fattuale

Fattuale is an Italian adjective meaning relating to facts or based on facts. It is used to describe information, statements, analyses, or findings that are verifiably factual rather than hypothetical or opinion-based. In practice, it signals that the content under discussion is grounded in observable or demonstrable data.

Etymology and scope: The term derives from the noun fatto (fact) with the suffix -ale. It is most common in formal registers such as legal, scientific, and academic discourse, where precise distinction between factual findings and interpretive assertions is important. The related noun fattualità denotes the quality or state of being factual.

Usage: Fattuale is frequently found in phrases such as fatti fattuali, analisi fattuale, accertamento fattuale, and ricostruzione fattuale. It helps delimit discussions to verifiable elements rather than normative judgments or speculative hypotheses. For example, a report might state, “Il rapporto presenta una ricostruzione fattuale della vicenda,” indicating that the reconstruction is based on facts. Another use is, “La fattualità dei dati è stata confermata da fonti indipendenti,” noting that the factual basis of the data has been corroborated.

See also: Fact, fatto, fattualità, analisi dei fatti, ricostruzione fattuale, accertamento fattuale. The term is primarily a linguistic and discursive tool to articulate the boundary between what is observed or proven and what is interpreted or normative.