THE COGNITIVE PATHWAYS OF MEDICAL WORDS: INSIGHTS FROM STUDENTS' MINDS

This article explores the cognitive pathways involved in the acquisition and processing of medical terminology by students, drawing insights from the field of cognitive linguistics and challenges observed in language learning. It examines how linguistic structures, cultural contexts, and specific lexical phenomena influence students' mental lexicon development and their ability to accurately apply medical vocabulary. The article highlights common cognitive pitfalls, such as those arising from cross-linguistic interference, and discusses pedagogical strategies informed by cognitive principles to enhance the learning and retention of medical words.