Introduction

Importance of studying the letter H

The letter 'H' represents a crucial component of the Portuguese language. Even though silent most of the time, the letter 'H' plays a fundamental role in forming various words and in ensuring correct pronunciation.

The 'H' poses a significant challenge for students learning Portuguese as a second language, as well as for native speakers who often use it incorrectly. Therefore, mastering the use of 'H' will greatly enhance your proficiency in Portuguese. Through this study, you will be able to decipher words, pronounce sounds correctly, and write accurately.

Contextualization

Within the spectrum of grammar, we dedicate this moment to the specific study of the letter 'H' so that you gain a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the role of this letter in our language. This unit is essential to complement your knowledge of letters and enhance your linguistic competence.

The discipline of Portuguese is constantly evolving and, as such, requires continuous exploration of its fundamental elements. The letter 'H' is just one of many, but it is one of the most intriguing, as it is often overlooked, yet its presence (or absence) is always noticed.

By exploring the letter 'H', we are expanding our understanding of the Portuguese writing system and strengthening our ability to read, write, and pronounce with precision.

Remember, mastering the language begins with mastering its letters! Let's begin!

Theoretical Development

Components

• Initial H: In Portuguese, the vast majority of words with 'H' use it as the initial letter. However, most of these words are of foreign origin, mainly from English, French, or German. Examples: hotel, hábito, história, humano, humor.

  • It gives the reader a hint that the pronunciation will be different from what is expected in the phonetic form of Portuguese.
  • In some words with the letter 'H' at the beginning, the 'H' is silent, as in 'honesto' and 'umidade'.

• Medial H: The 'H' can also appear in the middle of the word. Here, its presence indicates the foreign origin of the term, mainly from Greek and Latin. Examples: álgebra, biologia, histórico, hierarquia, ortodoxo.

  • In these cases, the 'H' is usually silent, not altering the pronunciation of the word.

• Final H: The presence of 'H' at the end of words is very rare in the Portuguese language. It occurs mainly in terms of foreign origin. Examples: cítrico, fósforo, míssil.

  • In many cases, the final 'H' is also silent, not being pronounced in speech.

• Digraphs with H: The 'H' can form digraphs with other letters, and this combination mostly ends up altering the original sound of the letter. Examples: nh (sonorized as ñ), lh (ly), ch (k). The combined form of these letters with 'H' ends up creating a new letter in the Brazilian alphabet.

Key Terms

• Digraph: A sequence of two letters that represent a single sound. In the case of Portuguese, we have three digraphs formed with 'H': nh, lh, and ch.

• Silent: Refers to the letter that does not have an audible pronunciation in a certain position in the word. In the case of 'H', it can be silent in the initial, medial, and final positions of the word, depending on the origin of the term.

• Foreignism: Word or expression from a foreign language that has been incorporated into another. The presence of 'H' in various words of the Portuguese language is an indication of the influence of foreign languages.

Examples and Cases:

• Starting with H: The word 'herança' starts with the letter 'H', indicating that its initial sound will be 'r', contrary to what would be expected by the phonetics of the Portuguese language.

• In the middle of the word: In the word 'biologia', the 'H', being of Greek origin, is silent, not altering the pronunciation of the word.

• Ending with H: The term 'cítrico' has the 'H' at the end, an indication of foreign origin.

• Formation of digraph with H: The sound 'ñ' in the digraph 'nh', as in 'banho', shows the ability of 'H' to alter the pronunciation of other letters.

Remember: correct and persistent practice is the key to mastering the use of the letter 'H' in Portuguese!

Detailed Summary

Key Points:

• Common usage, yet peculiar: The letter 'H' is widely used within the Portuguese language, but often goes unpronounced, especially when it is at the beginning, middle, or end of words.

• Distinct origins, varied rules: The pronunciation of 'H' in the Portuguese language varies according to the origin of the words. Words of foreign origin often keep the silent 'H'.

• Digraphs with H: The 'H' can form digraphs with other letters (nh, lh, ch), altering the original sound. For example, the digraph 'nh' sounds like 'ñ'.

• H in words of foreign origin: Many words with the letter 'H' in Portuguese are of foreign origin, especially from English, French, and German. Examples of this are: hotel, história, and humor.

Conclusions:

• Hidden complexity: Despite being a non-vocalized letter, 'H' presents hidden complexity in its applications in the Portuguese language, requiring special attention from students.

• Necessary understanding: For a deep understanding of the Portuguese language, it is crucial to understand the nuances of the use of 'H' in words, as it can alter pronunciation and indicate the origin of the term.

Exercises:

1. Identifying the origin: Given a set of words, identify the origin of those containing the letter 'H', and explain why its presence or absence is indicative of that origin.

2. Correct pronunciation: Read a passage of text aloud, paying special attention to the correct pronunciation of words with 'H'.

3. Digraphs with H: Write a set of words that contain the digraphs 'nh', 'lh', and 'ch', and pronounce them aloud, emphasizing the sound alteration caused by 'H'.