Here's a breakdown of its key points:
1. Latin Roots:
* Roman Expansion: When the Roman Empire conquered the Iberian Peninsula (modern-day Spain and Portugal), they brought with them their language, Latin.
* Vulgar Latin: Over time, the Latin spoken by the common people (Vulgar Latin) evolved differently in various regions of the empire. The version that developed in the northwest of the peninsula became known as "Galician-Portuguese".
2. Emergence of Galician-Portuguese:
* Regional Variations: While Latin was the official language, local dialects and influences started to shape the language.
* Kingdom of Galicia: The northern region of Galicia, in what is now Spain, played a significant role in the development of Galician-Portuguese.
3. The Birth of Portuguese:
* Independence of Portugal: In 1139, Portugal declared independence from the Kingdom of Leon. The language spoken in this newly independent nation continued to diverge from its Galician counterpart.
* Literary Influence: As Portuguese literature began to flourish, the language became more standardized and refined.
* Exploration and Expansion: The Portuguese voyages of discovery during the 15th and 16th centuries further solidified Portuguese as a distinct language and spread it across the globe.
4. Modern Portuguese:
* Brazil and Beyond: Portuguese is spoken by millions in Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, and other former Portuguese colonies.
* Dialects and Variations: While Portuguese is a single language, there are variations in pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar across different regions.
In summary, Portuguese originated from the Vulgar Latin spoken in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. Through a process of regional evolution, literary development, and historical events, it eventually emerged as a distinct language.