I'm glad I posted my question because the thread is interesting and helpful.

Regarding Brazilian vs. Portuguese language, the language tape I'm using is so far from real conversation that it hardly matters. I don't trust it very much now because they say /favoreh/ for favor and as noted, /senhoreh/ for senhor--not senhora --sounds rather Italian. I've just finished it and am moving on to a different one.

I've been watching movies, mostly Brazilian because they are easier to get here, but I just watched an interesting film from Portugal "Um Filme Falado" by Manoel de Oliveira (I've learned he's 99 or 100 years old and still making films! I understand there's a new one out but it hasn't come here yet--based on Bunuel's Belle du Jour). Turned off the subtitles and couldn't nuderstand a thing, but with them on, I had the illusion of understanding--it's a start. I'm just going to have to jump in and try my best when I get to Portugal.

Thanks, Nikki--I had also wondered about the "s" midword which is supposted to sound like "s" but sometimes sounds like "sh". That was helpful.

And Hanl--thanks for the links. I'll check them out. I sure wish I'd started sooner.

And Lobo Mau thanks for the pronunciation practice. Very charitable of you to give us a beautiful Portuguese poem to mangle.