Explain the concept of cognates and their connection to word roots.

Explain the concept of cognates and their connection to word roots.

Cognates are words in different languages that have a common origin and share similar meanings, spellings, and pronunciations. They are connected to word roots because cognates often have the same or similar word roots, which are the basic building blocks of words. These word roots can be traced back to a common ancestral language, such as Latin or Greek, and have been passed down through different languages over time. By recognizing cognates and their connection to word roots, we can better understand and learn new words in different languages, as well as make connections between related words in our own language.