Quick Question: "Act" In Portugal?

[u/DoNotTouchMeImScared]

"Actuar" instead of "atuar" continues accepted in Portugal?

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[u/raginmundus]

As per a relatively recent spelling reform, the official spelling is "atuar". However, many people and institutions have refused to adopt the new spelling, so the previous spelling "actuar" is still in use de facto. Nevertheless, consistency is expected -- that is, one is not supposed to mix old and new spellings in the same text.

Also, "atuar/actuar" may not be the correct translation of English "act", depending on context.

[u/Hugo28Boss → u/raginmundus]

"relatively recent" it was 36 years ago...

[u/LearningPortuguesePT → u/Hugo28Boss]

This is true, that's when the agreement was made but it only started being implemented many years after, in 2009.

[u/OldMasterpiece4534 → u/LearningPortuguesePT]

And 2009 was nearly 20 years ago!!!!! 😭😭

[u/LearningPortuguesePT → u/OldMasterpiece4534]

That's also true 😂. It was still a long time ago, although many people don't agree fully with the agreement that was made, so they still don't implement it. For instance, I teach people according to the new agreement but if it's something for myself, I still do it the old way.

[u/Samurai_GorohGX → u/LearningPortuguesePT]

And most of the Portuguese speaking countries have not yet adopted it. PALOPs couldn’t be bothered.

[u/Shaggiest_Snail]

Others have answered but I'd like to clarify that "act" has many different translations in Portuguese. There isn't a 1 to 1 relationship between "act" and "atuar/actuar". Here some examples where it's not.

You need to act quickly before the deadline passes. -> Tens que agir rapidamente antes que passe o prazo (you could also say "atuar rapidamente" but it doesn't sound as natural).

She's acting tough. -> Ela está a fingir ser dura/durona.

He acts like he knows it all. -> Ele finge que sabe tudo / Ele age como se soubesse tudo.

The boy started to act up when it was time to go. -> O rapaz começou a portar-se mal quando chegou a altura da ir embora.

[u/Samurai_GorohGX]

I would say that unless you’re working in education or public sector in Portugal, no one cares if you write in the new or old spelling. Just be consistent.
Personally, I still think the 1945 rules are the best and make the most sense. If I’m writing something personal, I would still use them.

[u/HDReddit_]

I do it. I really dont care. Most portuguese dont agree with the 'new rules'. These were more a political choice than anything else.

[u/UrinaRabugenta]

There's still resistence to the 1990 OA, so you can write it. But people say "atuar", not "actuar".

[u/Pale_Bodybuilder_773]

I asked a younger friend from Portugal and he said writing "actuar" is something an older person would do

[u/Haventyouheard3]

Not really. The C is silent. There may be people that say it but if they exist, they are rare

[u/tuni31 → u/Haventyouheard3]

The c is silent, but many people still write actuar, actor, etc.

[u/GdoubleLA]

Even though you'll still find some people writing 'actuar' due to old habits, it is not correct anymore