Naturally, when we try to speak in a foreign language we translate directly and literally from our own, but sometimes translating does not work, as in the following examples.
1. congress/conference
- I'm going to an international
congress conference about physical therapy this weekend.
Note: Congress is the governing body in the United States consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
2. all the people/everybody
- I think
all the people go everybody goes on vacation in August in Europe.
Note: We use "all the people" when it is more specific or qualified, such as "all the people who registered for the test" or "all the people who I invited to the party"...
3. toes/fingers
- My feet were so cold after snowboarding all day that I could hardly move my
fingers toes.
Note: The word "toes" does not exist in Portuguese; fingers is used instead.
4. to have/be ______ years old
- When I
had was 10 years old, I visited Finland with my family.
5. to like something
- I like
very much going to the beach very much.
- She likes
more shopping downtown more than going to the mall.
Note: These are syntax (word order) errors.
These are great! I lived in Portugal briefly and wanted to share a few more that I would like to help my friends with :)
ReplyDeleteCommon errors of Portuguese English:
“Assist” instead of “attend.”
To assist, is only a more formal way to say to help.
Correct examples:
Will you attend the seminar? I will not attend the course.
May I assist you with your work? Thank you for your assistance.
“Tissue” instead of “fabric” or “cloth.”
Tissue means only flesh/skin (i.e. muscle) or thin, soft paper (i.e. lenço)
“Coffee” instead of “café.”
English speakers use “café” to mean a place where you can get a coffee and maybe a sandwich or snack.
We drink “coffee” at a “café” (or a coffee shop ☺)
Yet/still
Correct: "I am still working" "Are you still working?"
Written error: use of “pretend” instead of “portend”
"Pretend" is only when one is using their imagination, or making something up.
I have heard that "intend" is also sometimes mixed up with "pretend".
Mixing up “anybody” and “nobody” – using “anybody” instead of “nobody”
Correct usage:
"Is anybody going to the park?" "No, nobody is going to the park."
"Nobody wants to miss afternoon coffee" (Meaning, everybody wants coffee!)
Wow! Thanks for contributing material. Great examples! :)
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