That the Portuguese language represents a stigma for many cannot be denied, this is a fact. But how can we deny something that belongs to us, that represents our mother tongue? Undoubtedly, what characterizes it like this is if not its complex character, because in the midst of so many rules, so many exceptions, what to do?
At school... there are labels for this or that student who, by chance, writes incorrectly, or sometimes pronounces some words inappropriately. And at work? This one also did not fall short of the events.
In this way, through the evidence of the facts, we can understand the reasons for such a conception. However, we must never “face” spelling as if it were a monster, which only causes us panic. What we really must keep in mind is that we need to be aware of all the peculiarities that guide the facts that govern it, in order to reveal our knowledge in the specific situations of our daily. Speaking or writing well is not a matter of choice, but of necessity, and that is not why there are reasons for so many adversities. Therefore, the article in question aims to point out some clarifications on this subject, especially with regard to orthographic issues. They also share the same nature, don't they? And to top it off, we now live with the new spelling changes, effective since January 1, 2009.
Don't worry, all adjustments require a certain amount of time. To do this, don't feel like you need to be aware of all the changes as if by magic, overnight. Remember that writing “walks” in steps simultaneously with practice, that is, the more we write, the more we are able to adapt to all the requirements that are part of it. In fact, it is believed that this adaptation is often mechanistic, visual, because as we establish familiarity with the reading, we are going to internalize the way in which words are spelled, in addition to contributing too much to the enrichment of our lexicon. So, if the hyphen rules afflict you (a), take a deep breath and believe that over time everything will adjust and become more and more familiar.
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However, this finding is not synonymous with self-indulgence, that is, it is not a natural phenomenon. For this to happen, we need to rely on the help of certain elements, such as reading attendance and writing improvement. But there is still an element that we should not get rid of – the dictionary. Whenever we feel in doubt about the spelling of this or that word, there it will be... ready to assist us for any eventualities. And here's one more tip! Even if we consult several of them, very respectable, by the way, it is always good to have the opportunity to consult the VOLP (Orthographic Vocabulary of the Portuguese Language), since it is considered to be truly official.
By Vânia Duarte
Graduated in Letters
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
DUARTE, Vânia Maria do Nascimento. "Discussing Some Spelling Strategies"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/gramatica/discutindo-algumas-estrategias-referentes-ortografia.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.