<mtfester@netMAPSONscape.net> wrote in message
news:btibki$c20$1@news.Stanford.EDU...
> Ryan Ginstrom <ginstrom@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Oddly, the only Portuguese student we have (as opposed to Brazilian)
> says there are some Brazilian accents he can barely understand, while
> most of the Mexican students say they have no problem understanding any
> of the Brazilians.

Yes, Portugual Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese are two different
animals. Even back when I could understand Brazilian Portuguese fairly well,
I couldn't follow Portugal Portuguese for crap.

But IME, Brazilians and Portuguese have a lot easier time understanding
Spanish than the other way round. Also, Brazilians seem pretty adaptive at
coming up with a "Portunhol" pidgin that Spanish speakers can understand.

> Yep, and that's why Yoshida chooses to wear the gi. Also, if the other
> guy isn't wearing a gi, you have enough friction that it doesn't turn
> into greased pig contest. Still, it seems the disadvantages outweigh the
> advantages, as the skill differences diminish.

Should also give you a bit of protection against body punches, I would
think.

The psychological factor of familiarity has got to be big as well.

-- 
Regards,
Ryan Ginstrom