How to Pronounce Aníbal Cavaco Silva

Meaning and Context

Aníbal Cavaco Silva is a pivotal figure in modern Portuguese history, having served as the President of the Portuguese Republic from 2006 to 2016, following a distinguished political career as Prime Minister. A member of the center-right Social Democratic Party (PSD), he was first elected Prime Minister in 1985 and served until 1995, a period marked by significant economic liberalization, European integration following Portugal's accession to the EEC, and infrastructural modernization. His tenure as President, a role he was elected to in 2006 and re-elected in 2011, was defined by its focus on fiscal stability and political cohesion, particularly during the challenging years of the Portuguese financial crisis and the subsequent international bailout. As an economist and former finance minister, Cavaco Silva's legacy is deeply intertwined with Portugal's democratic development and its position within the European Union, making him a key subject for those studying Portuguese politics, European leaders, and the Iberian Peninsula's contemporary history.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard and correct spelling of the name is Aníbal Cavaco Silva. Common errors or variations often arise from omitting the accent, misspelling the surname components, or altering their order. Frequent typos include "Anibal" (dropping the acute accent on the 'i'), "Cavaco Silva" as a single word like "Cavacosilva," or reversing the surnames to "Silva Cavaco." Some may incorrectly use "António" instead of "Aníbal," confusing him with other Portuguese figures. In non-Portuguese contexts, the surname is sometimes truncated to just "Cavaco," though the full "Cavaco Silva" is proper for formal reference. Attention to the diacritical mark and the distinct two-part surname is crucial for accuracy in academic and journalistic writing.

Example Sentences

Following the negotiation of the EU-IMF bailout, President Aníbal Cavaco Silva played a crucial role in urging for a national consensus among the major political parties.

Many political analysts credit the period of Cavaco Silva's premiership in the late 1980s with laying the groundwork for Portugal's modern economic landscape.

In his memoirs, Cavaco Silva reflected on the profound challenges and responsibilities of steering the presidency during a decade of economic austerity.

When discussing Portugal's transition to a stable democracy, the leadership of figures like Aníbal Cavaco Silva is invariably part of the conversation.

His academic background as a professor of economics often informed his pragmatic and measured public statements as head of state.

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