Implementing the Portuguese spelling reform in Portugal

A few days ago, we posted the new and updated European Portuguese Style Guide. With this new edition, we will now begin to gradually adopt the Portuguese spelling reform in new products and services until the expiry of the transition period in Portugal in 2014.

The topic Portuguese Spelling Reform in the style guide contains a summary of the main spelling changes as well as recommendations on how to deal with the controversial cases (points that are still obscure) and special cases regarding Microsoft terminology.

The changes have already been implemented in terminology on the Microsoft Language Portal. For example, you will notice that “actualizar” is now “atualizar” in line with the new rules. Note also that UI strings from products already in the market will still display the pre-reform spelling.

What about the Office spell checker?

Microsoft has updated the Office 2007 and Office 2010 proofing tools (spelling and grammar checker) with the new spelling rules and made them available for free download. The Office 2010 speller is enabled to use the pre- reform rules by default, but enables use of the post-reform rules. You can find more information in the Office Online topic Check Portuguese spelling using post-reform spelling rules.

What about Brazilian Portuguese?

Brazil was on a faster schedule to implement the new spelling and we already started implementation for Brazilian in 2009.

Comments

• Anonymous
  January 01, 2003
  (This comment has been deleted per user request)
• Anonymous
  November 15, 2011
  Is there (will there) be an option to use "pre-reform" spelling in Office 2007 as there is in Office 2010 SP1? Thanks