asset title: Grammar Lesson 20: This Just Isn&#39;t Spanish, Adapting to Handicapped
filename: tafalado_gra_20.mp3
track number: 46/46
time: 11:03
size: 7.77 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

Oh man, where did this word come from? After a whole series of lessons in pronunciation and grammar ... and now we learn a whole bunch of words where Spanish and Portuguese are totally different. If TÃ¡ Falado is supposed to show learners the similarities between these two languages, well, this lesson just won&#39;t do that. Today Michelle and Valdo give as words like embora, ainda, rapaz, jeito, cedo, and tomara. It is true that Spanish and Portuguese are similar in many ways. However, today we look at the words that are not similar at all.DialogPortugueseMichelle: Rapaz! VocÃª viu aquele cara na cadeira de rodas entrando no Ã´nibus hoje cedo? Valdo: Vi sim. Acho interessante esse jeito que os americanos tÃªm de lidar com as pessoas com necessidades especiais, adaptando as ruas e os Ã´nibus.Michelle: Pois Ã©, aqui as poltronas se fecham e as portas dos Ã´nibus se abaixam pra acomodar as pessoas.Valdo: Embora no Brasil os Ã´nibus nÃ£o tenham tantas adaptaÃ§Ãµes, ninguÃ©m pode reclamar porque o sistema de transporte pÃºblico Ã© bom.Michelle: TÃ¡, mas deixa eu fazer uma fofoca que talvez vocÃª nÃ£o se lembre: no Brasil nÃ£o tem ar nos Ã´nibus, a gente tem que abrir as janelas pra ventilarse.Valdo: Por outro lado, tem o calor humano. As pessoas podem atÃ© deitar umas em cima das outras de tÃ£o cheio que Ã s vezes os Ã´nibus ficam. TÃ¡ vendo... pra que melhorar?SpanishMichelle: Chico, Â¿viste tÃº aquella persona en la silla de ruedas que estaba entrando en el autobÃºs temprano esta maÃ±ana?Valdo: SÃ­, lo vi.  Pienso que es interesante esta manera que tienen los norteamericanos de ayudar a las personas que tienen necesidades especiales, adaptando las calles y los autobuses.Michelle: Pues, aquÃ­ las poltronas se cierran y las puertas de los autobuses se bajan para acomodar a las personas.Valdo: A pesar de que en el Brasil los autobuses no tengan tantas adaptaciones, nadie va a reclamar por que el sistema de transporte pÃºblico es bueno.Michelle: SÃ­, pero cuidado en no exagerar porque tal vez no te acuerdes pero en el Brasil no hay aire condicionado en los autobuses.  Hay que abrir las ventanas para ventilar.Valdo: Por otro lado, existe un calor humano. Las personas pueden hasta descansar unas encima de las otras porque a veces los autobuses anda muy llenos.  Lo ves, Â¿para quÃ© mejorar?EnglishMichelle: Man, did you see that guy in the wheel chair getting into the bus early this morning?Valdo: I did see him.  I think it&#39;s interesting the way that Americans take care of people who have special needs, changing the streets and the busses.Michelle: I know, here the seats close up and the doors of the bus can be lowered to accommodate the people.Valdo: Although Brazil doesn&#39;t have busses that have such ad

Grammar Lesson 20: This Just Isn't Spanish, Adapting to Handicapped

asset title: Grammar Lesson 19: Present Perfect, Naming People
filename: tafalado_gra_19.mp3
track number: 45/46
time: 16:09
size: 11.36 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

One of life's great mysteries is if a Brazilian marries someone from Venezuela, how do you figure out what their official name will be? We ought to be politicians because we spend the whole lesson talking about last names, middle names, and given names, but we never actually answer the question! In this lesson Michelle talks about what it has been like to explain her daughter's full name. Americans get a little confused. As to the grammar, we discuss the difference between phrases like 'have you been eating lately' and 'have you ever eaten before.'DialogPortugueseValdo: O que vocÃª tem percebido de diferente nesses Ãºltimos tempos em relaÃ§Ã£o a gravidez e filhos aqui nos Estados Unidos?Michelle: Eu tenho visto ultimamente que a questÃ£o dos nomes Ã© bem diferente do que no Brasil.Valdo: VocÃª jÃ¡ teve problemas com isso alguma vez?Michelle: JÃ¡ tive, sim. Eu tenho tido dificuldade recentemente em explicar para as pessoas aqui que minha filha tem dois sobrenomes.Valdo: Eh, vocÃª tem que se acostumar com isso, porque aqui as pessoas sempre tÃªm usado o sistema de nome do meio e Ãºltimo nome em vez de sÃ³ sobrenomes.Michelle: E Ã© isso que Ã© confuso aqui. Em todos os lugares que eu tenho ido nesses Ãºltimos meses as pessoas nÃ£o entendem que minha filha nÃ£o tem o segundo nome.SpanishValdo: Â¿QuÃ© has notado de diferente en esos Ãºltimos tiempos en relaciÃ³n a la gravidez y los hijos acÃ¡ en los Estados Unidos?Michelle: He notado Ãºltimamente que la cuestiÃ³n de nombres es muy diferente que en el Brasil.Valdo: Â¿Has tenido problemas alguna vez con eso?Michelle: SÃ­, Recientemente he tenido dificultades en explicarles a las otras personas que mi hija tiene dos apellidos.Valdo: SÃ­, hay que acostumbrarte con eso, porque aquÃ­ las personas han usado el sistema de usar un segundo nombre y apellido en vez de dos apellidos.Michelle: Es eso lo que me confunde aquÃ­.  En todos los lugares que he ido estos Ãºltimos meses, las personas no entienden que mi hija no tiene un segundo nombre.EnglishValdo: Have you been noticing anything different lately as related to pregnancy and having children here in the United States?Michelle: Lately I've been noticing that the issue of names has been very different from in Brazil.Valdo: Have you ever had any problems with this?Michelle: Yes I have.  Lately I've had some problems in explaining to people here that my daughter has two last names.Valdo: Yes, you need to get used to that, because here people have used the a system where they have a second name and a last name instead of two last names.Michelle: That is exactly what confuses me here. In all the places I've gone during these last few months, people don't understand why my daughter doesn't have a second name.

Grammar Lesson 19: Present Perfect, Naming People

asset title: Grammar Lesson 18: Word Order, Buses and Services
filename: tafalado_gra_18.mp3
track number: 44/46
time: 10:56
size: 7.69 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

So how weird would it be to be a Brazilian in the United States and see for the first time a bicycle attached to the front of a city bus? Sure enough, that would never happen on a bus in Brazil. These are the kinds of observations that North Americans would never make because, well, we think it's normal. It's all a matter of perspective. This lesson talks about those kind of cultural differences, and we do so while going over a lesson about word order. (We know the title doesn't sound all that exciting, but it really is an interesting grammar topic -- if you are into language learning.) DialogPortugueseMichelle: Eu acho interessante que existam pessoas que colocam suas bicicletas na frente dos Ã´nibus.Valdo: Pois Ã©, aqui nos Estados Unidos tem lugares especÃ­ficos nos Ã´nibus pra carregar bicicletas.Michelle: Eh, e sobram motivos aqui para as pessoas levarem suas bicicletas na frente dos Ã´nibus e irem sentadas.Valdo: Ã verdade! Sempre acontecem coisas inesperadas quando se anda de bicicleta, por exemplo: chuva, o sol muito quente, ladeiras.Michelle: De fato, sempre surge algum imprevisto que nos faz preferir o conforto do ar condicionado dos Ã´nibus.Valdo: Puxa, falta sÃ³ esse serviÃ§o para o transporte pÃºblico no Brasil ficar Ã³timo.SpanishMichelle: Yo creo que es interesante que existen personas que ponen su bicicleta en frente de los autobuses.Valdo: SÃ­, aquÃ­ en los Estados Unidos hay lugares especÃ­ficos en los autobuses para llevar bicicletasMichelle: SÃ­ y eso les dÃ¡ el incentivo a las personas aquÃ­ para que lleven su bicicleta en frente del autobÃºs para que se puedan sentar.Valdo: Es verdad.  Siempre nos suceden cosas inesperadas al andar en bicicleta, por ejemplo:  la lluvia, el sol muy fuerte, escaleras.Michelle: AdemÃ¡s, siempre surge algo imprevisto que hace que se prefiera el confort del aire condicionado del autobÃºs.Valdo: Caramba, nos falta ese servicio para el transporte pÃºblico en Brasil para que sea excelente.EnglishMichelle: I think that it's interesting that there are people who put their bicycles in front of the buses.Valdo: Yes, here in the United State we have specific places in front of the buses to carry bicycles.Michelle: Yes and it give people a reason to carry their bicycles in front of the bus so that they can sit down.Valdo: That's true.  Unexpected things always happen when riding a bicycle, for example: rain, hot sun, ladders.Michelle: In fact, some unexpected thing always comes up that makes you prefer the comfort of the air-conditioned bus.Valdo: Gee, that's what we're missing in Brazil to make our public transportation system the best.

Grammar Lesson 18: Word Order, Buses and Services

asset title: Grammar Lesson 17: TambÃ©m x TambÃ©m nÃ£o, Online Activities
filename: tafalado_gra_17.mp3
track number: 43/46
time: 9:44
size: 6.85 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

Spanish speakers who are used to saying tampoco will now have to learn how to say tambÃ©m nÃ£o in Portuguese. It just sounds cute somehow. Culturally, Michelle and Valdo talk about all the things that are offered online in the United States, much more than in Brazil.  In this lesson we also mention the sensitive subject of toll roads in Austin, Texas.  We are still getting used to the idea, so forgive us if we're a little touchy about it.  It may be common in other places, but we still don't like it, even if you can make payments online!DialogPortugueseValdo: Esse fim de semana eu tive que renovar os livros que eu tomei emprestado da biblioteca.Michelle: Que coincidÃªncia, eu renovei os meus tambÃ©m. Ainda bem que aqui a gente pode fazer isso online.Valdo: Ã verdade! Aqui nos Estados Unidos as pessoas usam a Internet tambÃ©m pra pagar contas, comprar coisas, pedir filmes, fazer lista de presentes ...Michelle: Mas infelizmente nÃ£o consegui fazer minha matrÃ­cula para o prÃ³ximo semestre porque o sistema estava fora do ar.Valdo: Que interessante, eu tambÃ©m nÃ£o consegui. A hora que eu tentei estava fora do ar tambÃ©m.Michelle: Pois Ã©, e eu tambÃ©m nÃ£o pude pagar o pedÃ¡gio online. Vou ver se faÃ§o isso hoje Ã  noite.SpanishValdo: Este fin de semana yo tuve que renovar algunos libros que tomÃ© emprestado de la biblioteca.Michelle: QuÃ© coincidencia, yo tambiÃ©n renovÃ© los mÃ­os.  Que bueno que aquÃ­ se pueda hacer eso online.Valdo: Es verdad!  AquÃ­ en los Estados Unidos las personas usan el Internet tambiÃ©n para pagar las cuentas, comprar cosas, pedir pelÃ­culas, hacer listas de regalos ...Michelle: Pero infelizmente no pude hacer la matrÃ­cula para el prÃ³ximo semestre porque el sistema no estaba funcionando.Valdo: QuÃ© interesante, yo tampoco lo conseguÃ­.  Cuando intentÃ© el sistema tampoco funcionaba.Michelle: Pues, yo tampoco pude pagar el peeaje online, veremos si lo consigo esta noche.EnglishValdo: This weekend I had to renew some books that I borrowed from the library.Michelle: What a coincidence, I renewed my books too.  It's a good thing that here you can do that online.Valdo: It's true!  Here in the United States people also use the Internet to pay bills, buy things, order movies, make gift lists ...Michelle: But unfortunately I couldn't register for next semester's classes because the system wasn't working.Valdo: How interesting, I couldn't do it either.  When I tried things weren't working either.Michelle: Yea, I couldn't pay the toll  either, we'll see if I can do it tonight.

Grammar Lesson 17: TambÃ©m x TambÃ©m nÃ£o, Online Activities

asset title: Grammar Lesson 16: Placement of Indirect Pronouns, Greeting Friends
filename: tafalado_gra_16.mp3
track number: 42/46
time: 12:33
size: 8.82 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

In this lesson, Michelle claims that most people give women one kiss on the cheek when greeting and when saying goodbye. Valdo thinks that it is more common to give two kisses, one on each cheek.  And there are even places where a third kiss is given.  How difficult can it get?  As to grammar, years ago Orlando was once caught saying, in Spanish, MarÃ­a quiere me ayudar.  To his surprise he found out that Spanish speakers are not supposed to put the indirect pronoun &#39;me&#39; between the verbs.  So, for you who are learning Portuguese, you get to learn the opposite: in Portuguese the pronoun goes between the auxiliary and main verb.  There is no problem in saying, Maria quer me ajudar.DialogPortugueseMichelle: Quando alguÃ©m vai nos apresentar a outra pessoa aqui nos Estados Unidos, o que acontece?Valdo: Aqui, mesmo que as pessoas queiram te beijar nÃ£o Ã© o costume. O mÃ¡ximo que elas vÃ£o fazer Ã© te estender a mÃ£o.Michelle: Pois Ã©, no Brasil as pessoas sÃ£o mais informais. Elas jÃ¡ vÃ£o nos beijando e abraÃ§ando logo de cara.Valdo: EntÃ£o, e Ã© atÃ© engraÃ§ado Ã s vezes porque elas vÃªm me dar um beijo e eu estou acostumado com dois.Michelle: Ã verdade! E dependendo da regiÃ£o do Brasil Ã© atÃ© trÃªs. Pra vocÃª ver que quando os americanos vÃªm nos cumprimentar, a gente sempre espera algo mais informal.Valdo: Nem espere! Aqui nos Estados Unidos as pessoas sÃ£o bem mais formais do que no Brasil, muitas vezes elas nem vÃ£o te tocar e jÃ¡ estÃ£o dizendo: desculpa, com licenÃ§a, por favor, sinto muito ...SpanishMichelle: Cuando alguien nos va a presentar a otra persona aquÃ­ en los Estados Unidos, Â¿quÃ© sucede?Valdo: AquÃ­, aunque las personas quieran besarte, eso no es la costumbre.  Lo mÃ¡ximo que van a hacer es extenderte la mano.Michelle: Pues, en el Brasil las personas son mÃ¡s informales.  Eloas andan besÃ¡ndonos y abrazÃ¡ndonos desde luego.Valdo: SÃ­, y es un poco chistoso a veces porque ellos vienen a darme un beso y estoy acostumbrado a recibir dos.Michelle: Es verdad. Y dependiendo de la regiÃ³n en el Brasil hay hasta tres.  VerÃ¡s que cuando los americanos vienen a saludarnos, nosotros siempre esperamos algo mÃ¡s informal.Valdo: Ni lo esperes! AquÃ­ en los Estados Unidos las personas son mucho mÃ¡s formales que en el Brasil, muchas veces ni siquiera te tocan y luego ya estÃ¡n diciendo: perdona, con permiso, por favor, siento mucho ...EnglishMichelle: When someone wants to introduce us to another person here in the United States, how is that done?Valdo: Here, even if the people want to give you a kiss, that&#39;s not the custom.  The most they will do is to hold out their hand to you.Michelle: You&#39;re right, in Brazil people are more informal.  Everyone is kissing

Grammar Lesson 16: Placement of Indirect Pronouns, Greeting Friends

asset title: Grammar Lesson 15: False Cognates, Driver's License
filename: tafalado_gra_15.mp3
track number: 41/46
time: 10:50
size: 7.62 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

No kidding, Orlando was in Mexico City one time and saw a man in Chapultepec Park who was selling helados esquisitos.  Why would anyone want to buy 'weird' ice cream?  Turns out, in Spanish esquisito means exquisite, and Mexicans actually like to have their helado esquisito!  It's a positive thing.  In Portuguese, esquisito means strange or weird.  OK, that's what we mean by false cognates.  Although many words between Spanish and Portuguese are similar, there are others that trick you because the meaning isn't what you expect.DialogPortugueseValdo: VocÃª tirou sua carteira de motorista aqui no Texas?Michelle: Tirei sim.  E logo comecei a dirigir pra todos os lugares.Valdo: VocÃª nÃ£o ficou surpresa ao saber que aqui se consegue a carteira aos 16 anos?  Porque no Brasil sÃ³ a partir dos 18. E o seu teste, vocÃª foi bem?Michelle: VocÃª acredita que eu coloquei meu apelido no computador ao invÃ©s do meu nome e sobrenome?Valdo: Ah, Ã© que vocÃª ainda estava grÃ¡vida!  VocÃª nÃ£o ficou embarassada em dirigir no dia do teste com aquele barrigÃ£o?Michelle: Claro que nÃ£o!  Eu atÃ© freqÃ¼entei a universidade grÃ¡vida.SpanishValdo: Â¿Sacaste tÃº la licencia de conducir aquÃ­ en Texas?Michelle: SÃ­, la saquÃ©.  Y despuÃ©s empecÃ© a manejar por todos los lugares.Valdo: Â¿No te sorprendiste al saber que aquÃ­ se consigue la licencia a los 16 aÃ±os de edad?  Porque en el Brasil sÃ³lo a partir de los 18.  Y tu examen, Â¿cÃ³mo saliste?Michelle: Â¿Puedes creer que puse mi sobrenombre en la computadora en lugar de mi nombre y apellido?Valdo: Y todavÃ­a estabas embarazada!  Â¿No te avergonzaste en manejar el dÃ­a del examen con esa barriga?Michelle: Claro que no!  Yo tambiÃ©n asistÃ­ a la universidad embarazada.EnglishValdo: Did you get your driver's license here in Texas?Michelle: Yes, I got it.  And then I began to drive everywhere.Valdo: Weren't you surprised to find out that here one can get their driver's license at 16?  Because in Brazil you have to be 18.  And how about your test, how did it go?Michelle: Can you believe that I put my nickname on the computer instead of my first and last name?Valdo: Wow, and you were still pregnant!  Weren't you embarrassed about driving for your test with that big stomach?Michelle: Of course not!  I even attended the university while pregnant.

Grammar Lesson 15: False Cognates, Driver's License

asset title: Grammar Lesson 14: Absence of Direct Object Pronouns, Mobile Homes
filename: tafalado_gra_14.mp3
track number: 40/46
time: 10:24
size: 7.32 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

OK, so you are driving down the freeway and you see a semi going 70 mph and there is a mobile home being pulled along.  Well, yes, I do see why that would seem rather shocking to a Brazilian. Thanks go to Valdo and Michelle for making that observation.  Grammar-wise, we are also going to talk about dropping direct object pronouns.  Better to drop pronouns than mobile homes from semis!DialogPortugueseMichelle: VocÃª viu aquele caminhÃ£o levando aquela casa inteirinha?Valdo: Vi sim.  Que coisa, nÃ©?Michelle: Pois Ã©, a primeira vez que vi tomei um susto.  VocÃª compraria aquela casa pra vocÃª?Valdo: NÃ£o, nÃ£o compraria nÃ£o.  Prefiro a minha casa de concreto no Brasil que estÃ¡ bem presa ao chÃ£o.  E vocÃª transportaria sua casa assim com tudo dentro?Michelle: Transportaria sim.  Por que?  VocÃª nÃ£o gosta desse sistema nÃ£o?Valdo: NÃ£o gosto muito nÃ£o.  Como jÃ¡ te disse, prefiro minha casa bem presa ao chÃ£o.SpanishMichelle: Â¿Viste tÃº aquel camiÃ³n llevando aquella casa entera?Valdo: SÃ­ lo vi.  QuÃ© cosa, Â¿verdad?Michelle: Pues, la primera vez que lo vi, me asustÃ©.  Â¿ComprarÃ­as tÃº aquella casa?Valdo: No, no la comprarÃ­a.  Prefiero que mi casa en Brasil sea de concreto y que estÃ© bien fijada en el suelo.  Â¿TransportarÃ­as tÃº la casa asÃ­ con todo adentro?Michelle: SÃ­, la transportarÃ­a.  Â¿Por quÃ©?  Â¿A ti no te gusta el sistema?Valdo: No me gusta mucho.  Como ya te dije, prefiero una casa que estÃ© en el suelo.EnglishMichelle: Did you see that truck carrying that whole house?Valdo: I did see it.  How weird, huh?Michelle: Yeah, the first time that I saw one it surprised me.  Would you ever buy that house for you?Valdo: No, I wouldn't buy it.  I prefer a concrete home in Brazil that is well attached to the ground.  And would you transport your house like that with every thing in it?Michelle: Yes, I would transport it.  Why?  Don't you like the system here?Valdo: No, I don't like it a lot.  As I already told you, I prefer my house to be stuck to the ground.

Grammar Lesson 14: Absence of Direct Object Pronouns, Mobile Homes

asset title: Grammar Lesson 13: Gender in Portuguese and Spanish, Buying Alcohol
filename: tafalado_gra_13.mp3
track number: 39/46
time: 11:33
size: 8.12 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

To be clear, we are referring to gender agreement. Get ready: although gender is 95% the same between Spanish and Portuguese, there are a few words that change. Is it o leite or a leite? O sal or a sal? O origem or a origem? Valdo and Michelle clarify things for us. Culturally, at what age can you buy alcohol in Brazil?DialogPortugueseValdo: O leite, o mel e o sal que vocÃª pediu para eu comprar jÃ¡ estÃ£o aqui.Michelle: E o vinho, a cerveja e a Ã¡gua, vocÃª nÃ£o trouxe? E o computador, onde estÃ¡?Valdo: Eta, esqueci da Ã¡gua e do computador. Mas as bebidas alcoÃ³licas nÃ£o me deixaram trazer porque eu estava sem minha identidade.Michelle: Mas como assim? Qual a origem disso?Valdo: Pois Ã©, eles fizeram uma anÃ¡lise equivocada do meu rosto. Acharam que eu tinha menos de 21 anos.Michelle: Mas isso Ã© um bom sinal, Valdo.  Acharam que vocÃª era de menor! Mas vocÃª sabe que independente da idade vocÃª sempre tem que mostrar a identidade para comprar Ã¡lcool aqui.SpanishValdo: La leche, la miel, y la sal que pidiÃ³ que comprara ya estÃ¡n aquÃ­.Michelle: Y el vino, la cerveza y el agua, Â¿no los trajiste?  Y la computadora, Â¿dÃ³nde estÃ¡? Valdo: Ay, se me olvidÃ³ el agua y la computadora.  Pero no permitieron que comprara las bebidas alcohÃ³licas porque no llevaba mi identificaciÃ³n.Michelle: Â¿Pero como asÃ­?  Â¿CuÃ¡l es el origen de eso?Valdo: Pues, se equivocaron en el anÃ¡lisis de mi rostro.  Pensaron que tenÃ­a menos de 21 aÃ±os.Michelle: Pero eso es una buena seÃ±al Valdo.  Pensaron que eras mÃ¡s joven!  Y tÃº sabes que no importa la edade que tengas, hay que siempre mostrar la identificaciÃ³n para comprar alcohol aquÃ­.EnglishValdo: The milk, the honey, and the salt that you asked me to buy are already here.Michelle: And the wine, beer, and water, didn't you bring them?  And the computer, where is it?Valdo: Shoot, I forgot the water and the computer.  But they didn't let me buy the alcohol because I didn't have my ID.Michelle: What do you mean?  What's going on here?Valdo: Right, well they missed analyzed things based on my face.  They thought I was less than 21 years old.Michelle: But that's a good sign Valdo.  They thought you were younger!  But you know that it doesn't matter how old you are, you always have to show ID to by alcohol here.

Grammar Lesson 13: Gender in Portuguese and Spanish, Buying Alcohol

asset title: Grammar Lesson 12: Personalized Infinitive, Paying for your Education
filename: tafalado_gra_12.mp3
track number: 38/46
time: 13:07
size: 9.22 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

Not only are Brazilians thought of as being very friendly, now they even want to personalize their infinitive verbs!  Valdo and Michelle lead the way in showing us how to do the same.  Culturally, we talk about the price of education in the United States.  And take a peek at this picture!  Orlando's really into the Texas Pride.  Hook 'em Horns!DialogPortugueseMichelle: Ã bom fazermos as contas porque esse mÃªs vai ser duro pagar a universidade.Valdo: Quando eles mandarem o valor a gente se preocupa com isso.Michelle: Mas Ã© importante nÃ£o esquecermos que as universidades pÃºblicas aqui nos Estados Unidos nÃ£o sÃ£o gratuitas como no Brasil.Valdo: Pois Ã©, e como custa caro! Por isso Ã© que depois de terminarem os estudos os alunos estÃ£o todos pobres e endividados.Michelle: Ainda bem que para as universidades pÃºblicas no Brasil sÃ³ basta passarmos no vestibular e pronto.Valdo: Ã verdade. Para os alunos freqÃ¼entarem as universidades privadas no Brasil, eles tÃªm que pagar, mas para cursarem as pÃºblicas, que sÃ£o mantidas pelo governo, nÃ£o.SpanishMichelle: SerÃ­a bueno preparar el presupuesto porque este mes va a ser duro pagar la universidad.Valdo: Cuando ellos mandan la cuenta nos preocupamos mucho.Michelle: Pero es importante recordar que las universidades pÃºblicas aquÃ­ en los Estados Unidos no son gratuitas como en el Brasil.Valdo: Es verdad, y quÃ© caro es!  Es por eso que despuÃ©s de terminar con los estudios los alumnos estÃ¡n pobres y endeudados.Michelle: Lo bueno de las universidades pÃºblicas en el Brasil es que nada mÃ¡s se necesita pasar el vestibular y ya.Valdo: Es verdad.  Para asistir a las universidades privadas en el Brazil, hay que pagar, pero no para matricularse en las pÃºblicas, que son mantenidas por el gobierno.EnglishMichelle: It would be a good thing to do our budget because this month it is going to be tough to pay for the university.Valdo: When they send the bill we really get worried about things.Michelle: But it's important to remember that public universities in the United States are not for free like they are in Brazil.Valdo: Right, and it is expensive!  That's why after students are done with their studies they end up poor and in debt.Michelle: Fortunately in public universities in Brazil you just need to past the vestibular and that's it.Valdo: That's true.  For those students who would like to attend a private university, they'll have to pay. But for those who enroll in the public ones, which are paid for by the government, they don't need to.

Grammar Lesson 12: Personalized Infinitive, Paying for your Education

asset title: Grammar Lesson 11: Topic-Comment Patterns, Special Needs Privileges
filename: tafalado_gra_11.mp3
track number: 37/46
time: 12:01
size: 8.46 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

Just look at that barriga!  Clearly the polite thing to do, at least in Brazil, would be to have a special line at banks, post offices, and supermarkets for those that have 'special' needs.  However, the other day, in this condition, with that barriga, Michelle had to wait in line at the U.S. post office just like one of the 'regular' people.  Grammatically, Orlando seems to love topic-comment patterns almost too much.  Is it possible that grammar is really that interesting?DialogPortugueseMichelle: VocÃª acredita que eu fiquei quase duas horas na fila do correio ontem? LÃ¡ no Brasil, as grÃ¡vidas, elas tÃªm preferÃªncia.Valdo: Mas aqui os idosos, as grÃ¡vidas e as mulheres com crianÃ§as de colo, eles nÃ£o tÃªm prioridade nenhuma.Michelle: Pois Ã©, ainda bem que no Brasil isso Ã© lei. Meu pai, por exemplo, ele sempre pega a fila dos idosos no banco.Valdo: Por falar nisso, no Brasil um amigo meu, ele sempre leva a mÃ£e idosa pro banco sÃ³ pra nÃ£o pegar fila.Michelle: Eh, no Brasil as pessoas, Ã s vezes, elas usam e abusam desse direito.Valdo: Mas por outro lado, os cidadÃ£os americanos, eles nÃ£o tÃªm essas facilidades.SpanishMichelle: Â¿TÃº crees que tenÃ­a que esperar casi dos horas en la fila del correo ayer? En el Brasil, las mujeres embarazadas tienen preferencia.Valdo: Pero aquÃ­ los mayores, las embarazadas y las mujeres que tienen niÃ±os pequeÃ±os no tienen ninguna prioridad.Michelle: AsÃ­ es, lo bueno es que en el Brasil eso existe por ley.  Mi papÃ¡, por ejemplo, siempre entra en la fila de los mayores de edad que hay en el banco.Valdo: Hablando de eso, en el Brazil un amigo mÃ­o siempre lleva a su mamÃ¡ al banco para no tener que esperar en la fila.Michelle: SÃ­, en el Brazil, hay personas, a veces, que usan y abusan de ese derecho.Valdo: Pero por otro lado, los ciudadanos americanos no tienen estas facilidades.EnglishMichelle: Can you believe that I had to wait nearly two hours in the line at the post office yesterday?  In Brazil pregnant women are given preferred treatment.Valdo: But here the elderly, pregnant women, and women with small children don't seem to have any priority.Michelle: Right, it's a good thing that in Brazil this is the law.  My father, for example, always gets in the elderly line at that bank.Valdo: Speaking of which, I have a friend in Brazil who always takes his elderly mother to the bank with him so that he won't have to wait in line.Michelle: Yea, in Brazil sometimes there are people who use and abuse this right.Valdo: But on the other hand, Americans don't have these options.

Grammar Lesson 11: Topic-Comment Patterns, Special Needs Privileges

asset title: Grammar Lesson 10: Word Order of Negative Phrases, Paying for Parties
filename: tafalado_gra_10.mp3
track number: 36/46
time: 11:25
size: 8.02 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

'NÃ£o, nÃ£o sei nÃ£o.'  This is the pattern for Brazilians, to say 'no' three times in the sentence.  It's not that Valdo and Michelle are negative people, but they sure get their point across.  And speaking of their point of view, if YOU invite them to a party, YOU should really pay the tab!DialogPortugueseValdo: Michelle, vocÃª nÃ£o quer ir no aniversÃ¡rio do meu amigo? Vai ser em um restaurante aqui em Austin.Michelle: NÃ£o, eu nÃ£o quero nÃ£o.Valdo: Por que? CÃª nÃ£o quer comer comida boa nÃ£o?Michelle: Querer eu quero, mas aqui, mesmo sendo convidado, a gente tem que pagar! NÃ£o, isso nÃ£o estÃ¡ certo nÃ£o!Valdo: Eh, no Brasil nÃ£o se faz isso nÃ£o. Quem convida dÃ¡ banquete. Mas aqui Ã© assim, fazer o quÃª. VocÃª nÃ£o quer ir mesmo?Michelle: NÃ£o, nÃ£o e nÃ£o.SpanishValdo: Michelle, Â¿te gustarÃ­a ir a una fiesta de cumpleaÃ±os de un amigo mÃ­o? SerÃ¡ en un restaurante aquÃ­ en Austin.Michelle: No, no quiero.Valdo: Â¿Por quÃ©?  Â¿No quieres comer buena comida?Michelle: Querer, sÃ­ lo quiero, pero aquÃ­, aun cuando te invitan, somos nosotros quienes tenemos que pagar.  No, eso no es cierto!Valdo: SÃ­, en el Brasil no se hace asÃ­.  Quien invita es el que paga todo.  Pero aquÃ­ es asÃ­, Â¿quÃ© se puede hacer?  Â¿De verdad no quieres ir?Michelle: No, no quiero.EnglishValdo: Michelle, do you want to go to the birthday party of a friend of mine?  It will be in a restaurant here in Austin.Michelle: No, I don't want to.Valdo: Why?  Don't you want to eat some good food?Michelle: I want to, but here, even if you are invited, we have to pay.  No, that's not right!Valdo: Yea, in Brazil you wouldn't do that.  Whoever does the inviting provides for all.  But that's the way it is here.  Are you sure you don't want to go?Michelle: No way.

Grammar Lesson 10: Word Order of Negative Phrases, Paying for Parties

asset title: Grammar Lesson 9: Possessive Pronouns, How to Dress Like an American
filename: tafalado_gra_09.mp3
track number: 35/46
time: 12:29
size: 8.78 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

Who would have ever guessed that Valdo and Michelle think that jeans and flip flops make a strange combination?  Looks like we've just seen one more thing that makes Americans stand out.  Note that this picture has got three Brazilians trying to dress like North Americans!  Oh yes, and grammar-wise, we're talking about possessive pronouns.  You might say, OUR comments to YOUR lesson.DialogPortugueseMichelle: Valdo, olha pra aquela menina ... veja a bolsa dela!Valdo: O que Ã© que tem a bolsa dela? Ã parecida com a sua bolsa.Michelle: VocÃª sabe, no Brasil a gente nunca usaria uma bolsa de paetÃª como a dela durante o dia.Valdo: Ã verdade! Olha a calÃ§a dele ... jeans com chinelo!Michelle: Eh, por aÃ­ a gente percebe a diferenÃ§a entre a roupa deles e a nossa.Valdo: Mas esse Ã© o nosso conceito, como brasileiros, sobre a roupa deles. SerÃ¡ que aos olhos deles as suas roupas tambÃ©m nÃ£o sÃ£o um pouco bregas? SpanishMichelle: Valdo, mira aquella chica ... mira su bolsa.Valdo: Â¿CuÃ¡l es el problema con su bolsa?  Se parece a tu bolsa.Michelle: TÃº sabes, en el Brasil nunca usarÃ­amos una bolsa de lentejuelas como la de ella durante el dÃ­a.Valdo: Es verdad!  Mira sus pantalones ...  vaqueros con chinelas!Michelle: Por aquÃ­ te das cuenta de la diferencia entre su ropa y la nuestra.Valdo: Pero esa es nuestra idea, como brasileÃ±os, sobre su ropa.  Â¿SerÃ¡ que para ellos la ropa tuya serÃ­a un poco rara tambiÃ©n?EnglishMichelle: Valdo, look at that girl ... look at her purse!Valdo: What wrong with her purse?  I looks like your purse.Michelle: You know, in Brazil we'd never use a sequined purse like she's got during the daytime.Valdo: You're right!  And look at her pants ... jeans with flip flops!Michelle: Yea, around here you notice the difference between their clothing and ours.Valdo: But that is our idea, as Brazilians, about their clothes.  Don't you think that in from their perspective your clothes might seem a little tacky too?

Grammar Lesson 9: Possessive Pronouns, How to Dress Like an American

asset title: Grammar Lesson 8: Plural of words that end in 'Ã£o', Car Insurance
filename: tafalado_gra_08.mp3
track number: 34/46
time: 13:22
size: 9.40 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

So why is the plural of alemÃ£o alemÃ£es, but he plural of naÃ§Ã£o is naÃ§Ãµes?  And why would the plural of mÃ£o be mÃ£os?  You know what, Valdo and Michelle have some hints to clear it all up.  What's amazing is that they can talk about that and still have time to talk about car insurance in Brazil.DialogPortugueseMichelle: Minha situaÃ§Ã£o financeira melhorou e eu quero fazer um montÃ£o de coisas.Valdo: SÃ³ toma cuidado pra vocÃª nÃ£o ficar acostumada com um padrÃ£o de vida que nÃ£o Ã© o seu.Michelle: Mas os padrÃµes daqui sÃ£o diferentes do Brasil. As situaÃ§Ãµes sÃ£o outras e eu quero aproveitar.Valdo: Eh, vocÃª tem razÃ£o. Se vocÃª tem condiÃ§Ãµes de pagar um seguro alto, compra logo um carro zero!Michelle: Minha condiÃ§Ã£o financeira realmente estÃ¡ boa, mas eu nÃ£o quero fazer um seguro de automÃ³vel.Valdo: Mas aqui o seguro do carro Ã© obrigatÃ³rio.  No Brasil, a gente faz por outras razÃµes, vocÃª sabe, tipo ser roubado.SpanishMichelle: Mi situaciÃ³n financiera ha mejorado y quiero hacer un montÃ³n de cosas.Valdo: Pero cuidado para que no te acostumbres con el estÃ¡ndar de vida que no sea el tuyo.Michelle: Pero los estÃ¡ndar de aquÃ­ son diferentes a los del Brasil.  Las situaciones son diferentes y quiero aprovechar.Valdo: SÃ­, tienes razÃ³n.  Si tienes condiciones de pagar un seguro alto, compra luego un carro nuevo!Michelle: Mi condiciÃ³n financiera realmente estÃ¡ buena, pero yo no quiero comprar un seguro de automÃ³vil.Valdo: Pero aquÃ­ el seguro de automÃ³vil es obligatorio.  En el Brasil nosotros lo compramos por otras razones, sabes, como el robo.EnglishMichelle: My financial situation has improved and I want to do a whole bunch of things.Valdo: But be care that you don't get used to a standard of living that isn't yours.Michelle: But the standards here are different then in Brazil.  The situation is different and I want to take advantage of it.Valdo: Yea, you are right.  If you are in a condition to pay the high insurance, buy yourself a new car right away.Michelle: My financial situation is really just fine, but I don't want to buy car insurance.Valdo: But here car insurance is obligatory.  In Brazil we buy it for other reasons, you know, like against theft.

Grammar Lesson 8: Plural of words that end in 'Ã£o', Car Insurance

asset title: Grammar Lesson 7: Para with Indirect Pronouns, Ice Water at Restaurants
filename: tafalado_gra_07.mp3
track number: 33/46
time: 12:23
size: 8.71 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

For all of you who learned how to speak Spanish, we all relive the nightmare experience of learning direct and indirect object pronouns. Lo is direct, le is indirect. When you use both put the indirect first; but you can't say le lo, so change le to se and then say se lo, as in se lo di 'I gave it to him' ...  Bad memories for sure, but the good news is that none of that happens in Portuguese.  In fact, Brazilians hardly ever use indirect objects.  Instead they just say para ele 'to him', para ela 'to her', para eles 'to them'. That's what Orlando, Valdo, Michelle, and Jose LuÃ­s talk about in this lesson, which is just para vocÃªs!DialogPortugueseValdo: Por que o garÃ§om trouxe tanta Ã¡gua para aquele povo da outra mesa?Michelle: Aqui Ã© um costume servir Ã¡gua nos bares e restaurantes para os clientes mesmo quando se pede outra coisa pra beber.Valdo: GarÃ§om, traga duas cervejas pra gente, por favor. Nada de Ã¡gua!Michelle: Valdo, e pede pra ele uma salada de palmito tambÃ©m.Valdo: Puxa! O garÃ§om sÃ³ fica dando Ã¡gua pra eles, olha lÃ¡. Eles vÃ£o ficar bÃªbados com tanta Ã¡gua!Michelle: Aqui Ã© impressionante... assim que vocÃª chega, a primeira coisa que eles fazem Ã© entregar um copo cheio de Ã¡gua com gelo pra vocÃª.SpanishValdo: Â¿Por quÃ© el camarero les trajo tanta agua a aquellas personas de la otra mesa?Michelle: AquÃ­ a los clientes es normal servirles agua en los bares y restaurantes aÃºn cuando piden otra cosa para beber.Valdo: Camarero, trÃ¡iganos dos cervezas por favor.  Y nada de agua!Michelle: Valdo, pÃ­dele que traiga una ensalada de palmito tambiÃ©n.Valdo: Uau, el camarero continÃºa dÃ¡ndoles agua, mira.  Se emborracharÃ¡n con tanta agua.Michelle: AquÃ­ es impresionante ... luego que vengas, la primera cosa que hacen es entregarte un vaso lleno de agua con hielo.EnglishValdo: Why did the waiter take so much water to those people at that other table?Michelle: Here it's customary to serve customers water in bars and restaurants even when they have asked for something else to drink.Valdo: Waiter, bring us two beers please.  And no water!Michelle: Valdo, ask him to bring a heart of palm salad too.Valdo: Wow! The waiter keeps on giving them water, look at that. They are going to get drunk on so much water.Michelle: It's impressive here ... as soon as you arrive the first thing they do is bring you a glass full of ice water.

Grammar Lesson 7: Para with Indirect Pronouns, Ice Water at Restaurants

asset title: Grammar Lesson 6: The Verb 'Ficar', Studying in CafÃ©s
filename: tafalado_gra_06.mp3
track number: 32/46
time: 11:11
size: 7.87 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

In this lesson Orlando dreams about being able to use the verb 'ficar' when he is talking in Spanish.  Ah, if they just had that verb in Spanish, it would make things a lot easier.  Of course, for you Spanish speakers, you now have a chance to add 'ficar' to your Portuguese.  Whether it means to become, to be, to stay, to remain, to keep on, or any of the other meanings, you are sure to love this fantastic verb.  And whoever said that verbs weren't fun?  One caution, however, don't study your verbs in a cafÃ©, at least not in Brazil.  Michelle and Valdo have a hard time getting used to the idea of studying in a cafÃ©.DialogPortugueseValdo: Eu fico pensando como as pessoas aqui conseguem se concentrar nos estudos ficando horas e horas sentadas nos cafÃ©s.Michelle: Ã mesmo! No Brasil a gente geralmente fica em casa ou na biblioteca estudando.Valdo: Eu fico meio distraÃ­do com o movimento das pessoas entrando e saindo.Michelle: Fora que vocÃª fica mais pobre, porque pra ficar lÃ¡ vocÃª sempre tem que consumir algo.Valdo: E ainda ficar de molho na fila pra comprar qualquer coisa.Michelle: Ã, Ã s vezes eu fico com um pouco de receio de ir estudar nos cafÃ©s exatamente por isso.SpanishValdo: Sigo pensando como las personas aquÃ­ consiguen concentrarse en los estudios pasando horas y horas sentadas en los cafÃ©s.Michelle: De acuerdo.  En el Brasil generalmente nos quedamos en casa o en una biblioteca para estudiar.Valdo: Me distrai con el movimiento de personas que entran y salen.Michelle: Y ademÃ¡s uno pasa a ser mÃ¡s pobre porque para sentarse allÃ­ uno siempre tiene que tomar algo.Valdo: Y todavÃ­a tienes que esperar en la fila para comprar alguna cosa.Michelle: SÃ­, a veces me siento un poco reticente en estudiar en los cafÃ©s precisamente por eso.EnglishValdo: I keep wondering how people here can concentrate on their studies while sitting around for hours in cafes.Michelle: I know.  In Brazil we generally stay at home or study in the library.Valdo: I get distracted with all the movement of people coming in and out.Michelle: Besides that, you end up poorer because in order to stay there you have to keep drinking something.Valdo: And you've also got to wait in line just to buy something.Michelle: Yea, sometimes I feel a little reticent to study in cafes precisely because of that.

asset title: Grammar Lesson 5: Disappearing Reflexive Verbs, Use of Coupons
filename: tafalado_gra_05.mp3
track number: 31/46
time: 9:39
size: 6.79 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

Here's a trick question for Spanish speakers: Would it be better in Portuguese to say the equivalent of 'SiÃ©ntate' or 'SiÃ©ntese'?  Answer:  Don't worry about the reflexive pronouns.  Chances are that Brazilians won't use them either. In this lesson Valdo and Michelle help the rest of us to get a sense of the disappearing reflexive pronouns in Portuguese. Michelle also adds how cool she thinks the use of coupons is here in Texas as well.DialogPortugueseValdo: VocÃª deitou tarde ontem?Michelle: Deitei bem tarde e levantei bem cedinho.Valdo: Por que? Senta aqui e me conta.Michelle: Eu lembrei que tinha um monte de cupons que vencia hoje... daÃ­ eu corri pra loja para usÃ¡-los.Valdo: Eu acho legal esse sistema de cupons daqui. Sempre aproveito os descontos e ganho vÃ¡rias coisas de graÃ§a.Michelle: Oh, desculpe, tenho que ir... esqueci que tenho mais dois cupons pra usar agora Ã  tarde.SpanishValdo: Â¿Te acostaste tarde ayer?Michelle: Me acostÃ© muy tarde y me levantÃ© muy temprano.Valdo: Â¿Por quÃ©?  SiÃ©ntate aquÃ­ y cuÃ©ntame.Michelle: Me acordÃ© que tenÃ­a un montÃ³n de cupones que se vencÃ­a hoy ... asÃ­ corrÃ­ a las tiendas para usarlos.Valdo: Me gusta este sistema de cupones de aquÃ­.  Siempre aprovecho los descuentos y gano varias cosas gratis.Michelle: Oh, descÃºlpaame, tengo que irme ... se me olvidÃ³ que tengo dos cupones mÃ¡s que necesito usar esta tarde.EnglishValdo: Did you go to bed late yesterday?Michelle: I went to bed really late and I got up really early.Valdo: Why?  Sit down hear and tell me about it.Michelle: I remembered that I had a whole bunch of coupons that were expiring today ... so I ran to the store to use them up.Valdo: I love this system of coupons that they have here.  I always take advantage of the discounts and I get a lot of things for free.Michelle: Oh, I'm sorry, I've got to go ... I forgot that I have a couple of coupons that need to be used this afternoon.

Grammar Lesson 5: Disappearing Reflexive Verbs, Use of Coupons

asset title: Grammar Lesson 4: Future Subjunctive, Soda Refills at Restaurants
filename: tafalado_gra_04.mp3
track number: 30/46
time: 13:55
size: 9.78 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

When you go, you will buy a soda. If you buy a soda, you will get refills. As soon as you get refills, you will sit down with friends to talk.  Those who sit and talk with friends, will have a great time.  Yes, all of those sentences require the 'future subjunctive' in Portuguese.  So, if you listen to Orlando, Valdo, Michelle, and JosÃ© LuÃ­s, you will also learn how to use the future subjunctive.  Don't be intimidated, Spanish speaking friends, it's easier than you think!DialogPortugueseMichelle: NÃ£o sei, tÃ´ me sentindo meio gorda ... se a gente for jantar hoje Ã  noite eu sÃ³ vou tomar Ã¡gua.Valdo: Eu vou tomar refrigerante e o quanto eu puder, afinal com esse sistema de refil a gente pode beber o quanto quiser.Michelle: Eh, mas quando nÃ³s chegarmos lÃ¡ fique atento com os copos ...Valdo: Fique tranqÃ¼ila, os copos sÃ£o diferentes. E se estivermos com muita fome, serÃ¡ que eles vÃ£o deixar a gente repetir sem pagar de novo?Michelle: Claro que nÃ£o! O refil Ã© sÃ³ pra bebida.Valdo: Se Deus quiser a gente ainda vai adotar esse sistema no Brasil.SpanishMichelle: No sÃ©, me siento un poco gorda ... si comemos esta noche solamente voy a tomar agua.Valdo: Yo voy a tomar refrescos, y todo lo que pueda, a final con ese sistema de refill se puede beber cuanto desee.Michelle: EstÃ¡ bien, pero al llegar cuidado con los vasos ...Valdo: TranquÃ­late, los vasos son diferentes.  Y si tenemos mucha hambre, Â¿serÃ¡ que se permite que nosotros repitamos sin pagar otra vez?Michelle: Claro que no!  El refill es sÃ³lo para la bebida.Valdo: Si DiÃ³s quiere, tal vez podamos adoptar ese sistema en el Brasil.EnglishMichelle: I don't know, I'm feeling a little fat ...  if we go out to eat tonight I'm only going to drink water.Valdo: I'm going to drink sodas and as much as I want, after all, with this refill system we can drink as much as we want to.Michelle: OK, but when we get there keep an eye on your cups ...Valdo: Don't worry, the cups are different.  And if we are really hungry, do you think that they'll let us have seconds on food without paying again?Michelle: Of course not!  The refills are only for the drinks.Valdo: God willing, maybe we can adopt this system in Brazil.

Grammar Lesson 4: Future Subjunctive, Soda Refills at Restaurants

asset title: Grammar Lesson 3: Plurals with 'l', Gas Stations
filename: tafalado_gra_03.mp3
track number: 29/46
time: 13:15
size: 9.31 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

The plural of Brazil, if there were two of them, would be 'Brasis.'  Now that would be a strange word!  Spanish speakers aren't sure how to make those words that end in 'l' plural.  Orlando, Valdo, Michelle, and JosÃ© LuÃ­s try to tell us that it is as easy as drop the 'l' and add 'is,' but we're sure there is more to it than that.  While they are talking about plurals, Valdo and Michelle also tell us about their experience in getting used to self serve gas stations in the U.S. too!DialogPortugueseValdo: Aquele homem estÃ¡ fazendo sinal pra gente baixar o farol do carro?Michelle: NÃ£o! Vamos deixar os farÃ³is acesos ... E onde estÃ¡ o frentista pra colocar o combustÃ­vel no nosso automÃ³vel?Valdo: Aqui nÃ£o Ã© tÃ£o fÃ¡cil como no Brasil. Os automÃ³veis sÃ£o abastecidos pelo prÃ³prio motorista.Michelle: Como assim? Por que as coisas sÃ£o tÃ£o difÃ­ceis aqui?Valdo: Ah, nÃ£o Ã© tÃ£o difÃ­cil assim! Pagar com o cartÃ£o e colocar a mangueira no carro sÃ£o coisas bem fÃ¡ceis de fazer ... vocÃª consegue!Michelle: Ã, mas vocÃª tem que concordar que nÃ£o hÃ¡ sinais claros indicando nada disso.SpanishValdo: Â¿Aquel hombre nos estÃ¡ indicando que bajemos las luces del carro?Michelle: No! Vamos a dejar las luces ascendidas ... Â¿Y dÃ³nde estÃ¡ el mozo para poner el combustible en el carro?Valdo: AquÃ­ no es tan fÃ¡cil como en el Brasil.  Los carros son abastecidos por el propio motorista.Michelle: Â¿CÃ³mo asÃ­?  Â¿Por quÃ© las cosas son tan difÃ­ciles aquÃ­?Valdo: Ah, no es tan difÃ­cil asÃ­.  Pagar con la tarjeta y poner la manguera en el carro son cosas bien fÃ¡ciles de hacer ... tÃº lo consigues.Michelle: SÃ­, pero tendrÃ¡s que estar de acuerdo que no hay ninguna seÃ±a clara que indique nada de eso.EnglishValdo: That man is signaling that we should turn down the headlights?Michelle: No! Let's leave the lights on ...  And where is the attendant to put gas in our car?Valdo: It's not as easy here as it is in Brazil.  The cars are filled up by the drivers themselves.Michelle: What do you mean?  Why are things so difficult here?Valdo: It's not so difficult.  Paying with the credit card and putting the hose in your car are easy things to do ... you can do it!Michelle: Yea, but you have to agree that there are no clear signs indicating any of this.

Grammar Lesson 3: Plurals with 'l', Gas Stations

asset title: Grammar Lesson 2: Contractions, Getting Change From A Machine
filename: tafalado_gra_02.mp3
track number: 28/46
time: 12:20
size: 8.67 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

Can you believe how many contractions Portuguese has? : nesse, num, do, naquele, aos, pelo, etc.  The list goes on and on.  When speakers of Spanish catch on to these contractions, sentences become instantly easier to understand.  And that, of course, is what Orlando, Michelle, Valdo, and Jose LuÃ­s hope to do with today's lesson on contractions.  At the same time, culturally, Valdo and Michelle found it hard to find their change that automatically fell out of a machine at the supermarket.  Sure enough, that would be a new experience for visitors from Brazil.DialogPortugueseMichelle: Ficar na fila Ã© duro, nÃ©?Valdo: Que tal se a gente passar pelo meio e chegar naquele outro caixa?Michelle: Do lado de lÃ¡? TÃ¡ bom.Valdo: Viu, Ã s vezes me confundo com o troco nesses supermercados.  Por que eles nunca colocam as moedas nas nossas mÃ£os?Michelle: Porque as moedas caem das maquininhas que ficam ao lado do caixa.Valdo: Ah, tÃ¡ ... Ã© que nos supermercados brasileiros a gente recebe todo o troco dos prÃ³prios caixas.SpanishMichelle: Esperar en la fila es duro, Â¿verdad?Valdo: Â¿QuÃ© tal si pasamos por el centro y esperamos en aquel otro cajero?Michelle: Â¿Del otro lado?  EstÃ¡ bien.Valdo: Sabe, a veces me confundo con el cambio en esos supermercados.  Â¿Por quÃ© ellos nunca dejan las monedas en nuestra mano?Michelle: Porque las monedas caen de las maquinitas que estÃ¡n al lado de la caja.Valdo: Ah, entiendo ... es que en los supermercados brasileÃ±os uno recibe todo el cambio de los propios cajeros.EnglishMichelle: Wating in line is tough, isn't it?Valdo: How about if we go towards the middle and wait at the other cashier?Michelle: That other side over there?  OK.Valdo: You know, some times I get confused with the change in these supermarkets.  Why don't they ever put the change in your hands?Michelle: Because the coins come out of the little machines that are next to the cashier.Valdo: Ah, I get it, it's just that in the Brazilian supermarkets you get your change directly from the cashiers.

Grammar Lesson 2: Contractions, Getting Change From A Machine

asset title: Grammar Lesson 1: Gostar vs. Gustar,  Sitting on the Grass
filename: tafalado_gra_01.mp3
track number: 27/46
time: 10:49
size: 7.61 MB
bitrate: 96 kbps

We've made a switch. Welcome back to all who have previously listened to TÃ¡ Falado. Up to this point, we've always done pronunciation lessons. Today we introduce something new, our first grammar lesson! From here on out we'll look at some of those items that make Spanish speakers shake their heads and say, 'I thought Portuguese and Spanish were more similar than this.' In lesson one, Orlando, Valdo, Michelle, and Jose LuÃ­s talk us through the verb 'to like.' We, in fact, hope that you like the lesson too. Culturally, Valdo and Michelle confess that they have never understood why North Americans like to sit on the grass.DialogPortugueseMichelle: Valdo, olhe pro gramado. Veja como os universitÃ¡rios americanos gostam de livros, de mÃºsica ...Valdo: E vocÃª gosta de sentar na grama como eles para estudar?Michelle: NÃ£o, nÃ£o estou acostumada. Mas os alunos aqui nos Estados Unidos adoram.Valdo: Pois Ã©, nÃ£o gosto disso nÃ£o.  Ã um pouco desconfortÃ¡vel e tem muita formiga.Michelle: Eh, eu tambÃ©m nÃ£o gosto de formiga nÃ£o. Onde vocÃª prefere estudar?Valdo: Eu gosto muito de estudar no conforto da minha casa ou na biblioteca.SpanishMichelle: Valdo, mira la grama.  Ve como a los universitarios americanos les gustan os libros, y la mÃºsica ...Valdo: Te gusta sentarte en el cÃ©sped como ellos para estudiar?Michelle: No, no estoy acostumbrada.  Pero a los alumnos de aquÃ­ de los Estados Unidos les encanta.Valdo: Pues, a mÃ­ no me gusta.  Es un poco incÃ³modo y hay muchas hormigas.Michelle: De acuerdo. Tampoco me gustan las hormigas. Â¿DÃ³nde prefieres estudiar?Valdo: Me gusta mucho estudiar en la comodidad de mi casa o en la biblioteca.EnglishMichelle: Valdo, look at the lawn.  You see how American university students like music, book ...Valdo: Do you like to sit on the lawn to study like they do?Michelle: No, I'm not used to it.  But the students here in the United State love it.Valdo: Yeah, I don't like it either.  It is kind of uncomfortable and there are a lot of ants.Michelle: Yeah, I don't like ants either.  Where do you like to study?Valdo: I really like to study in the comfort of my home or in the library.

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