Advanced TranslationWS 2012/13

Daniel Kupper, Brit Johannsen

False Friends

01/15/2013

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Outline

1. Definition

2. Types of False Friends

3. Words of wisdom

4. Exercises

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“Make Love not Reclamations.“

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1. Definition

● False Friends vs. False Cognates

● Treacherous Twins

● “False friends are words in two (or more) different languages which look or sound very similar but which have different meanings.“ (Parkes/Cornell 1989)

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2. Types of False Friends

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3. Words of wisdom

● no rules● not THE ONE strategy● reference books (see sources)● Practice (and experience) makes perfect!

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4. Exercises: Error correction

● You don't need much fantasy to realize what the results of such a system would be.

● You don't need much imagination to realize what the results of such a system would be.

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● When the water starts cooking, add the cake mixture and stir well.

● When the water starts boiling, add the cake mixture and stir well.

4. Exercises: Error correction

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● I think there is just enough place to fit in another stool at the bar.

● I think there is just enough room/space to fit in another stool at the bar.

4. Exercises: Error correction

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● It is not very sensible to criticize other people if you can't take critic yourself.

● It is not very sensible to criticize other people if you can't take criticism yourself.

4. Exercises: Error correction

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● He's terribly self-conscious about being so small and I mean he should see a psychiatrist.

● He's terribly self-conscious about being so small and I think he should see a psychiatrist.

4. Exercises: Error correction

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● The nearest bank is not far away – turn left at the next crossing and it's fifty yards down on the right.

● The nearest bank is not far away – turn left at the next junction/crossroads and it's fifty yards down on the right.

4. Exercises: Error correction

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● This gymnasium's always freezing – the heating doesn't work and the windows are badly isolated.

● This gymnasium's always freezing – the heating doesn't work and the windows are badly insulated.

4. Exercises: Error correction

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4. Exercises: Error correction

● Don't blame yourself if you lose the process – you've only done what you thought was sensible.

● Don't blame yourself if you lose the case – you've only done what you thought was sensible.

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4. Exercises: Error correction

● Why don't you take Julia to the party? She's always so cheerful and temperamental, she'll make it go with a swing.

● Why don't you take Julia to the party? She's always so cheerful and lively/vivacious, she'll make it go with a swing.

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4. Exercises: Error correction

● It's funny that he should have sold such a rentable business at such a low price, but it's all the same to me.

● It's funny that he should have sold such a profitable business at such a low price, but it's all the same to me.

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4. Exercises: Identify the False Friend

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4. Exercises: Identify the False Friend

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4. Exercises: Identify the False Friend

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4. Exercises: Identify the False Friend

4. Exercises: Identify the False Friend

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4. Exercises: Identify the False Friend

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4. Exercises: Identify the False Friend

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4. Exercises: Identify the False Friend

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4. Exercises: Identify the False Friend

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4. Exercises: Identify the False Friend

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5. Sources

● Parkes, Geoff and Alan Cornell: German-English False Friends. Books 1-3. Southhampton: Englang, 1989-93.

● Pascoe, Graham and Henriette Pascoe: Sprachfallen im Englischen. Ismaning: Max Hueber, 1985.

● <http://german.about.com/library/weekly/aa030199.htm> Accessed: 01/09/2013

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