Orthographic Agreement of 1990

Orthographic Agreement of 1990
Name	Orthographic Agreement of 1990
Caption	Signature of the Orthographic Agreement
Date signed	16 December 1990
Location signed	Lisbon
Parties	Brazil, Portugal, Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe, East Timor
Language	Portuguese language

Orthographic Agreement of 1990 The Orthographic Agreement of 1990 unified orthographic rules for the Portuguese language across lusophone states, aiming to harmonize spelling among Brazil, Portugal, Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe and East Timor. Negotiated in the late 20th century, it was signed in Lisbon and later ratified at different times by participating countries, influencing institutions like the Academia Brasileira de Letras and the Academia das Ciências de Lisboa.

Background and Purpose

The Agreement emerged from decades of dialogue among linguistic bodies including the Academia Brasileira de Letras, the Academia das Ciências de Lisboa, the Instituto Camões, and the Universidade de Coimbra, with influence from cultural organizations such as the Instituto de Investigação Científica Tropical and ministries in capitals like Lisbon, Rio de Janeiro, Luanda, Maputo, Praia, Bissau, São Tomé, and Dili. Prominent figures in the negotiations included representatives of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries and scholars connected to universities like the Universidade de São Paulo, the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, the Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, and the Universidade Agostinho Neto. The purpose was to reduce orthographic divergence noted between earlier promulgations such as the 1943 Brazilian orthography and Portuguese rules endorsed by the Real Academia Española-style institutions, aligning publishing markets in cities like São Paulo, Porto, Lisbon, and Rio de Janeiro.

Key Changes and Reforms

Major reforms abolished or altered use of the diaeresis seen in publications from Lisbon and Rio de Janeiro, modified hyphenation practices used in newspapers like Folha de S.Paulo and Público, and standardized accentuation influencing literature from authors affiliated with houses such as Companhia das Letras and Penguin Random House Brasil. Consonant inclusion rules were revised affecting words shared with dictionaries like those by Aurélio Buarque de Holanda and Dicionário Priberam, while morphological choices influenced orthographies taught at institutions including the Universidade de Coimbra and the Universidade de Lisboa. Spelling convergence impacted curricula at schools overseen by ministries in capitals including Brasília, Lisbon, Luanda, and Maputo and altered publishing norms at periodicals such as O Globo, Diário de Notícias, Expresso, and Jornal de Notícias.

Implementation and Timeline

Ratification varied: Brazil completed internal steps through the Presidency of Brazil and legislative bodies in Brasília, while Portugal followed a distinct timetable involving the Assembleia da República and cultural institutions in Lisbon. Several African members like Angola and Mozambique enacted changes through their national ministries and university presses such as the Universidade Agostinho Neto and Universidade Eduardo Mondlane. Implementation milestones were coordinated by the Community of Portuguese Language Countries and supported by educational organizations including the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie-linked bodies and international publishers in cities like New York and London. Transitional periods extended into the 2000s and 2010s with publishing houses, broadcasters such as RTP, TV Globo, and SIC updating style guides, while academic conferences at venues like the Instituto Camões and the Real Gabinete Português de Leitura addressed adaptation strategies.

Reception and Controversies

Reaction ranged from endorsement by institutions such as the Academia Brasileira de Letras and the Academia das Ciências de Lisboa to opposition by writers, journalists, and political figures in parliaments of Portugal and Brazil. Debates invoked cultural icons like Fernando Pessoa, Machado de Assis, José Saramago, Clarice Lispector, and Jorge Amado as stakeholders in literary integrity, and triggered legal challenges in courts such as the Supremo Tribunal Federal and the Constitutional Court (Portugal). Media outlets including Folha de S.Paulo, O Estado de S. Paulo, Público, and Expresso published critiques, while language activists and unions in cities like Lisbon and São Paulo staged campaigns. International reactions referenced parallels with orthographic reforms in languages overseen by bodies like the Académie française and echoed concerns raised during reforms involving Spanish-language institutions such as the Real Academia Española.

Effects on Member Countries' Writing Systems

The Agreement altered textbooks used by ministries in Brasília, Lisbon, Luanda, Maputo, Praia, Bissau, São Tomé and Dili, affecting education at universities like the Universidade de São Paulo, the Universidade de Lisboa, the Universidade Eduardo Mondlane and the Universidade Agostinho Neto. Lexicographers at houses such as Companhia das Letras, Porto Editora, Editorial Caminho, and Dicionários Michaelis updated entries, while broadcasters (RTP, TV Globo, SIC) and newspapers standardized style across newsrooms in capitals including Lisbon and Rio de Janeiro. Publishing markets in São Paulo, Lisbon, Luanda and Maputo adjusted catalogues, and translation flows involving agencies in Paris, Madrid, London, and New York adapted to new orthographic norms, impacting authors, editors and educators including those influenced by the work of Eugénio de Andrade and Carlos Drummond de Andrade.

Current Status and Ongoing Revisions

As of the 21st century, adoption remains uneven: some states fully implemented revisions through legislative acts in national assemblies like the Assembleia da República (Portugal) and the Congresso Nacional (Brazil), while others maintain gradual transition plans managed by ministries and cultural institutions such as the Instituto Camões and the Academia Brasileira de Letras. Scholarly debate continues at conferences hosted by the Universidade de Coimbra, the Universidade de São Paulo, the Centro Cultural de Belém and research centers like the Instituto de Linguística Teórica e Computacional, and periodic proposals for adjustment are discussed with stakeholders including publishers (Porto Editora, Companhia das Letras), broadcasters (RTP, TV Globo), and international cultural bodies such as the Community of Portuguese Language Countries.

Category:Lusophone culture