Be careful with German Gifts!

Did you know that 'gift' means 'poison' in German? This linguistic peculiarity is a classic example of so-called 'false cognates'—words that appear similar in different languages but have completely different meanings. Even more incredibly, both the English and German meanings stem from the same Proto-Germanic root—giftiz!

The Origin of 'Gift'

Our friend and language guru, Brian Loo Soon Hua, explains:

The word giftiz originally meant “something given” in Proto-Germanic. Indeed, presents and poison are both given to someone, but with completely different outcomes in mind! This evolution of meaning shows us how languages can diverge in unexpected ways over time.

The Evolution of Meaning in German

In German, the word Gift has completely lost its ancient meaning of gift and now only carries the connotation of “poison”—except for the word Mitgift, meaning “dowry” or “bridal presents.” As it is unlikely that poison would be part of a bride’s wedding gifts, this word is a survival of a much broader definition of the original term.

How Other Languages Handle These Meanings

The Dutch, being more sensible in this regard, separated the two meanings with slightly different spellings—gift for “present” and gif for “poison.” This helps avoid confusion and shows a practical approach to dealing with the evolution of words.

Influenced by the German Gift, Scandinavian languages also use gift with the notion of “poison.” Interestingly, the Scandinavian gift can also mean “married,” a term deriving from the old custom of giving the bride away!

The Importance of Understanding 'False Cognates'

The existence of 'false cognates' like these highlights the importance of understanding linguistic nuances, especially in the context of international business and intercultural communication. At connectUP, we help you navigate these linguistic quirks and ensure your business communications are always clear and effective.

Reflection

Have you ever encountered a 'false cognate' in your language-learning journey? These challenges can be both intriguing and frustrating but are an essential part of becoming fluent and culturally sensitive in another language.