Learning a language means learning a new way of thinking. That is why translating from one language to another is such a sensitive task.
We have selected a few of the most common mistakes Brazilians make when speaking English.
Literal translation
It is common for someone to resort to the native language’s repertoire, so funny situations come up because of this. For example, “Não tenho sangue de barata,” which means to say something like “I’m not a coward,” turns into “I don’t have cockroach blood” when translated literally. A more appropriate expression in English would be “I have blood in my veins.”
Tripping on false friends known as false cognates:
Pretend, which means to bluff, purport, or perhaps impersonate, is different from “pretender,” which in Portuguese means to intend to do something.
Costume, which means apparel, attire or even garb, is not “costume,” which in Portuguese can mean a custom or a tradition.
Contest means competition in English, not “contestar,” which in Portuguese means to oppose, deny, protest, or even resist.
Confusing words with similar spelling and pronunciation, such as:
World – Word
Year – Ear
Ship – Sheep
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