Introduction

Relevance of the Theme

The 'C-cedilla' (ç) is one of the distinctive features of the Portuguese language, an inheritance from its Latin origins. Knowing and using it correctly is an essential skill for writing in the formal standard of Portuguese. Mastery of the C-cedilla allows for precise and effective communication, contributing to textual comprehension and avoiding ambiguities or misinterpretations.

Contextualization

Located within the scope of spelling studies, the C-cedilla is a critical aspect of the Portuguese discipline. Its correct application is related to the phonetic and phonological rules of the language. Understanding the use of the C-cedilla is a prerequisite for mastering other areas of the discipline, such as syntax and semantics, since the correct spelling of words directly affects the meaning of sentences. Furthermore, teaching this topic in the 1st year of high school serves as a foundation for building a solid base that will be essential throughout the course.

Theoretical Development

Components

• C-cedilla (ç) - It is a diacritical punctuation mark that indicates a change in the pronunciation of 'c'. The letter 'c' normally sounds like 'k' before the vowels 'a', 'o', 'u', and sounds like 's' before the vowels 'e', 'i'. However, when we add the cedilla, the 'c' now sounds like 's', regardless of the following vowel. This feature is crucial for the correct pronunciation of many words in the Portuguese language.

• General rule of use - The C-cedilla is used in Portuguese before the vowels 'a', 'o', and 'u' when the intended sound is 's'. This rule is an orthographic convention with no exceptions.

• Distinction between 'c' and 'ç' - Understanding the distinction between 'c' and 'ç' is crucial for the correct spelling of many words. Although both have a similar sound (that of 's'), they are used in different situations. 'Ç' is used when the sound of 's' is needed before 'a', 'o', or 'u'. On the other hand, 'c' sounds like 's' only before 'e' and 'i'.

Key Terms

• Diacritical: Symbol added to a letter to modify or specify its phonetic value. In the case of 'ç', the cedilla is the diacritical mark.

• Phonetics and Phonology: Subfields of linguistics that study speech sounds. Knowledge of phonetics and phonology is essential for understanding and applying the rules of using the C-cedilla.

Examples and Cases:

• The word 'cabeça' is an example of correct use of the C-cedilla. The 'ç' is used before 'a' to indicate the sound of 's', not 'k'. If we replaced 'ç' with 'c', the word would become 'cabeça', which not only would have a different pronunciation but also does not exist in the Portuguese language.

• The term 'maciço' illustrates the distinction between 'c' and 'ç'. The first 'c' comes before 'i', therefore it sounds like 's', while 'ç' comes before 'o' and also sounds like 's'. The word 'maciço' would have a different pronunciation and a nonexistent meaning if it were written as 'maçiço' or 'macico'.

• The word 'exceção' exemplifies how the correct use of 'ç' and 'c' in the same word can define its correct meaning. Changing 'ç' to 'c' would transform the word into 'exceco', which does not exist in Portuguese. On the other hand, changing 'c' to 'ç' would result in 'exçeção', which also does not exist.

Detailed Summary

Key Points:

• C-cedilla (ç): This is a diacritical mark that signals a change in the pronunciation of 'c'. Although it still maintains the sound of 'c', the C-cedilla is used to denote the sound of 's' before the vowels 'a', 'o', and 'u'.

• General rule of using the C-cedilla: The C-cedilla is used before the vowels 'a', 'o', and 'u' when the intended sound is 's'. This is a grammatical rule of the Portuguese language with no exceptions.

• Distinction between 'c' and 'ç': While 'c' sounds like 's' before the vowels 'e' and 'i', the use of the C-cedilla is necessary for the sound of 's' to be produced before the vowels 'a', 'o', and 'u'.

• Importance of the correct application of the C-cedilla: The correct application of the C-cedilla is essential for the proper pronunciation and interpretation of words, avoiding ambiguities and comprehension errors.

Conclusions:

• The correct use of the C-cedilla is fundamental for efficient communication in the Portuguese language, as its use directly affects the sound of words and, consequently, the interpretation of sentences.

• The C-cedilla, despite being small and sometimes considered a detail, has a significant impact on the Portuguese language. Learning and practicing its use helps students improve their writing and reading skills.

• The C-cedilla, along with other diacritical marks, is a strong feature of the Portuguese writing system. Mastering it is a way to demonstrate linguistic competence.

Exercises:

1. Write the following words correctly, replacing the symbol '#' with 'c' or 'ç': 'a#eirosa', 'pre#o', 'vi#o', 'fa#a'.

2. Write 10 words that use the C-cedilla.

3. Given the following words, identify the ones that are spelled correctly: 'maçã', 'açafrão', 'caçado', 'cabeço', 'prinçipal', 'exceção'.