self-consciousness / bias
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self-consciousness
The state of feeling insecure, inhibited, or embarrassed.
Er konnte seine Befangenheit schnell ablegen und sprach frei vor der Gruppe.
He was quickly able to overcome his self-consciousness and spoke freely in front of the group.
bias
A lack of impartiality or neutrality due to personal interests or prejudice, especially in a legal context.
Die Verteidigung stellte einen Antrag wegen Befangenheit des Zeugen.
The defense filed a motion alleging bias on the part of the witness.
'Befangenheit' (self-consciousness / bias) is a noun derived from the adjective 'befangen' (inhibited / biased). The ending '-heit' forms abstract nouns from adjectives and is always feminine, hence 'die Befangenheit' (the self-consciousness / bias).
Seine Befangenheit war ihm deutlich anzusehen.
His self-consciousness was clearly visible.
As with the adjective 'befangen' (inhibited / biased), context distinguishes the meaning. If it is about feelings and social behavior, 'Befangenheit' means shyness or self-consciousness. In legal or formal contexts, it refers to a lack of neutrality.
Trotz seiner anfänglichen Befangenheit hielt er eine tolle Rede.
Despite his initial self-consciousness, he gave a great speech.
When it is about shyness, 'Befangenheit' (self-consciousness) is often combined with verbs that describe overcoming something. Typical phrases are 'seine Befangenheit ablegen' (to overcome one's self-consciousness), 'verlieren' (to lose it), or 'überwinden' (to overcome it).
Nach ein paar Minuten konnte sie ihre Befangenheit ablegen und sprach ganz offen.
After a few minutes, she was able to overcome her self-consciousness and spoke very openly.
In a legal context, the phrase 'Antrag wegen Befangenheit stellen' (to file a motion on grounds of bias) is a fixed expression. It is used to formally request that a person be excluded from proceedings because of a lack of impartiality.
Die Staatsanwaltschaft stellte einen Antrag wegen Befangenheit des Schöffen.
The public prosecutor's office filed a motion alleging bias on the part of the lay judge.
uncertainty
Unsicherheit and Befangenheit can both occur in social situations. Unsicherheit emphasizes the lack of self-confidence, whereas Befangenheit describes the visibly inhibited or self-conscious way someone behaves. Use Unsicherheit for the inner feeling and Befangenheit when that feeling is reflected in behavior.
Wegen seiner Befangenheit sprach Anna im Vorstellungsgespräch kaum und schaute oft auf den Boden.
Because of his self-consciousness, Anna barely spoke during the job interview and often looked at the floor.
Vor dem Vorstellungsgespräch spürte Anna große Unsicherheit und zweifelte an ihren Fähigkeiten.
Before the job interview, Anna felt very insecure and doubted her abilities.
