3 Using knowledge of your own language

Your knowledge about how Spanish sounds and works helps you build up your understanding, but your own language(s) and your knowledge of other languages can also be extremely helpful.

3.1 Recognising cognates

Box 3: Using cognates

When watching videos in Spanish, you will recognise some words or phrases because they are similar to the ones used in your own language(s) or other languages you might know. These are known as cognates. Cognates are words that have the same or similar meaning, spelling and pronunciation in two languages. They are a useful aid when learning a language.

The following are examples of Spanish and English cognates: doctor/doctor, centre/centro, radio/radio. Some languages, like Spanish, have thousands of cognates with English. Sometimes, using your knowledge of the pronunciation, intonation and rhythm of words, you will able to decode other words or phrases that you have never heard before in Spanish.

Just beware of differences in spelling! Identifying a cognate does not help you draw conclusions about the spelling. When listening, you should be able to work out how to spell most words in Spanish as the writing of sounds is very predictable.

Actividad 7

Being aware of words which have the same or similar meaning and spelling in English can help you not only understand authentic Spanish, but also expand your vocabulary in Spanish .

Do you recognise the following words? Write down their English cognate.

Español English cognate
Actor Actor
Arte
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Banco
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Concierto
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Cultura
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Memoria
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Problema
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Romántico
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Tráfico
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Verbo
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Violencia
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Actividad 8

Now listen to Paloma Zancajo talking about what she values most in life. Indicate the six cognates you hear in Spanish from the list below:

Video content is not available in this format.

abundance

associated

no

curiosity

elegance

family

honesty

ideal

justice

liberty

magic

persons

Actividad 9

Watch Paloma Zancajo talk about what she values most in life again. Then choose the correct option(s) to complete the statements below.

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Para Paloma lo más importante en la vida es _________.

la familia

el dinero

el tiempo libre

Para Paloma los valores más importantes son  _________,  __________  y  _________  porque ayudan a desarrollarse a las personas.

la libertad

la sinceridad

la solidaridad

el respeto

la justicia

el amor

la tolerancia

la honestidad

Actividad 10

Paloma also talks about what surprises people about her. Read the transcript of what she says and identify the eight cognates that have similar spelling in English. Then write them down below. List cognates that appear multiple times only once.

Transcript

“La gente se sorprende mucho cuando me conoce(n) porque no lo aparento pero soy una persona muy paciente, tengo mucha paciencia. O sea, parezco muy nerviosa, parezco muy tal, ¿no? Pero luego la gente cuando… bueno pues cuando me va conociendo dicen: “Paloma, ¡qué paciencia tienes! ¿no?“ Que no debe ser muy habitual en la gente pero yo no sé si es por deformación profesional o porque pues la gente me dice que la paciencia, ¿no? La paciencia que… que tienes.”

Provide your answer...

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3.2. Pronouncing cognates

You will now look out for cognates.

Actividad 11

Listen to Paloma again and pay particular attention to the pronunciation of the cognates you identified in Actividad 10.

Video content is not available in this format.

Actividad 12

Now read aloud the cognates Paloma has used.

no

aparento

persona

paciente

paciencia

nerviosa

habitual

deformación

profesional