Library
Here is yet another word that English learners (Spanish speakers mainly) usually have problems with and that is Library, another false cognate. Quite often some of my students tell me they are going to the "library" to buy some stationery they need desperately (something they could have done before but preferred to procastrinate). The problem is with the word Librería quite similar in spelling to Library; only that while Library means Biblioteca in Spanish to say Librería we use another word. The word those students of mine are probably looking for is Bookstore or Bookshop (as in British English).
I wonder what would happen if they asked for directions to get to a library in an English speaking country and were directed to a place as in the picture? What would the librarian's expression would be when recceiving a confused foreigner who wants to buy a book in his/her library?
That is why having a knowledgeable teacher is important, somebody with experience and who is aware of these little situations, to spare us the embarrassment.
I wonder what would happen if they asked for directions to get to a library in an English speaking country and were directed to a place as in the picture? What would the librarian's expression would be when recceiving a confused foreigner who wants to buy a book in his/her library?
That is why having a knowledgeable teacher is important, somebody with experience and who is aware of these little situations, to spare us the embarrassment.
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