Language Focus: Formal debate vocabulary — how to agree, disagree, propose, and vote in Portuguese. The condominio meeting is one of the most linguistically intense situations in everyday Portuguese life.
A Historia
A convocatoria chegou debaixo da porta na segunda-feira: Reuniao de Condominio — Ordem de Trabalhos: Obras urgentes no telhado. Sala de condominio, sexta-feira, 19h00.
A sala estava cheia. Havia doze condominios sentados em cadeiras dispostas em circulo. O administrador, o senhor Abilio, abriu a reuniao com formalidade.
The convening notice arrived under the door on Monday: "Residents' Meeting — Agenda: Urgent roof works. Meeting room, Friday, 7pm." The room was full. There were twelve residents sitting in chairs arranged in a circle. The building manager, Mr Abilio, opened the meeting formally.
— "Bom dia a todos. Passamos ao primeiro e unico ponto da ordem de trabalhos: a aprovacao das obras urgentes no telhado. O orcamento da empresa Coberturas Lisboa ascende a 28 500 euros. A quota extraordinaria por fracao seria de 2 375 euros."
Houve um silencio tenso. A dona Perpetua, do segundo andar, levantou a mao.
— "Peco a palavra. Discordo totalmente deste orcamento. Ja tive tres orcamentos meus e o mais caro foi 18 000 euros."
— "Concordo com a dona Perpetua," disse o senhor Tadeu, do quinto. "Esta empresa e caras demais. Proponho que adiemos a votacao e obtenhamos mais orcamentos."
"Good evening everyone. We move to the first and only item on the agenda: approval of the urgent roof works. The quote from Coberturas Lisboa amounts to 28,500 euros. The extraordinary service charge per unit would be 2,375 euros." There was a tense silence. Dona Perpetua, from the second floor, raised her hand. "I'd like to speak. I completely disagree with this quote. I've had three quotes myself and the most expensive was 18,000 euros." "I agree with Dona Perpetua," said Mr Tadeu, from the fifth floor. "This company is far too expensive. I propose that we postpone the vote and obtain more quotes."
O administrador respondeu com cautela.
— "A questao e que o telhado ja esta a infiltrar. Temos relatorios de agua no sexto andar. Coloco a votacao a proposta de adiamento. Quem e a favor?"
Seis maos. "Quem e contra?" Quatro maos. "Abstencoes?" Duas. "A proposta de adiamento e aprovada por maioria."
— "Mas isto e uma irresponsabilidade!" interveio o senhor do sexto, cujo teto estava a infiltrar. "Enquanto debatem orcamentos, a agua cai no meu quarto."
— "Compreendo a sua preocupacao, senhor Fernandes. Nao obstante, a maioria decidiu. Convocamos nova reuniao para daqui a quinze dias."
The manager replied cautiously. "The issue is that the roof is already leaking. We have reports of water on the sixth floor. I put the postponement proposal to a vote. Who is in favour?" Six hands. "Who is against?" Four hands. "Abstentions?" Two. "The postponement proposal is approved by majority." "But this is irresponsible!" interjected the gentleman from the sixth floor, whose ceiling was leaking. "While you debate quotes, water is falling in my bedroom." "I understand your concern, Mr Fernandes. Nevertheless, the majority has decided. We call a new meeting in a fortnight."
Vocabulario de Debate Formal
| Expressao | Uso |
|---|
| Peco a palavra | I request the floor (to speak) |
| Concordo / Discordo (totalmente) | I (completely) agree / disagree |
| Proponho que + conjuntivo | I propose that... (triggers subjunctive) |
| Coloco a votacao | I put it to a vote |
| A favor / Contra / Abstencao | In favour / Against / Abstention |
| Aprovado por maioria | Approved by majority vote |
| Nao obstante | Nevertheless / Notwithstanding — formal concession marker |
| Ordem de trabalhos | Agenda (for a formal meeting) |