This paper aims to provide an overview of the Brazilian State language-spread policy in countries where Spanish is an official language. After analyzing the institutional functioning of the Division of Portuguese Language Promotion (DPLP), subordinated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we gather some data concerning the history and distribution of the Brazilian Cultural Centers, Bilateral Cultural Institutes and lectureships over the so-called "Hispanic world". We then show that the initiatives to promote Portuguese in Latin America have strengthened in the wake of recent changes in Brazilian foreign policy. In addition to this, we argue that, as an instrument of language policy, the Certificate of Proficiency in Portuguese as a Foreign Language (Celpe-Bras) has particular potential in this region. To conclude, we highlight essential points for the planning of the policy for promoting Portuguese abroad.
Portuguese for speakers of other languages; language-spread policy; Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
