The Portuguese language is a member of the Romance group of the Italic subfamily of the Indo-European family of languages. It is the mother tongue of about 170 million people, chiefly in Portugal and the Portuguese islands in the Atlantic (11 million speakers); in Brazil (154 million speakers); and in Portugal's former overseas provinces in Africa and Asia (about 5 million speakers). Although the Portuguese spoken in Portugal differs to some extent from the Portuguese spoken in Brazil–with reference to pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary–the differences are not major.
Discover the range of Portuguese courses offered, from foundational language study to classes exploring Lusophone culture and literature.
Join our Portuguese Bate Papo to practice the language in a fun, conversational setting while connecting with others. These sessions help you build confidence, improve fluency, and explore topics rooted in Lusophone culture.
Meet our dedicated Portuguese faculty, each bringing expertise and passion to the classroom. Connect with the professors who support your academic journey through their listed contact information.