Can false friends affect professional communication in English
False friends can indeed affect professional communication in English by causing misunderstandings, confusion, and even offense. These words look or sound similar between languages but have different meanings, leading to incorrect assumptions about their intent. In professional contexts, such misinterpretations can undermine business relations, damage reputations, and cause costly errors in contracts, negotiations, or marketing materials. 1, 2, 3, 4
In workplaces, false friends do not only appear between different native languages but even within English professional jargon itself, where technical terms may carry different meanings in different teams or industries, further complicating clear communication. For example, a false friend used mistakenly in a business email or presentation might create confusion or unintended negative impressions, and in sensitive negotiations or client interactions, this can be especially harmful. 3, 4, 1
False friends also pose pragmatic risks where a word might be grammatically correct but inappropriate in tone or register, affecting the professional image. Examples include common false friends like “actual” in English (meaning real) versus in Spanish (“actual” meaning current), or “embarazada” in Spanish meaning pregnant, while an English speaker could mistakenly think it means embarrassed. 5, 3
To prevent these issues, relying on skilled translators or native speakers familiar with the nuances and context is crucial in international or multilingual professional communication. 2, 4, 5
In summary, false friends can significantly affect professional communication in English by causing semantic misunderstandings, damaging professional relationships, and risking reputational harm if not recognized and carefully managed.