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I should like to ...

by sudanglo, August 26, 2012

Messages: 6

Language: English

sudanglo (User's profile) August 26, 2012, 10:10:01 AM

This is a pretty standard formula of polite conversation in English, prefacing some remark or question. You might use it for example thanking someone, or for introducing a query or a tentative opinion.

In that sort of context which would you prefer in Esperanto?

Mi ŝatus diri kiel agrable estis renkonti vin denove.

Mi volus diri kiel multe mi ĝuis nian konversacion.

Mi ŝatus demandi vin pri io.

Mi volus scii ĉu la preleganto proponas ...

creedelambard (User's profile) August 26, 2012, 10:45:50 AM

Could you also use:

Mi dirus . . .

Mi demandus . . .

Mi scius . . .

??

Or is that a little more imperative than "I should like to . . . " conveys?

erinja (User's profile) August 26, 2012, 11:47:40 AM

American English uses the construction "I would like to ..." in this context.

I think that "mi ŝatus" or "mi volus" would both work well.

jkph00 (User's profile) August 26, 2012, 2:01:51 PM

sudanglo:This is a pretty standard formula of polite conversation in English, prefacing some remark or question. You might use it for example thanking someone, or for introducing a query or a tentative opinion.

In that sort of context which would you prefer in Esperanto?

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The use of the phrase "I should like" is one of the things that enchants me about British English. I agree with Erinja that either phrase (ŝatus, volus) would work, but by preference schooled by manners learned since childhood in the American South, I would first use ŝatus. To me it has the flavor of a feeling, of desire and represents the most polite exchange of the first level. Volus goes to the next level and has the flavor of will, an increase in self-centeredness and self-insertion.

Perhaps I err?

Vestitor (User's profile) August 26, 2012, 2:15:08 PM

Want voli, wish volo and like ŝatus, though interrelated do have their own nuance and I think that transfers to Esperanto, though the choice of whether to use it is probably determined by how you would formulate those ideas in your native language culture.

To my mind the actual difference lies in suggesting and stating a desire. Ŝatus is suggesting how you would like things to be (if possible, in ideal circumstances, if it isn't too much of a hassle!) and Volus is stating exactly what you want. Want is related to 'willing' things (and is precisely that word in several languages) which is essentially stating your desires wilfully - even if it isn't necessarily meant that way all the time.

sudanglo (User's profile) August 27, 2012, 9:10:42 AM

Volus is stating exactly what you want
That would be volas

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