In the early stages of language learning, when you\u2019re trying to acquire a mass of basic vocabulary, set aside some time to search for cognates. They\u2019re extremely easy to memorize once you realize they exist, and a quick Google search for \u201c[language]-English cognates\u201d should show you the way.<\/p>\n
Native English speakers will find this approach particularly useful for romance languages like French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian, but learners of virtually any common language should benefit from learning cognates. More linguistically distant languages, like Japanese or Arabic, still feature many cognates with English because they have borrowed English words. If you study vocabulary related to technology, for example, you\u2019re bound to come across a number of words you recognize. The Japanese word \u30b3\u30f3\u30d4\u30e5\u30fc\u30bf\u30fc (konpy\u016bt\u0101) means, as you might have guessed \u201ccomputer\u201d. It may not seem like much, but cognates add up, and adding a few dozen new vocabulary items to your arsenal in a matter of hours is a big confidence booster.<\/p>\n
But learner beware! <\/strong>Because every rose has its thorn, all that glitters isn\u2019t gold, and sometimes, cognates can be a total pain in the\u2026 brain. Why would this magical upper hand on a new language be a bad thing? Because of a little thing we like to call false cognates, or false friends. These are NOT your BFF.<\/p>\n If you saw the Spanish word \u201cembarazada,\u201d you, using your language-y logic, might assume it means \u201cembarrassed.\u201d So, you\u2019d probably be surprised when I told you it actually means \u201cpregnant.\u201d I\u2019m sure you can see how saying how \u201cembarazada\u201d you are could lead to some confusion, and even more<\/em> embarrassment! (Now the polar bear picture makes sense, right?)<\/p>\n So when you\u2019re setting aside time to learn cognates, spend a good chunk of that brushing up on false cognates. Not only is it a good opportunity to learn some new vocabulary, but it will also weed out any false friends that may be hiding under the cover of darkness to embarrass and confuse you, the innocent language learner.<\/p>\n Have you ever had an embarrassing mix up involving false cognates? Share your stories in the comments!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Just starting to learn a new language? Well, what if you I told you that right now, you already know dozens (if not hundreds!) of words in that language? Depending on the language, it\u2019s true! What is this sorcery I speak of? They\u2019re called cognates, and they are your best friend right now. Cognates are…<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/language-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2014\/05\/facepalm1-350x263.jpg\")