Of Imaginary Numbers and the Subjuctive
Written by Kyle on Friday, August 22, 2008 in Costa Rica
Feelin' annoyed
This is for all of you language-lovers (or haters) out there...Feelin' annoyed
Remember when in Algebra class you learned all about imaginary numbers? No? Ok, a refresher. i = square root of -1 and it's imaginary because there is no square root of negative one. So, if you express something like 2i, it means it is two times the square root as one, which means twice of something that doesn't exist. And i squared? That equals -1 which brings you back into "real" numbers again. Sigh.
Anyway, when I learned the imaginary number concept, I kind of understood it, but only in the sense where I understood it enough to pass a test but not well enough to actually understand what it meant or why it even existed in the first place.
Why do I bring this up? Because now I'm in the same frame of mind except that instead of being imaginary numbers, I'm learning about the subjunctive mood in Spanish (again).
So what is this subjuctive mood, then, you say? Well, it's kind of like imaginary numbers. You basically use it when you talk about things that don't exist, or might not happen. Your textbook will tell you that the subjuntive is used to "express wishes, commands, emotion, possibility, judgment, necessity, or statements that are contrary to fact at present". In short, you use it to express imaginary things, things that don't or might not ever exist; imaginary things. Great, you say. I get it. That doesn't seem too hard to do, right?
Wrong.
The problem is that we don't use the subjuctive that much in English and when we do, we have no idea that we are using it. Take an easy example:
I know what that means, you know what it means. It means that right now I am wishing for it to be summer. But how would I express that it is summer right now? Easy:
So all I have to do is think about when I would use subjunctive in English, and use it in Spanish, right?
Wrong again, my friend.
First, I still don't know when I use subjunctive in English because it comes so naturally to me when I say it in English. Hell, I had to look up the preceding example online because I couldn't think of one single example in English. Second, the subjunctive in Spanish is used way more often than in English. Take this example:
Great. Wonderful. Now not only is it hard enough for me to think about when we use subjunctive in English, I have to now think about when people would use it in Spanish. And don't think about asking anyone else but your Spanish teacher about subjuctive. If you ask your new Costa Rican friend about the subjuctive, he'll look at you as if you are talking about an alien landing you saw yesterday.
So, that's where I am right now, trying to figure out this magical, enchanted wonderland of stuff that doesn't exist. Just like the imaginary numbers I learned years ago, maybe it's good enough to know enough to fool someone for now; maybe someday, the lightbulb will go on and I will be enlightened. Untill then, I'll cross over into the imaginary world with intrepedation and fear, hoping that one day I can understand all things that aren't real.
Comments on "Of Imaginary Numbers and the Subjuctive"
Ha! Don't worry. People don't use the subjuctive that much in English and sometimes they don't even use it correctly, anyways.
Let's see if I can help you with the English....Ive given about 1093842485734 lessons on this very subject. I always tell my students to think of the subjunctive (or often called, the CONDITIONAL in English) as math problems:
Subjunctive 1:
Present tense + future--express absolute truth. Cause and effect (If it rains, I WILL stay home)
Subjunctive 2:
Simple past + WOULD and the infinitive---to express something that COULD come true, but probably wont becase the current situation speaks against it (If I went with you to the party, I would not have fun. OR If I WERE a rich man, I WOULD by a big tall house with rooms by the dozen!--we use WERE with "I" in this context because it expresses the irreality of the situation! )
Subjuntive 3:
Past perfect + WOULD HAVE and past participle-- to express the OPPOSITE of what actually HAPPENED, so expostulating about " what could have been" (If I had not drunk those 21 shots on my birthday, I would not have had such a hang-over the next day---but the TRUTH is, I DID have 21 shots, and and DID have a hang-over the next day)
Get it? And I HATE imaginary numbers.
Now, David wants to help you with Spanish:
Dont try to THINK about it--it doesnt make sense at all- Even in closely related languages like French and Spanish, the rules of subjuntive differ significantly. Just learn the rules and accept them--like imaginary numbers! Or, DONT accept them, and move to Spain-- cause in some parts of Spain, they dont even use it!! And dont bother asking a native speaker about it---they usually have no idea about the rules (they get it with their mother milk)
GOOD LUCK! COME TO AUSTRIA!
Off we go to sing karaoke!!!
First, we definately should come to austria (conditional in Spanish). It would be much easier if Austria moved closer to south america (this would require the past tense subjuntive).
Also, example 3 would make my head explode in Spanish. My teacher would just tell me that it is the pluperfect subjuctive, which would make me furl my brow and then think about learning Hindi instead. (Just in case you need it: Si no hubiera tomado 21 traigos para mi cumpleanos, no hubiera haber tenido una goma tan mal el proximo dia.)
Lastly, I would like to go to the part of Spain that doesn't use subjuctive. (don't tell me it's Basque, either, that doesn't count) They must be super advanced people.
Hooray! You're to the point in you Spanish learnin' when it will impact your English in a POSITIVE way. I love it. And as I'm sure you know, a depressingly large majority of Americans would say "I wish it WAS summer," which makes me cringe. Case in point: "Don't you wish your girlfriend was hot like me?" OUCH!! It hurts just to type it! Would those Pussycat chicas really sell fewer records if they spoke correct English? I mean, it even fits in the rhythm of the song! "Don't cha wish your girlfriend were hot like me? Don't cha wish your girlfriend were a freak like me? Don't cha?"
Hey, let's just rejoice that they are actually conjugating the verbs at all. I wouldn't be surprised to hear "Don't you wish your girlfriend be a freak like me?".
Also remember that we are all just speaking bastardized Latin. I'm sure Cicero would be rolling in his grave if he knew (subjunctive!) what had become of Latin.
Simple solution.....speak only in the present tense and live only in the present tense.
When you take care of your todays, hopefully your yesterdays and tomorrows will take care of themselves. Sidebar....when I took algebra they told us that it was a necessary tool for everyday life........they lied! So maybe you'll never have to be "subjuctive."
Hello ! , this is Miguel i speak spanish but i'm not interested talking about !, i've been learning english by myself on the internet , it's easy but sometimes i've found some phrases which in my own opinion don't make any sense . And i've been worried about the " subjuctive " in english , i don't know if it is correct to spell this sentence like this "" . if only you'd have known how much you meant to me , you wouldn't had gone , "" i spell this setence using my spanish rule , but i'm not sure if it is properly or has a mistake . if you can asssit me , i'd be so happy to know the right way . and if i can help you with your spanish , would me a pleasure ! , see you soon !
Pretty good! I don't know if I would be able to form that sentence in Spanish. Fortunately for you, in English we rarely use the subjunctive. In fact, your whole sentence is just conditional in english. In any case, the sentence is totally correct except for the next to the last word. It should be "you wouldn't have gone." (no habria salida) Since earlier in the sentence you conjugated (the English equivalent of "haber") to have ("you'd have known how much...") you need to stick to the same tense. I hope I didn't confuse you too much! That is a hard sentence! Si necisita este en Español, por favor escribame! Tambien, se puede usar este sitio de web para los preguntas. Es un buen fuete de informacion: http://www.busuu.com/es
I dont get what is the problem. maybe that is why I am so bad at English class
by Elvis at August 22, 2008 03:42 PM