Macht des Faktischen

English translation: Force of reality

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:Macht des Faktischen
English translation:Force of reality
Entered by: Sarah Downing

12:54 Nov 15, 2006
German to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - Psychology / Types of power
German term or phrase: Macht des Faktischen
Unless anyone comes up with anything better, I am thinking of translating this as "actual power" or perhaps "the power of facts". I found the following definition in Wikipedia:

Handlungsmacht umfasst alle Formen von Aktionen zur Veränderung der sozialen und natürlichen Umwelt; durch sie wird die Macht des Faktischen verändert.


Here's the context from my text, although I doubt it will be that much help. It really seems as if Macht des Faktischen is an official term, so I am hoping to find out what the official translation is (assuming there is one).

So kam man in der Folge beim HYM 2002 in Bangalore und beim AGM 2003 in Kopenhagen zu Beschlüssen, die allesamt bis heute rechtsunwirksam sind. Dem Anschein nach stört sich niemand daran. Das kann man auch die Macht des Faktischen nennen. Ein diplomatischer ‚Hütchentrick’ der Gallier. Nun konnten alle ‘amis’ unter einem Hut zusammenkommen. Sicherlich spielt aber bei den meisten Funktionären die Unkenntnis der Geschichte der Ex-Tablers-Vereinigungen die entscheidende Rolle.

Thank you very much in advance,


Sarah
Sarah Downing
Local time: 01:12
de facto power
Explanation:
guess based on Koshnick's translation of faktisch with de facto....

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Note added at 49 mins (2006-11-15 13:43:25 GMT) Post-grading
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also found "power of facts" see
http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=1479-5949(1937)3:19:4<220:T...
for another interesting explanation in English - would appear to mean several things
Selected response from:

Jonathan MacKerron
Grading comment
Thank you to everyone. Power of suggestion definitely isn't what is meant here. On reading the Wiki definition, I think this translation definitely fits best and it also sounds more official and formal than my "power of facts".
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +2force of reality
Ken Cox
3Power of Suggestion
Thomas Schoenradt
2de facto power
Jonathan MacKerron


Discussion entries: 3





  

Answers


30 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
Power of Suggestion


Explanation:
Power of Suggestion is the phenominon, in which a person reacts to a suggestion involutarily, for example: someone yawns; others who see this also yawn. The yawn suggests; "Du bist bestimmt muede." Although the person seeing the yawning might have slept well, the observer yawns as though tired.

Thomas Schoenradt
Local time: 01:12
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
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27 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5
de facto power


Explanation:
guess based on Koshnick's translation of faktisch with de facto....

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 49 mins (2006-11-15 13:43:25 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

also found "power of facts" see
http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=1479-5949(1937)3:19:4<220:T...
for another interesting explanation in English - would appear to mean several things

Jonathan MacKerron
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 47
Grading comment
Thank you to everyone. Power of suggestion definitely isn't what is meant here. On reading the Wiki definition, I think this translation definitely fits best and it also sounds more official and formal than my "power of facts".
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

54 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
force of reality


Explanation:
might fit in your context -- contrasting desirable but unrealistic objectives against real circumstances

e.g.:

We’re Living in the Dream World of George W. Bush by Gene Callahan
Today, at last, the force of reality is beginning to compel them to acknowledge that their grand adventure in Iraq has gone terribly astray. ...
www.lewrockwell.com/callahan/callahan162.html

European Documentary Film Symposiums
I could make a conclusion that these images illustrate the helplessness of reason in front of the destructive force of reality. It is possible that this is ...
www.latfilma.lv/symposium/1999/4sim378.html


Ken Cox
Local time: 06:12
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  TonyTK: (Better late than never) This sounds far more convincing.
59 mins

agree  Karin Maack
19 hrs
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