Learning a new language. They say it broadens the mind, opens doors, and makes you sound impressively sophisticated. I thought, "Why not give it a go?" So, I embarked on a grand adventure to master Portuguese.
First off, Portuguese. It's a beautiful language, spoken in sun-kissed lands with stunning beaches and delicious food. But make no mistake—it's a minefield. The articles are the first hurdle. "A" becomes "um" or "uma," depending on whether the noun is masculine or feminine. Why? Who knows! Why is a car masculine ("um carro") and a house feminine ("uma casa")? It's enough to make your head spin.
And don’t get me started on pronunciation. Nasal sounds that could double as foghorns and rolled R’s that make you sound like you're gargling marbles. Yet, I was undeterred. I was going to conquer Portuguese if it was the last thing I did.
I speak Native Danish, English, ok Filipino and can make myself understood in German (if I really have to) and can keep up a conversation with a Norwegian or Swede on a good day. That does not make me a Polygot - far from it actually as I have always struggled learning languages to be honest. Having travelled around the world a lot I'm always facinated by language, accents, arms waving in Italy, the high notes of the Maltese language, the subtle tones of Danish with the silent consonants. I enjoy listening to French and always fun to hear Filipino with the many English words inserted. My favorite English accent being South African, don't know, just something incredibly cool about it. Do I have an ear for languages? Not at all, on the contrary, but I like to learn a couple of phrases from wherever we end up. We are looking at Greece for next year - so better get them Greek lessons started before we embark to visit the oldest civilization on earth... Enough about me... let's not get carried away - let's get on with my Portuguese Odyssey...
After months of looking around and talking with other expats, I decided it was time to get a language teacher to come to our house. We were 2 and must be cheaper, or so I thought. Driving an hour just to have my linguistic dreams realized were crushed as my car reversed (on it's own) into a vinyard...yeah, if you are going to crash a car - do it with style man!
Enter: Maria, our savior. We found a tutor who’d come to our house. Convenience at a cost, mind you.
Maria was a gem. She patiently navigated us through the labyrinth of Portuguese grammar. Why is a table feminine ("a mesa") and a book masculine ("o livro")? Who cares? Maria knew, and that was enough for me.
Gradually, we improved. The first time we ordered food in a restaurant without causing utter confusion was a moment of pure joy. I remember strutting up to the counter and ordering "dois cafés” and "um pastel de nata” (two coffees and a custard tart). When our order arrived perfectly, it felt like winning a small, but significant, victory.
Conversations started making sense. Well, mostly. There was that time I asked for "o garfo” (the fork) instead of "a garrafa” (the bottle) of wine and had to eat my food with 2 forks - and no wine mind you...But such moments became less frequent, and our confidence grew.
Then, just when we were getting the hang of it, we stumbled upon the idea of making a language platform and Salitana was born short after. No more long drives or exorbitant tutor fees. You get to choose from a plethora of teachers, filter by accent, price, availability—whatever you fancy. It’s like having a personal language concierge.
Conclusion
Learning Portuguese has been a wild ride. From the hair-pulling grammar lessons to the small victories in restaurants, every moment has been an adventure. And now, with Salitana, the future looks even brighter. So, if you’re contemplating learning a new language, jump in. The journey, my friends, is half the fun.
Até logo (see you later)!
Morten / Head Honcho of Salitana
