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han actuado a su libre albedrío

English translation: have done as they've pleased

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Spanish term or phrase:han actuado a su libre albedrío
English translation:have done as they've pleased
Entered by: Marian Martin (X)

14:35 Dec 29, 2012
Spanish to English translations [PRO]
Transport / Transportation / Shipping
Spanish term or phrase: han actuado a su libre albedrío
I'm practically done with this translation but I'd like to check this term, I really appreciate your invaluable suggestions.

Context: "Esta inicial ausencia de normas ha propiciado una ley de la selva en la que cada Estado y empresa han actuado a su libre albedrío durante años y ello supone que ahora el proceso de aprobación de normas sea mucho más complejo y difícil".

The problematic phrase here is "han actuado a su libre albedrío". The meaning of the paragraph as I see it implies that the people responsible for the rule-making process went about it unchecked or did not consult the other parties involved, especially the workers. I've thought about using "have done exactly as they please", but this sounds too informal. I'd appreciate other suggestions.

Thanks.
Marian Martin (X)
Spain
Local time: 23:27
have done as they've pleased
Explanation:
Or, if you prefer to take a slightly different angle on the matter:

have not been in the least accountable

The other suggestions offered thus far strike me as rather stilted.

Suerte.
Selected response from:

Robert Forstag
United States
Local time: 17:27
Grading comment
This is the one I've used. Thank you :)
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +3have done as they've pleased
Robert Forstag
4gave free rein to their own whims / followed their own instincts
Andrew Bramhall
4have acted autonomously
James A. Walsh
3 +1have acted unchecked
Andy Watkinson
3acted according to their own devices
DLyons
3free will
jude dabo


  

Answers


2 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
acted according to their own devices


Explanation:
Seems about the right level of (in)formality

DLyons
Ireland
Local time: 22:27
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 34
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks :)


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  philgoddard: This sounds odd.
13 hrs
  -> Thanks Phil. Probably a US/UK thing - it sounds perfectly ordinary to me.
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6 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
gave free rein to their own whims / followed their own instincts


Explanation:
The idea is 'dar rienda suelta a ', but now, they're being "reined in", so to speak; no longer so free to express their own will, volition, etc.

Andrew Bramhall
United Kingdom
Local time: 22:27
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you :)

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19 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
have done as they've pleased


Explanation:
Or, if you prefer to take a slightly different angle on the matter:

have not been in the least accountable

The other suggestions offered thus far strike me as rather stilted.

Suerte.

Robert Forstag
United States
Local time: 17:27
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 20
Grading comment
This is the one I've used. Thank you :)

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Alejandro Alcaraz Sintes: Gracias. Que también sea para ti feliz y próspero. Saludos.
1 hr
  -> Gracias, Alejandro. Feliz Año Nuevo.
agree  philgoddard
13 hrs
  -> Thank you, Phil. Happy New Year.
agree  neilmac: Love the sound of "libre albedrio" in Spanish, and am always looking for a way to lever it into my conversations... but it never comes up ;)
20 hrs
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
han actuado a su libre albedrío
have acted autonomously


Explanation:
I'm pretty sure this covers it, and also keeps it nice and simple (and neutral).
__________________

From Encarta dictionary (UK):

Autonomous:

1. Self-governing
politically independent and self-governing

2. Able to choose
able to make decisions and act on them as a free and independent moral agent

3. Self-sufficient
existing, reacting, or developing as an independent, self-regulating organism
__________________

Hope this helps :)



    Reference: http://tinyurl.com/ct5ex9u
James A. Walsh
Spain
Local time: 23:27
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in category: 51
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks :)

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10 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
free will


Explanation:
an option

jude dabo
Local time: 22:27
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you :)

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11 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
have acted unchecked


Explanation:
Another option.

Andy Watkinson
Spain
Local time: 23:27
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 12
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks! :)


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  neilmac: I like the hint of looming authority in this version :)
9 hrs
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