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  3. Psychology

sich Rechenschaft geben

English translation: to account for sth

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:sich Rechenschaft geben
English translation:to account for sth
Entered by: Catherine Winzer

09:39 Oct 27, 2008
German to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - Psychology
German term or phrase: sich Rechenschaft geben
The sentence comes from a paper about education and psychology. The topic is perception and non-verbal communication.

"Wir alle senden und empfangen ununterbrochen körperliche Signale, ***ohne uns im Einzelnen bewusst Rechenschaft darüber zu geben***. Dennoch bemerken wir genau, wenn jemand niedergedrückt wirkt – auch wenn wir nicht bewusst erkennen, dass sich dieses Gefühl aus dem Anblick gebeugter Schultern, (usw.) bildet"

I understand what the author means, but I'm not sure how to translate "sich Rechenschaft geben". All the definitions I have found have to do with giving account and accountability, which doesn't seem to quite fit here. I would grateful for any help. Thank you!
Catherine Winzer
Germany
Local time: 22:48
without being able consciously to account for them
Explanation:
... possibly 'to explain them', or even 'recall them' depending on your wider context.

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Note added at 2 days3 hrs (2008-10-29 12:53:43 GMT) Post-grading
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Thanks for the points, Catherine
Selected response from:

Helen Shiner
United Kingdom
Local time: 21:48
Grading comment
Thanks, everyone.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +2without being able consciously to account for them
Helen Shiner
4without realizing them consciously or without becoming aware of them
Ellen Kraus


  

Answers


16 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
without realizing them consciously or without becoming aware of them


Explanation:

would be my suggestion

Ellen Kraus
Austria
Local time: 22:48
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 12
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

9 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
without being able consciously to account for them


Explanation:
... possibly 'to explain them', or even 'recall them' depending on your wider context.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 days3 hrs (2008-10-29 12:53:43 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

Thanks for the points, Catherine

Helen Shiner
United Kingdom
Local time: 21:48
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 36
Grading comment
Thanks, everyone.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Ingeborg Gowans (X)
51 mins
  -> Thank you, Ingeborg
agree  Inge Meinzer
2 hrs
  -> Thank you fineynegoddess
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