Mastering False Cognates: Accurate Communication in English

Objectives

1. Recognize the existence of false friends between English and Portuguese.

2. Identify common examples of false friends and understand their real meanings in English.

3. Develop reading and comprehension skills to avoid misunderstandings caused by false friends.

4. Apply the knowledge of false friends in practical situations, such as job interviews or professional communications.

Contextualization

False friends, or false cognates, are words that look like words in Portuguese but have different meanings in English. For instance, the word 'actual' in English means 'real' or 'true', whereas in Portuguese 'atual' refers to something current or contemporary. Understanding these false friends is essential to avoid misunderstandings and ensure effective communication, whether in academic or professional contexts. Imagine a Brazilian executive presenting a report to international investors and using the word 'pretend' thinking it means 'pretend', when in fact it means 'to feign'. This knowledge is crucial for negotiations, job interviews, and global corporate communication.

Relevance of the Theme

In today's globalized world, the ability to communicate accurately in English is a highly valued skill in the job market. Understanding and avoiding false friends can prevent embarrassing situations and misunderstandings, as well as significantly improve efficiency and clarity in communication. Companies value candidates who have a good command of English, including the ability to identify and use these terms correctly. Therefore, mastering false friends not only enhances communication but is also a competitive advantage in the professional market.

Definition of False Cognates

False cognates are words in two languages that look similar or are spelled similarly but have different meanings. In the context of English and Portuguese, this can cause confusion and misunderstandings, especially in professional and academic situations.

• False cognates are words that seem to be similar between two languages but have different meanings.

• Examples include 'actual' in English, which means 'real' or 'true', and 'atual' in Portuguese, which refers to something present or contemporary.

• Understanding and identifying false cognates is essential to avoid misunderstandings in communication.

Common Examples of False Cognates

There are several false cognates that are often confused by Portuguese speakers when learning English. Knowing these common examples helps avoid mistakes and improve accuracy in communication.

• Pretend: In English, it means 'to feign', while in Portuguese it seems like 'pretender', which means 'to intend'.

• Library: In English, it means 'library', while in Portuguese 'livraria' means 'bookstore'.

• Eventually: In English, it means 'finally' or 'in the end', while in Portuguese 'eventualmente' means 'occasionally'.

Impact of False Cognates on Professional Communication

The incorrect use of false cognates can have significant consequences in professional contexts, including misunderstandings, loss of credibility, and embarrassing situations. It is crucial for professionals to develop skills to identify and avoid these mistakes.

• Communication errors due to false cognates can compromise the clarity and accuracy of important messages.

• In job interviews, the incorrect use of false cognates can give a wrong impression and negatively affect the candidate's chances.

• In negotiations, misunderstandings caused by false cognates can lead to unfavorable agreements or loss of opportunities.

Practical Applications

• During a business presentation, a Brazilian executive can avoid confusion by knowing that 'actual' in English means 'real' and not 'atual', as in Portuguese.
• In a job interview, understanding that 'pretend' means 'to feign' in English can avoid an embarrassing misunderstanding and demonstrate proficiency in the language.
• In corporate correspondence, the correct use of terms like 'library' (library) and 'eventually' (finally) can improve clarity and efficiency in written communication.

Key Terms

• False Cognates: Words that look similar between two languages but have different meanings.

• Actual: In English, it means 'real' or 'true'.

• Pretend: In English, it means 'to feign'.

• Library: In English, it means 'library'.

• Eventually: In English, it means 'finally' or 'in the end'.

Questions

• How can the incorrect use of false cognates affect communication in your future professional career?

• What strategies can you adopt to identify and avoid false cognates when communicating in English?

• Think of a specific situation where the use of a false cognate could cause a serious misunderstanding. How would you solve that problem?

Conclusion

To Reflect

Throughout this lesson, we explored the importance of recognizing and understanding false cognates, words that look similar between English and Portuguese but have different meanings. This knowledge is essential to avoid misunderstandings, especially in professional and academic contexts where precision in communication is crucial. We reflected on how these errors can affect our credibility and efficiency, and discussed strategies to identify and avoid these vocabulary false friends. Understanding these details is a competitive differentiator in the global job market and can prevent embarrassing situations. Keep practicing and applying this knowledge in your daily interactions and future careers.

Mini Challenge - Practical Challenge: Applying Your Knowledge of False Cognates

To consolidate your understanding of false cognates, you will complete a practical activity that simulates a real professional situation.

• Imagine you are participating in a job interview in English.
• Write a short dialogue of 10-15 lines where you respond to a question from an interviewer, avoiding the incorrect use of false cognates.
• Use at least 3 false cognates discussed in class, explaining how you avoided the errors and used the words correctly.
• Share your dialogue with a colleague and exchange feedback on the correct use of the terms.