Learning about gestures and expressions that can be disrespectful

in our countries

INTRODUCTION

In this presentation, we want to show to all our eTwinning partners gestures and expressions that can be considered offensive in our country. We think if we really want to respect everyone, we should know at least some of the words we should avoid in our language -Portuguese. We hope to contribute to our partners who wish to learn Portuguese language, so that they’ll be more conscious of what can cause problems in intercultural communication.

Agrupamento de Escolas de Sátão

“PORRA!”

At the football world cup event there are many posters that support the Mexican team saying “Porra Mexico!”. For the Mexican people, “Porra Mexico!” it’s a way to encourage and give strength to their country’s selection. But, for us Portuguese people “porra” refers to the male sexual organ, and is a rude word to be said.

CHIFRES

This symbol is very known all around the world. Most people use it as a Rock n’ Roll symbol, which was very common to use during the 80’s and the 90’s during rock shows. In Portugal and other countries in Europe if you do this symbol in front of a married guy, he’ll think that their woman is probably cheating on him.

FISGA

This symbol in other cultures represents the female sexual organ, although for them it’s related to fertility. This symbol is also used in lucky charms. For us, Portuguese people this symbol means female sexual organ and this is an offensive gesture and it isn’t related at all to a symbol of fertility or luck.

GRALHA

“Gralha” is a specie of bird which is very common in Portugal. It is a black bird which looks like a raven and which sings very loud and it has a strange way of singing. But, “gralha”, in Portugal, also refers to a person who speaks too much and whose voice is so loud it reminds of the bird singing.

OK

Although it’s not offensive in some countries as it is used to say OK, or zero, or even “Are you ok?”, to some cultures, in certain parts of central and west Europe this gesture is offensive, which refers to someone who is worthless and negligible. It’s also referred to say someone that he or she is an idiot.

DOR DE COTOVELO

Be careful when you make that gesture in some countries in Europe, because you may consider that is a normal gesture and someone is with a simple elbow pain, but, in fact when you make that to someone it means that they are jealous or envious of you.

RATO DE SACRISTIA

You may think “Rato de Sacristia” is simply a

mouse but, in fact it refers to someone which likes his religion so much and for that person, religion it’s the only thing that matters and likes to be always in churches and

religious events.

GAJA

In our language, this expression is very used. Some people don’t

consider it an offensive expression but in fact “gaja” is used when you don’t know the name of the girl or to omit a

name, but mainly it is used to let people know that girl has a low

reputation.

Name: Ana Rita Sousa, Jéssica Pereira, Rafael Figueiredo, Raquel Paula 11ºB

School: Escola Secundária Frei Rosa Viterbo, Sátão