desempeñar

[Tyrn]

Hi,

What's the semantic relation between empeñar and desempeñar? Of course, a living language is under no obligation to have any, but I'm still curious

[aleCcowaN]

If I had to guess what a dictionary of ideas depart from, I'd expect to see

empeñar = poner de uno mismo un honesto esfuerzo para llevar a cabo una tarea o alcanzar un objetivo

Several new meanings or uses derive from that

empeñar la palabra = comprometerse mediante el acto de dar una promesa (to pledge one's world)

empeñar un objeto de valor = obtener dinero en préstamo dejando el objeto en garantía (to pawn something)

The last action can be reverted, so we use the prefix des-

desempeñar un objeto de valor = recuperar el objeto mediante la devolución del dinero prestado más los intereses acordados y dentro del plazo estipulado (to redeem the object)

But you can't use the prefix des- in this sense with any verb that implies an irreversible or irreparable action. Kids talk about desromper* something because they lack the proper words (reparar, componer, arreglar).

Empeñar is one of such verbs, so, what does des- do with it? In my understanding des- is there to point out the stream of empeño that is poured into some task or office "with all the responsabilities and privileges attached to it", so

desempeñar = (perform, carry out, execute)

I'm sure you will be able to sort out the many meanings of both verbs following these criteria.