legation / diplomatic mission
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legation
A diplomatic mission that ranks below an embassy. The term can refer both to the institution and to the building.
Er wurde als Attaché an die deutsche Gesandtschaft in Bern berufen.
He was appointed as attaché to the German legation in Bern.
delegation
The group of people who are sent to another country as diplomatic representatives or envoys.
Die gesamte Gesandtschaft wurde zum Empfang beim Staatsoberhaupt eingeladen.
The entire delegation was invited to a reception with the head of state.
The word belongs to the word family of 'senden' (to send). A 'Gesandter' (envoy) is a person who is sent. The 'Gesandtschaft' (legation/delegation) is the institution or the group of these people.
Der König schickte eine Gesandtschaft, um über den Frieden zu verhandeln.
The king sent a delegation to negotiate peace.
Whether the building or the group of people is meant is revealed by the context. Prepositions of place such as 'in' (in) or 'bei' (at/with) point to the building. Verbs that describe actions by people point to the group.
Er arbeitet in der österreichischen Gesandtschaft. (Gebäude)
He works in the Austrian legation. (building)
'Gesandtschaft' (legation/delegation) is a formal, official term from the field of diplomacy and politics. It is rarely used in everyday language.
Die Gesandtschaft überreichte dem Präsidenten ein offizielles Schreiben.
The delegation handed the president an official letter.
mission
In diplomacy, both words can be connected with an assignment or representation. Mission emphasizes the political assignment and is less specific about the rank of the representation, while Gesandtschaft refers to a diplomatic representation ranked below an embassy. Use Mission for the assignment and Gesandtschaft for this type of representation.
Die Gesandtschaft nahm an den Gesprächen im Nachbarland teil.
The legation took part in the talks in the neighboring country.
Die politische Mission sollte einen neuen Friedensvertrag vorbereiten.
The political mission was supposed to prepare a new peace treaty.
