https://www.proz.com/kudoz/finnish-to-english/environment-ecology/2730697-my%C3%B6t%C3%A4h%C3%A4pe%C3%A4.html

Glossary entry

Finnish term or phrase:

myötähäpeä

English translation:

a shared sense of shame

Added to glossary by Anya S (X)
Jul 25, 2008 08:37
15 yrs ago
1 viewer *
Finnish term

myötähäpeä

Finnish to English Other Environment & Ecology
Noita ympäristövastuu- ja ympäristöraportteja kun lukee, niin joskus tulee, kokee myötähäpeää, tai sanotaan, että usein kokee myötähäpeää.

The context is an interview where the respondent is describing their feelings upon reading their environmental reports. I can't really find any good translation in English for 'myötähäpeä' beyond 'embarrassed compassion'. Any ideas?

Proposed translations

+4
14 mins
Selected

a shared sense of shame

if I understand it right

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Note added at 1 day21 hrs (2008-07-27 06:05:14 GMT)
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Shared can be betwen two people. it is, furthermore, a normal English expression.
Note from asker:
Thanks, this sounds very close, although I'm still wondering if there might be something better. This might be a case of us coming up with something in English that completes conveys the depths of such a complex transference of feeling. 'Shared' implies it's a communal feeling, but 'myötähäpeä' might be felt by an individual that identifies with the shame of another, cringes perhaps in recognition of what it feels like to be in that position of shame or whatever.
Peer comment(s):

agree Desmond O'Rourke : this rings true as good English
2 hrs
agree PeeGee (X) : You DO understand it right
3 hrs
agree Setti Mulari
1 day 13 hrs
agree Alfa Trans (X) : with the Asker.
18 days
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Yes, you're very likely right. I myself got confused! :)"
+1
15 mins

sympathetic shame

A sense of shame felt for another, like when watching an awful performance
Peer comment(s):

agree Merja Jauhiainen
7 mins
Kiitos!
neutral Spencer Allman : this is a highly unlikely collocation
4 hrs
Something went wrong...