“That sounds familiar!” We’ve all said it at least once after hearing a word in a foreign language similar to one in our native tongue. This is where cognates come in: those words that share an etymological origin and resemble each other between different languages.Beware, however, all that glitters is not gold. Among brothers-in-law, we need to distinguish between true friends who mean the same thing and others who can put us in uncomfortable situations. From iNMSOL we want to give you some advice to dinstinguish true friends from false ones.
Let’s find out about “brothers-in-law” in Spanish, come on!
True brothers-in-law: loyal friends
These are those words that are not only pronounced the same or similar way in two languages, but share the same meaning. Some examples:
- Animal (español) – Animal (inglés): Related to any non-plant living thing
- Doctor (español) – Doktor (alemán): Medical professional or person with advanced academic level.
- Familia (español) – Famille (francés): Group of people with parental relationship
False friends: don’t be fooled
They are the smarts of the group. Although they look similar in two languages, their meanings can change widely.
- Ropa (español) – Rope (inglés): In Spanish, it refers to “clothing,” while that in English means “rope”
- Embarazada (español) – Embarrassed (inglés): One means “to be pregnant,” the other, “to feel ashamed.”
- Ratón (español) – Rat (inglés): In Spanish it is a computer “mouse” or a small rodent, in English it has only the second meaning.
Why do false friends exist?
Languages evolve like everything in life. The meaning of a word can change with time and cultural changes. For this reason. that words with the same linguistic root has changed its meaning as the years go by.
Tricks for not falling for the deception
Context, context and more context. Often it is the context that gives us clues to the true meaning of a word.
- Consult a dictionary: if you have a doubt look it up! Thanks to technology there is nothing easier today!
- Ask questions: if you hear a word in a conversation that you don’t know, there’s no harm in asking for an explanation. Better safe than sorry!
F.A.Qs
- Do there exist cognates between Spanish and no-latin languages such as Chinese or Arabic? Although it is less common given the etymological difference, yes there are linguistic cognates due to cultural influence or language borrowings.
- Do all false friends involve embarrassing misunderstandings? The answer is no. Although some may make people laugh, they can only cause slight confusion.
- Is there a way to recognize a false friend? Unfortunately, there is no real rule. Experience and immersion in context are the best teachers.
Conclusion
Cognates, whether real or fake, are among the witnesses to the historical richness and evolution of languages. They show us the connection between languages and how cultures have come into contact over the centuries. But as in any good friendship, it is crucial to be able to recognize your true allies. So the next time you think you know the meaning of a word because it sounds familiar, think twice!
Remember that mistakes are part of the process! If you happen to say “estoy embarazada” instead of “estoy avergonzada,” don’t make a big deal out of it.
See you soon friends!