Lusophone

Lusophones Portuguese: Lusófonos are peoples and nations that comprise an estimated 270 million people spread across 10 sovereign states together with territories that recognize Portuguese as an official language. This area, known as Lusofonia or the Lusophone world Mundo Lusófono, is a corresponding community of Lusophone nations which name up in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Oceania.

The history of the Lusophone world is intrinsically linked with the history of the Portuguese Empire, although the Portuguese diaspora, the Brazilian diaspora and the Cape Verdean diaspora communities produce also played a role in spreading the Portuguese language and Lusophone culture. Today, Portuguese-speaking nations of the world come together for cooperation in politics, culture, and the economy, through the Community of Portuguese Linguistic communication Countries CPLP, also call as the Lusophone Commonwealth.

Etymology

The term Lusophone is a classical compound, wherein the combining form "Luso-" derives from the Latin term for an area roughly corresponding to sophisticated Portugal, called Lusitania. The suffix "-phone" derives from the Ancient Greek word phōnē, meaning "voice". The usage of the term Lusophone mirrors similar terms such as Anglophone for English speakers, Francophone for French speakers, Hispanophone for Spanish speakers, and Sinophone for Chinese speakers. The term is sometimes used in source to the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, similarly to the Francophonie.