Was the Portuguese language influenced in any way by the French language, and if so, how?

Answer 1

Hi there,

Yes, the Portuguese language has been influenced by French in several ways over the centuries, particularly in terms of vocabulary. This influence can be traced back to various historical and cultural interactions between Portugal and France.

Key Influences:

Medieval Period:

During the medieval period, France had a significant cultural influence on Europe, including Portugal. Many Portuguese words related to chivalry, court life, and the arts were borrowed from Old French. For example:

“Chapéu” (hat) - from Old French “chapel”.

“Jardim” (garden) - from Old French “jardin”.

Renaissance and Enlightenment:

The Renaissance and Enlightenment periods saw a renewed interest in French culture, philosophy, and science. Many French terms from these periods entered Portuguese, especially in the fields of science, art, literature, and politics. For example:

“Ballet” (ballet) - from French “ballet”.

“Mobiliário” (furniture) - from French “mobilier”.

19th and Early 20th Centuries:

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, French culture was highly fashionable in Portugal, influencing many aspects of life, including language. This period saw a substantial influx of French words, especially in areas such as fashion, cuisine, and technology. For example:

“Bilhete” (ticket) - from French “billet”.

“Garagem” (garage) - from French “garage”.

Examples of French Influences in Vocabulary:

“Abajur” (lampshade) - from French “abat-jour”.

“Champanhe” (champagne) - from French “champagne”.

“Hotel” (hotel) - from French “hôtel”.

“Chef” (chef) - from French “chef”.

Pronunciation and Orthography:

While the primary influence of French on Portuguese has been lexical, some pronunciation and orthographic conventions in borrowed words reflect their French origins. For instance, the nasal sounds and the use of certain accents like the circumflex (ê) can be traced back to French influence.

Conclusion:

The French influence on Portuguese is a testament to the rich tapestry of cultural and linguistic exchanges in European history. These borrowed terms have been fully integrated into Portuguese, enriching its vocabulary and reflecting the historical ties between Portugal and France.

If you have more questions about the Portuguese language or its history, feel free to reach out. I'm here to help!

Best regards,

Rubens

Answer 2

You'll notice that Portuguese has commonality among Spanish, French and Italian. It's probably closest to Spanish.

Answer 3

The reason why French had some influence over the Portuguese language was because Galician and Portuguese were both spoken languages during the Kingdom of Galicia in North Spain. Portuguese also has imported words from Asian and African countries and was definitely based on Vulguar Latin and Arabic.

I am personally from Sicily, Italy and when I started learning Portuguese I learnt so many connection between Portuguese and Sicilian because of the Arabic influence.