How to Pronounce José Manuel Barroso

Meaning and Context

José Manuel Barroso is a prominent Portuguese statesman whose career is a cornerstone of modern European political history. He served as the Prime Minister of Portugal from 2002 to 2004, leading the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and a center-right coalition government. Barroso's tenure was notably cut short when he was appointed as the President of the European Commission, a role he held for two consecutive terms from 2004 to 2014. During his decade leading the EU's executive branch, he presided over pivotal events including the signing of the Lisbon Treaty in 2007 and navigated the institution through the profound challenges of the European debt crisis. His legacy is deeply intertwined with European Union integration, EU enlargement, and the complex dynamics of EU governance during a transformative period. Following his EU service, Barroso generated significant controversy after accepting a senior position at the investment bank Goldman Sachs in 2016, a move that sparked intense debate over EU ethics rules and the revolving door between public office and private finance.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The name "José Manuel Barroso" follows standard Portuguese orthography, but non-Portuguese speakers often encounter spelling and diacritical errors. The most common mistake is omitting the acute accent on the first 'e' in José, writing it as "Jose." The surname is also frequently misspelled. Common variants include "Barrosso" (adding an extra 's'), "Barosso" (dropping an 'r'), or "Barroço" (incorrectly using a cedilla). Another frequent error is the anglicized omission of the second given name, referring to him simply as "José Barroso," though his full name is standard in formal contexts. In Portuguese, the double 'r' is pronounced with a guttural sound, which non-native speakers may find challenging, but this does not affect the written spelling. When searching for information, using the correct diacritics is less critical for modern search engines, but precise spelling of the surname remains important for retrieving accurate results.

Example Sentences

After a decade at the helm of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso's memoirs are eagerly anticipated by scholars of EU policy.

Critics often cite Barroso's move to Goldman Sachs as a case study in the need for stricter post-term employment regulations for top EU officials.

During the height of the sovereign debt crisis, President Barroso repeatedly emphasized the necessity of European solidarity and structural reform.

Historians note that Barroso's transition from Portuguese Prime Minister to European Commission President exemplified the career path of a committed Europeanist.

In his speeches, Barroso frequently framed the enlargement of the EU to include Eastern European states as a historic reunification of the continent.

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