This cannot be said of the language of Brazil as it is spoken by the people and as it is being incorporated into the literature of the nation. During the sixteenth century, the spoken Portuguese of Brazil acquired new terms and new rhythms, and slowly began to change until a mixed tongue evolved. The factors responsible for the breaking-away of the spoken Portuguese of Brazil were (1) the Indians found within the country, (2) the imported African slaves, and (3) the vast extent of the territory. The influence of the first was felt when colonists, explorers, and missionaries came into contact with the Indians. It took two forms, the incorporation of Portuguese words into the Indian dialects and the absorption into Portuguese of Indian terms. The first Portuguese words incorporated into Indian dialects were those related to trading, exploring, preaching, and teaching. The early Indian words incorporated into Portuguese embraced chiefly terms related to fishing and hunting and the names of the plants and animals of Brazil.2 These found their way into Portuguese dictionaries, but in smaller numbers than in actual use.