way that grammar is incorporated into the text rather than being isolated from the conversations. The book has a Portuguese-English index, a guide to pronunciation, an explanation of verb usage (including 20 very commonly used irregular verbs), and also a grammatical reference that clearly explains hard-to-grasp items in the chapters. Unnecessary english is avoided which helps the student to stay in the language while studying. Occasionally some rather formal constructions are used that you may not encounter much in spoken brazilian. Slang and idiomatic patterns are kept to a minimum as the focus here is on getting a good foundation in the fundamentals of brazilian. For someone new to this language or wanting a solid brush-up this book is a fine tool. 18 of 20 people found the following review helpful: 1.0 out of 5 stars Ridiculously out of date, not how Brazilians speak today., September 9, 2003 By  "ginos-books" (California) - See all my reviews Page 115 tell us the capital is Rio de Janeiro. Hello! Brasilia has been the capital since 1960! If it was only that the book spends too much print teaching us how to ask the barber for a shave, or looking for a milliner to make me a new hat, I wouldn't be too upset, but the grammer and pronunciation the book is NOT Brazilian. My wife, born, raised and educated in Sao Paulo, has forbidden me to use the book. There are too many things (placement of objects, the selection of second person pronouns, pronunication and more) that she had to un-teach me after I studied the book. Do yourself a favor and look elsewhere. 11 of 11 people found the following review helpful: 2.0 out of 5 stars Please buy other Portuguese books, June 29, 2000 By  LAK "la13" (Alexandria, VA USA) - See all my reviews Oi, Este livro é útil se você falar algum português. If you did not understand what I said, then maybe you should start with a beginner's text. The Cortina method is not properly organized and lacking an audio tape. But, if you are familiar with a couple tenses, this book might be a good review. Lonely Planet phrasebook is a good start and 501 Conjugated Portuguese verbs is great for those desiring business fluency or intermediate students. Boa sorte! -Lisa		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 4.0 out of 5 stars Great book, but not quite complete.. Some will find this course a little difficult for those first learning the language. Some of the lessons are outdated, but the saving point in this course is that it still teaches... Read more Published on November 16, 2005 by K. Hoffman 5.0 out of 5 stars Good Refresher The reviews of this book on this site are very mixed. That's probably because the book assumes some context. Read more Published on November 24, 2003 by Aaauger 4.0 out of 5 stars SE VOCE FALA PORTUGUES Although the instructions are devoted to a more relaxed form of Portuguese language, it may work well in Portugal where Portuguese is carried in a more formal environment. Read more Published on October 21, 2001 by M. Silva 4.0 out of 5 stars Way To Brush Up On Your Portuguese Just like other books in its' catalogue, Cortina's "Conversational Brazilian-Portuguese" is a good way to brush up on your language skills. Read more Published on December 31, 2000 by Luis Hernandez Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Cortina; 3rd edition (September 15, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805015035
• ISBN-13: 978-0805015034
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,028,132 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Essentials of the language of Brazil, April 1, 2000

By	bill mackay (Chicago, Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews

I first became acquainted with Conversational Brazilian Portuguese in Boston years ago and it was a valuable guide to a new, strange and wondrous language. It has been updated in the years since its first publication yet it retains the essential elements of the language. Most chapters contain interesting dialogue sections as well as new vocabulary. Many exercises use repetition of different verb forms . One of the best features is the way that grammar is incorporated into the text rather than being isolated from the conversations. The book has a Portuguese-English index, a guide to pronunciation, an explanation of verb usage (including 20 very commonly used irregular verbs), and also a grammatical reference that clearly explains hard-to-grasp items in the chapters. Unnecessary english is avoided which helps the student to stay in the language while studying. Occasionally some rather formal constructions are used that you may not encounter much in spoken brazilian. Slang and idiomatic patterns are kept to a minimum as the focus here is on getting a good foundation in the fundamentals of brazilian. For someone new to this language or wanting a solid brush-up this book is a fine tool.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Ridiculously out of date, not how Brazilians speak today., September 9, 2003

By	"ginos-books" (California) - See all my reviews

Page 115 tell us the capital is Rio de Janeiro. Hello! Brasilia has been the capital since 1960!

If it was only that the book spends too much print teaching us how to ask the barber for a shave, or looking for a milliner to make me a new hat, I wouldn't be too upset, but the grammer and pronunciation the book is NOT Brazilian.

My wife, born, raised and educated in Sao Paulo, has forbidden me to use the book. There are too many things (placement of objects, the selection of second person pronouns, pronunication and more) that she had to un-teach me after I studied the book.

Do yourself a favor and look elsewhere.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Please buy other Portuguese books, June 29, 2000

By	LAK "la13" (Alexandria, VA USA) - See all my reviews

Oi, Este livro é útil se você falar algum português. If you did not understand what I said, then maybe you should start with a beginner's text. The Cortina method is not properly organized and lacking an audio tape. But, if you are familiar with a couple tenses, this book might be a good review. Lonely Planet phrasebook is a good start and 501 Conjugated Portuguese verbs is great for those desiring business fluency or intermediate students.

Boa sorte! -Lisa