Dak
mentat
That's a misconception that bedevils many an academic writer. Shorter, punchier, Germanic words tend to be more effective than diluted, Latinate words with multiple syllables. I always favor vocabulary that takes something with physical connotations and uses it figuratively. It substantiates it much more.
As someone in the middle of learning German, I can affirm that it is not always shorter or punchier.