Imperative, subjunctive or something else?

Question

Hi Everyone,

I'm reading a text about the history of Spanish, and I came across this sentence that I am struggling with, specifically the first bit that I've italicised and the verb conjugation.

I can't work out whether it is encouraging people, via the ustedes imperative, to know more and read this book; or whether it is using the subjunctive to say people will know more if they read this book. Of course, it may be another meaning entirely!

What do people think?

"Sepan cuantos este libro lean que narra la historia de la lengua espanol, una historia milenaria que admira y sorprende a quienes a ella se acercan."

Thanks!

Welcome to SpanishDict, Maxash. - rac1, Jun 23, 2017

Welcome from a fellow Brit - looks beyond beginner to me, but better to underestimate your abilities and most people never amend their profile despite improving - Mardle, Jun 23, 2017

very nice question, welcome to the forum :) - 006595c6, Jun 23, 2017

Answer 1

"Know you who read this book that....." KInd of sounds like Snakespearean English. I don't know how to say third person singular imperative in 17th century English. I'm a bit younger.

Maxash, leave details in your "about" and then ask us anything. Give your best shot at interpreting what you read.

Thanks very much DonBigoteDeLaLancha, that's very helpful. I've updated my profile to provide a bit more information as well. - Maxash, Jun 23, 2017

Answer 2

(Quiero que) sepan los que lean.............This could be one way of understanding it. After quiero que we have subjunctive. Saber los que lean (subj) it would those who read the text especially in the future or eventually.

Another way would be "sepan Uds." like an imperative .

This is quite common. For example:

Tenga en cuenta que hay poca luz en esta calle. Sepa el camino antes de comenzar el viaje. Cuenten conmigo.
Beban poco alcohol. Beban cuanto alcohol quieran.(subj quieran()
Corrijan el texto todos los que puedan. (subj puedan) Visiten Londres cuando tengan la oportunidad. (subj tengan)

I don't think the text is saying people will know more.

Muchas gracias, su respuesta estuve muy ùtil! - Maxash, Jun 23, 2017

De nada - polenta1, Jun 23, 2017

Answer 3

Hi Max, welcome to the forum

I think you are quite right. it does encourage people to read the book.

I would say

Be aware, those who read this book, that this is the history of the Spanish language.....

¡Muchas gracias Heidita2! - Maxash, Jun 23, 2017

Answer 4

"Sepan cuantos este libro lean que narra la historia de la lengua espanol, una historia milenaria que admira y sorprende a quienes a ella se acercan."

This is a command for "Know you all that" (whenever we are talking to a plural you the imperative conjugates as the subjunctive). However, everything in that sentence looks strange. Are you sure it is a trustworthy source? "Español" should be "española" and even if most of it is grammatical, it doesn't sound natural at all.

Hi Shamelesspanish, thanks very much for your answer. The español is a typo on my part when I was quoting the text, the original does say española. I could work my way through most of it, but I was getting a bit hung up on the first line! - Maxash, Jun 23, 2017