认 (traditional 認) pairs speech 讠 with 人 (person, also hinting the sound rén). To recognize someone is to be able to say who they are — speech confirming a person.
认 anchors 认识 (to know a person — the word you say when meeting anyone: 认识你很高兴, 'glad to meet you'). 认真 ('recognize the true') means earnest, conscientious — the compliment every Chinese teacher writes on good homework. And 认错 is to admit a mistake: recognition turned inward. From strangers to self-knowledge, 认 is how things become known.
Speech 讠 + person 人 — saying who someone is: to RECOGNIZE.
认真 'recognize-true' (earnest) is among the most-used words of praise in Chinese schools.