The primary language spoken in Brazil is Portuguese. Introduced during the colonization by Portugal in the 16th century, Portuguese is the official language of Brazil and is spoken by the vast majority of its population. Unlike other countries in South America where Spanish prevails, Brazil's unique linguistic identity stems from its colonial history. Over time, Brazilian Portuguese has developed its own distinct dialect and vocabulary, influenced by indigenous languages, African languages, and immigrant influences. The language plays a crucial role in Brazilian culture, literature, and daily communication among its diverse population.