The linguistic heritage of Brazil stems from its colonial past. The language spoken by the majority of its inhabitants is not indigenous, but one brought across the Atlantic. This linguistic dominance is a direct consequence of historical events that shaped the nation’s culture and institutions.
The spread of this European tongue in Brazil is inextricably linked to Portuguese exploration and colonization commencing in the 16th century. As Portugal established control over the territory, its language became the language of administration, trade, and education. Indigenous languages, while still present, were gradually supplanted in official domains and amongst the growing population of settlers and their descendants.
