Posts from August 2009

New Music: Móveis Coloniais de Acaju

Posted by Rachel No Comments
Aug 24 2009

Móveis Coloniais de Acaju is a perfect example of why Brazilian music has become such a success on the international music scene. Blending rock, ska, Eastern European influences, and Brazilian music, it has created a unique and upbeat sound.

The band was formed in Brasilia, consisting of ten artists, including a flautist and trombonist. Its first record, “Idem,” was released in 2005. The band’s latest album was released online this year. They also released a successful single, “Sem Palavras,” in 2007, which was named one of the best songs of the year by Rolling Stone. The band was named after a famous battle of indigenous Brazilian tribes and Portuguese troops fighting the British in Tocantins in the 1700s.

On its Myspace page, the band is described as: “uma mistura de Kusturica com Hermeto, um pouco de Cuba com macarrão. Um pouco de Paulista sendo de Brasília, um pouco de Brasília sendo do Brasil, um pouco do mundo sendo da Terra e, por que não, um pouco de Karnak com Los Hermanos. Um pouco de Pato Fu com amendoim. Um pouco de móveis com cabelo, um pouco de sorte com pensamento, um pouco de dor com amor, um pouco de Solidão com quarto e sala com fiador. Gorbachev com Copacabana. Samba de russo, pagode de cego com Tom Waits. Se fosse Teatro seria Tadeus Kantor, se fosse Foto seria do Rodchenko, se fosse esquilo não sambaria.”

More links

Official website

Myspace Music

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Verbs to Know: Prefix “des”

Posted by Rachel No Comments
Aug 21 2009

Today, we’re going to discuss verbs that start with des. As to be expected, this prefix is a negative one, which negates the second part of the word. But this isn’t true of every single verb that starts with des; we’ll look at a few of the exceptions.

1. desconversar: to change the subject. Here, we have des + conversar (to converse), so literally, this could mean to unconverse.

Eu mencionei o que aconteceu com o ex-namorado dela, mas ela desconversou. I mentioned what happened to her ex-boyfriend, but she changed the subject.

2. desbloquear: to unblock, to release.  Bloquear (to block), with des as a prefix, most logically becomes unblock. This can also be used when referring to cell phones; unblocking the cell phone allows use you to use a SIM card from any phone company in Brazil.

O ladrão aprendeu como desbloquear celular, e colocou o próprio chip dentro do telefone roubado. The robber learned how to unblock cell phones, and put his own chip in the stolen phone.

3. desocupar: to vacate. Ocupar (to occupy), along with the des prefix, tranlates to unoccupy.

Os executivos desocuparam a sala antes do almoço. The executives vacated the room before lunch.

Exceptions

4. desenvolver: to develop. Though envolver means to involve, adding the -des changes the meaning.

O engenheiro irá desenvolver um novo modelo. The engineer is going to develop a new model.

5. desenhar: to draw, design.

A criança desenhou uma imagem de uma casa e a família dela. The child drew a picture of a house and her family.

U.S. to Invest $2 Billion in Brazilian Oil

Posted by Rachel 4 Comments
Aug 20 2009

This week, the Wall Street Journal revealed that the U.S. government plans to invest US$2 billion in Petrobras, Brazil’s state-run oil company. It is the largest company headquartered in the Southern Hemisphere and the largest company in Latin America in terms of revenue. Its assets, which include oil assets in Brazil and 18 other countries, amounts to $133.5 billion.

The investment, which is in fact a loan, is to help Petrobras explore the Tupi basin off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, which could potentially make Brazil one of the world’s biggest oil powers. The investment will go towards offshore drilling activities to take place over the next several years.

According to the article, a preliminary commitment of $2 billion is on the table, though that amount may increase. However, some experts are scratching their heads about the idea of a loan from the ailing U.S. Treasury to cash-rich Petrobras.

Also this week, the New York Times reported that the Brazilian government is seeking more control over Petrobras in an effort to prevent foreign influence and to ensure national control over the Tupi oil field. However, the reform plan, which is being promoted by President Lula, faces strong opposition in Congress.

Language Level Skills: Portuguese

Posted by Rachel 39 Comments
Aug 19 2009

For today’s interactive feature, I have an important question for all of our Portuguese Blog readers, which I’m hoping you will all answer, since it will help make a better blog.

The question is: What is your skill level of Portuguese? Beginner, low intermediate, mid intermediate, high intermediate, advanced, fluent? Are you able to speak? Read? Write?

Thank you for your help!

Acre Government Launches New Environmental Plan

Posted by Rachel No Comments
Aug 18 2009

The government of Acre, a small state in the Amazon rainforest that borders Peru, has launched a new plan aimed to curb deforestation. The proposal, which will go into effect in 2010, will monetarily reward Acre’s workers (including loggers, fish ranchers and indigenous tribes) who avoid cutting down trees and/or who actively protect the rainforest. People who produce the most using the smallest amount of space, and those who make a profit without affecting the environment will also receive funds.

Acre’s government plans to invest R$478 million (US$265.5 million) over the next fifteen years to cut down on carbon dioxide emissions. The first area to be targeted will be near the state’s largest highway, which suffers from some of the highest levels of deforestation. The government hopes to get some of its funding from a REDD program (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries), which is a compensation program for countries or companies that help cut down on carbon emissions.

Currently, 602 square kilometers of forest are destroyed each year in Acre. The plan hopes to minimize that number and bring it down to 120 square kilometers per year by 2020. If the plan works, an area as large as 3,649 square kilometers of forest could be saved. The plan would also have social benefits, as workers would receive financial compensation for doing their part in conserving the Amazon.

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