Summary of Dieresis

Dieresis | Traditional Summary

Contextualization

The Portuguese language has undergone various spelling reforms throughout its history, with the aim of unifying and simplifying the writing, making it more accessible and uniform. One of the most significant changes occurred with the implementation of the Orthographic Agreement of 1990, which brought several modifications, including the abolition of the diaeresis in common words. The diaeresis, which was used to indicate the pronunciation of 'u' in groups like 'qü' and 'gü', was kept only in proper names and their derivatives, preserving the identity and correct pronunciation of these names.

Before the Orthographic Agreement, the diaeresis was widely used in the Portuguese language to differentiate sounds and facilitate reading. Its abolition in common words was a measure to simplify spelling, but its maintenance in proper names and derivatives stemmed from the need to respect the original pronunciation of these names, many of which have foreign origins. Thus, names like 'Müller' and 'Hübner' still use the diaeresis to indicate the correct pronunciation, highlighting the importance of this diacritical mark in specific contexts.

History of the Diaeresis

The use of the diaeresis in the Portuguese language has its roots in the need to differentiate the pronunciation of certain letters, particularly the 'u' in combinations like 'qü' and 'gü'. Before the implementation of the Orthographic Agreement of 1990, the diaeresis was widely used for this purpose. Its main function was to indicate that the 'u' should be pronounced, which helped avoid confusions in reading and speaking. For example, without the diaeresis, the words 'lingüiça' and 'tranqüilo' could be read incorrectly.

With the orthographic reform of 1990, the use of the diaeresis was abolished in common words to simplify spelling and make writing more accessible. The decision to remove the diaeresis from common words was made with the intent of unifying the spelling across all Portuguese-speaking countries, facilitating learning and written communication. However, the diaeresis was maintained in proper names and their derivatives to preserve the correct pronunciation of these names, many of which have foreign origins.

The maintenance of the diaeresis in proper names respects the origin and cultural identity of these names, ensuring that they are pronounced correctly. Additionally, this decision prevents the complete abolition of the diaeresis from causing pronunciation and comprehension issues, especially in contexts where the correct pronunciation is essential. Thus, even after the reform, the diaeresis continues to play an important role in the Portuguese language, albeit in a more restricted manner.

• The diaeresis was used to indicate the pronunciation of 'u' in combinations like 'qü' and 'gü'.

• Its abolition in common words aimed to simplify spelling.

• The diaeresis was maintained in proper names and derivatives to preserve correct pronunciation.

Orthographic Reform of 1990

The Orthographic Reform of 1990 was an important milestone in the standardization of the Portuguese language, bringing several significant changes. One of the most notable alterations was the abolition of the diaeresis in common words, a measure aimed at simplifying spelling and making writing more uniform. The reform was the result of an agreement among Portuguese-speaking countries, with the goal of unifying orthographic rules and facilitating written communication among nations that speak Portuguese.

The abolition of the diaeresis was justified by the need to simplify writing, making it more accessible to all speakers of the Portuguese language. With the removal of the diaeresis, it is expected that writing becomes easier to learn and apply, especially for new students and those learning Portuguese as a second language. However, to ensure that certain pronunciations were preserved, the diaeresis was kept in proper names and their derivatives, where its presence is essential for correct pronunciation.

The reform also brought other changes, such as the elimination of certain silent consonants and the standardization of the use of graphic accents. These alterations contributed to a simpler and more coherent spelling, facilitating learning and written communication. However, the maintenance of the diaeresis in proper names highlights the importance of preserving cultural identity and correct pronunciation of these names, even amid an effort for orthographic simplification.

• The Orthographic Reform of 1990 aimed to unify and simplify the spelling of the Portuguese language.

• The diaeresis was abolished in common words, but kept in proper names and derivatives.

• Other changes included the elimination of silent consonants and standardization of graphic accents.

Examples of Diaeresis Use

Proper names that still use the diaeresis are good examples of its continued use in the Portuguese language. Notable examples include 'Müller', 'Hübner', and 'Brügger'. In these cases, the diaeresis is essential to indicate the correct pronunciation of 'u', differentiating these names from other words that could be read incorrectly without the diacritical mark. The presence of the diaeresis in these names helps preserve their identity and original pronunciation, which is often of foreign origin.

The name 'Müller', for example, is of German origin, and the diaeresis over the 'u' indicates a specific pronunciation that resembles the sound 'ü' in German. Without the diaeresis, the correct pronunciation of this name could be lost, resulting in confusion. Similarly, 'Hübner' and 'Brügger' also use the diaeresis to maintain the correct pronunciation according to their German origins. These examples show how the diaeresis still plays an important role in certain contexts, even after the orthographic reform.

In addition to proper names, the diaeresis can appear in derivatives of these names, ensuring that the correct pronunciation is maintained in all forms of the word. This practice helps preserve consistency and cultural identity of the names, respecting their origins and avoiding pronunciation confusions. Thus, the use of the diaeresis in proper names and derivatives remains an important part of the spelling of the Portuguese language.

• Examples of proper names with diaeresis include 'Müller', 'Hübner', and 'Brügger'.

• The diaeresis is essential to indicate the correct pronunciation of these names.

• The use of the diaeresis in derivatives of these names helps maintain correct pronunciation.

Comparison with Other Languages

The diaeresis is not exclusive to the Portuguese language; it is also used in several other languages to modify the pronunciation of vowels. In German, for example, the diaeresis (or Umlaut) is widely used to indicate a change in the pronunciation of the vowels 'a', 'o', and 'u', transforming them into 'ä', 'ö', and 'ü', respectively. These alterations are important for distinguishing meanings between words that would otherwise be homonymous. For example, 'schön' (beautiful) and 'schon' (already) are two German words whose difference in pronunciation is indicated by the diaeresis.

In French, the diaeresis is used to indicate that two adjacent vowels should be pronounced separately. An example is the word 'Noël', where the diaeresis over the 'e' indicates that the vowels 'o' and 'e' should be pronounced as distinct syllables. This function of the diaeresis helps avoid confusions in reading and pronunciation, facilitating the correct understanding of words. The use of the diaeresis in various languages shows its importance as a diacritical mark for clarity in communication.

Comparing with the Portuguese language, we can see that the use of the diaeresis in other languages has similar functions: to indicate correct pronunciation and avoid confusions. However, while the use of the diaeresis in the Portuguese language was reduced with the orthographic reform of 1990, in languages like German and French, it remains an essential element of spelling. This comparison highlights the different approaches of languages towards the use of diacritical marks and the importance of respecting the specificities of each language.

• In German, the diaeresis (Umlaut) modifies the pronunciation of the vowels 'a', 'o', and 'u'.

• In French, the diaeresis indicates that two adjacent vowels should be pronounced separately.

• The use of the diaeresis in other languages has functions similar to those in Portuguese: to indicate correct pronunciation and avoid confusions.

To Remember

• Diaeresis: Diacritical mark used to indicate the pronunciation of 'u' in combinations like 'qü' and 'gü'.

• Orthographic Reform of 1990: Set of changes in the spelling of the Portuguese language that, among other things, abolished the use of the diaeresis in common words.

• Proper names: Names of people, places, or entities that are written with an initial capital letter and may use the diaeresis to maintain correct pronunciation.

• Diacritical mark: Graphic mark added to a letter to alter its pronunciation or to differentiate words.

Conclusion

The orthographic reform of 1990 brought significant changes to the Portuguese language, including the abolition of the diaeresis in common words. However, this diacritical mark was retained in proper names and their derivatives to preserve correct pronunciation and the cultural identity of these names. The history of the diaeresis demonstrates its importance in distinguishing sounds and facilitating reading, highlighting the need for its application in specific contexts.

Practical examples like 'Müller', 'Hübner', and 'Brügger' demonstrate how the diaeresis still plays a crucial role in maintaining the correct pronunciation of names of foreign origin. Comparing with other languages like German and French, we observe that the diaeresis is widely used to modify vowel pronunciation and avoid confusions in reading, being an essential element of spelling.

Understanding the correct use of the diaeresis is fundamental for the proper writing of proper names and derivatives, respecting their origins and avoiding pronunciation problems. This knowledge enriches the understanding of the evolution of the Portuguese language and the importance of diacritical marks in clear and precise communication, encouraging students to explore more about the topic and its practical applications.

Study Tips

• Review the educational material and the examples presented in class, focusing on the correct pronunciation of proper names that use the diaeresis.

• Research the use of the diaeresis in other languages, such as German and French, to better understand its functions and compare them with the Portuguese language.

• Practice writing proper names with diaeresis and their derivatives, checking the correct pronunciation with the help of dictionaries and audiovisual resources.