Contextualization

The Portuguese language, like almost all languages, is alive and constantly evolving. And part of this evolution comes from the incorporation of words from other languages, which we frequently use in our daily lives. These words, which come from other languages, are called 'anglicisms'. This is a common and natural practice, but it can raise some doubts when writing. Should we respect the original spelling of the word, from the language of origin, or should we adapt it to our spelling system?

During the times of colonization and globalization, the Portuguese language, like many other languages, underwent significant growth in the number of words originating from foreign languages. This phenomenon is mainly due to direct contact with speakers of other languages, whether through travel, trade, technology, or media, who introduce their terms and concepts into our vocabulary. Therefore, the study of the spelling of anglicisms is so relevant.

Understanding the rules and exceptions of how these words should be spelled is essential for us to write effectively and correctly. Similarly, understanding the origin and development of these words enriches our understanding of the language and intensifies our perspective on the world in which we live. With this study guide, let's navigate through the fascinating world of anglicisms, their origins, their rules, and, of course, their exceptions.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: 'Spelling of Anglicisms: A Linguistic Journey'

Project Objective:

The objective of this project is to apply the knowledge acquired in the classroom about anglicisms and their spellings, experiencing a collaborative and playful experience that stimulates curiosity, research, and learning about the Portuguese language.

Detailed Project Description:

Students, divided into groups of three to five members, must create a 'Dictionary of Anglicisms'. This dictionary should contain at least 50 foreign words that are commonly used in our daily lives, accompanied by their definitions, origin, example of use, and, of course, the correct way to spell them according to the standard of the Portuguese language.

In addition, each group will have to prepare a creative and playful presentation to show the chosen words, their origin, and use to the rest of the class. This presentation can be done using various resources, such as: theatrical performance, song, games, quiz, videos, etc. Use creativity to make learning fun and interesting!

Required Materials:

1. Paper and pen for notes and sketches.
2. Computer with internet access for research.
3. Materials needed for the presentation (depending on the format chosen by the group).
4. Text editing software for the preparation of the final report.

Detailed Step-by-Step:

1. Divide into groups of 3 to 5 students.
2. Discuss among yourselves and choose the 50 foreign words to be researched.
3. Conduct a detailed research on each word, noting its definition, origin, example of use, and the correct spelling.
4. With this information, prepare the 'Dictionary of Anglicisms'.
5. Next, plan and prepare a creative and playful presentation to share your learning with the class. Remember, the idea is to learn in a fun way!
6. Present your work to the class on the established date.
7. After the presentation, prepare a detailed report on the project.

Project Deliverables:

At the end of the project, each group must deliver the following items:

1. The 'Dictionary of Anglicisms' in printed or digital format.

2. Video or photo recording of the presentation made to the class.

3. A written report, following the following guidelines:

   • Introduction: Present the theme, the importance of anglicisms in our language, and the project's objective.
   • Development: Explain the theory of anglicisms and how the research process took place, as well as detail the preparation of the dictionary and the presentation. Also include the challenges encountered and how they were overcome.
   • Conclusions: Recap the main points, share the learnings and results obtained, and your conclusions about the work done.
   • Bibliography: List all the research sources used.

This project has a duration of one week to be completed, and the final report must be a minimum of three pages long.