lexical differences between PT vs BR Portuguese

[gusl]

I have long said that the differences between PT and BR Portuguese are very analogous to UK vs US English. Sometimes I reconsider this. For example, if you're a Wikipedian, there's some annoying differences between the Portuguese spoken in Portugal and Brazil. I now have slightly more sympathy for those who proposed to separate the BR and PT Wikipedias, while still strongly disagreeing with it.

Some examples from different word categories.


PT, BR (English in parenthesis)

Epidemiology: BR is closer to English.

Cancro = Câncer (EN: cancer)
SIDA = AIDS (EN: AIDS)
Varicela = Catapora (EN: chickenpox)


Computers: BR has tendency to borrow from English, while PT has a greater tendency to reinvent or rederive them.

Rato = Mouse (EN: mouse)
Ecrã = Tela (EN: screen)
Ficheiro = Arquivo (EN: file)

(tangentially, a horrible term for HD is "Winchester"; thankfully seems to be disappearing)


Animals

pirilampo = vagalume (EN: firefly)


Musical instruments:, the most confusing area. PT is closer to English.

Guitarra = Violão, Viola (EN: guitar)
Guitarra Eléctrica = Guitarra (EN: electric guitar)
Viola = Viola (EN: viola)
Acordeão = Sanfona (EN: accordeon)
Sanfona = viola de roda (EN: hurdy-gurdy)
Harmónica = Gaita (EN: harmonica)
Gaita = Gaita de Foles (EN: bagpipe)


See more on Wikipedia.