* Population Advantage: Brazil has a significantly larger Portuguese-speaking population than Portugal, making it inevitable that Brazilian culture and language would have a larger footprint on the global stage.
* Media Influence: Brazil's entertainment industry (music, telenovelas, films) enjoys significant international exposure, contributing to the widespread recognition of Brazilian Portuguese.
* Migration: Brazilian migration has spread Brazilian Portuguese to various parts of the world, particularly in the Americas, Europe, and Africa.
* Internet Presence: The online world, with its global reach, has amplified the visibility of Brazilian Portuguese, through social media, online content, and digital platforms.
However, it's important to note:
* European Portuguese retains its significance: Portugal itself holds a rich cultural and historical significance, and its language is respected and used in many academic, literary, and diplomatic contexts.
* Context Matters: Depending on the context, either language might be more relevant. For example, in academic discussions on Portuguese language and literature, European Portuguese often takes center stage.
* Mutual Intelligibility: Both Brazilian and European Portuguese are mutually intelligible to a large extent, meaning speakers can generally understand each other. This can lead to a sense of interchangeability, but there are distinct differences in pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar.
Therefore, it's not accurate to say that Portuguese speakers "refer more to Brazilian than European Portuguese." Both varieties are important and contribute to the vibrant tapestry of the Portuguese language globally. It's more accurate to say that Brazilian Portuguese currently enjoys greater visibility due to factors like population size and media influence.