O Uso de Vírgula Retrógada á á em Brasileiro

Brazilian Portuguese, spoken in Brazil, is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. It is known for its unique characteristics, vocabulary, and pronunciation differences compared to European Portuguese. One of the fundamental components of Brazilian Portuguese is the use of vowel marks and diacritical marks. In this article, we will be focusing on the "á" mark and its applications in Brazilian Portuguese.

What is the Á Mark?

The "á" mark is a diacritical mark which is used to indicate a change in the pronunciation of the letter "a". It is pronounced as in Spanish, open and deep in the back of the throat, similar to the "umlauted a" in German language.

History of the Á Mark

The "á" mark has been used in Portuguese since the 16th century, when it was introduced by Portuguese sailors and explorers who traveled to Brazil. The mark was used to distinguish between the sound of "a" in "pão" (bread) and "pã" (something on the bread).

Pronunciation of Á

Accent Mark Rule

In Brazilian Portuguese, the accent mark rule states that when the "á" mark is used, the vowel sound is always pronounced with an open, back-of-the-throat sound. This is in contrast to the acute accent mark "á" in European Portuguese, which is pronounced with a higher-pitched sound.

Examples of the Á Sound

Some common examples of the "á" sound in Brazilian Portuguese include:

• pão: pronounced as paw-naw
• árabe: pronounced as ah-rah-beh
• áfrica: pronounced as ah-frah-see-kah
• amá**: pronounced as _ah-mah

Exceptions to the Á Sound

While the "á" sound is generally pronounced as described above, there are some exceptions. In some regions of Brazil, particularly in the north, the "á" sound may be pronounced more softly or with a different vowel quality.

Uses of Á

The "á" mark has a wide range of applications in Brazilian Portuguese. Here are some examples:

• Pluralization: The "á" mark can be used to form the plural of nouns that end in a consonant.
• Indefinite articles: The "á" mark can be used with the indefinite articles "um" and "_uma".
• Possessive adjectives: The "á" mark can be used with possessive adjectives such as "meu" and "meia".
• Prepositions: The "á" mark can be used with prepositions such as "a" and "em".

Examples of the Á Mark in Sentences

Here are some examples of the "á" mark used in sentences:

• Eu como um pão com água: I eat a bread with water.
• A minha irmá está no quarto: My sister is in the room.
• Eu amo minha mãe e meu pai: I love my mother and my father.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the "á" mark is a fundamental component of Brazilian Portuguese that is used to indicate a change in the pronunciation of the letter "a". The mark has a wide range of applications and is used in various contexts, including pluralization, indefinite articles, possessive adjectives, and prepositions.

FAQ

Q: What is the pronunciation of the "á" mark in Brazilian Portuguese? A: The pronunciation of the "á" mark in Brazilian Portuguese is an open, back-of-the-throat sound.

Q: When is the "á" mark used in Brazilian Portuguese? A: The "á" mark is used in Brazilian Portuguese when the vowel sound needs to be distinguished from other vowels sounds.

Q: Can the "á" mark be used with other letters in Brazilian Portuguese? A: Yes, the "á" mark can be used with other letters in Brazilian Portuguese, such as "a" and "o".

References

1. Gramática da Língua Portuguesa. (2019). Lisboa: Academia Brasileira de Letras.
2. A Léxicos das Palavras. (2018). Rio de Janeiro: Editora Nova Fronteira.
3. A Sintaxe da Língua Portuguesa. (2017). São Paulo: Editora Scipione.
4. A Fonética e Fonologia da Língua Portuguesa. (2016). Rio de Janeiro: Editora Nova Fronteira.