difference(s) (if any) between "desempeño" and "actuación"

Question

Supposedly they both mean "performance." But apparently they are not synonyms. So I'm confused.

Example sentences: 1. Evaluar el aprendizaje y la actuación del alumno. 2. Gestionar sentimientos y emociones en el desempeño de su trabajo.

Are there nuances implied here?

Thanks for any input!

Welcome to the forum, your languages and their levels will help us to better help you so please complete your profile giving us this information. Thank you. - ray76, Jun 12, 2016

He has done it. - Mardle, Jun 13, 2016

Answer 1

Conceptuo que desempeño es usualmente usado para la tarea de reconocer y evaluar la labor y la calidad de trabajo de una persona o equipo de trabajo, mientras que actuación es un término frecuentemente empleado para conocer la labor de alguien reprresentando un papel o desempeñando las labores de alguien distinto.

thanks FranToro, I'm beginning to see now. "Desempeño" es usualmente usado para shorter duration mientras que "actuación" es usualmente usado para longer duration. As I teacher I would say that I "check homework" but that I "evaluate progress." - GadaMadru, Jun 13, 2016

I wouldn't say that I "evaluate homework" or that I "check progress." I assumed there was a slight nuance. Thanks again! - GadaMadru, Jun 13, 2016

Answer 2

The difference between these two verbs from the English speaker's point of view is that tiny difference that exists between "performance" and the "carrying out" of some labor or task. They are almost synonymous but not exactly.