Direct objects and Usted/Ustedes

Question

I was working on the DO section of my Spanish workbook and it mentioned that in some countries, Les is used instead of Los to refer to Usted and Ustedes. I was using HelloTalk and this situation came up, and some people corrected Conocerlos to ConocerLES and some didn't. I think I was trying to write "Mucho gusto concocerlos" in this situation, but I don't remember exactly.

I don't think that either of the two textbooks I've gone through so far even mentioned this switch from Los to Les for Direct Objects, so I was wondering in which countries this is usually seen, and if that's even correct. Hope I explained it correctly, thanks!

Answer 1

This is leísmo, people from parts of Spain do this, including Madrid.

It is done only in the masculine sense, RAE accepts the substitution of le for lo as a direct object, but not les for los, still it is done.

Here is an article, I will include the part of les/los- this deals with laísmo and loísmo as well, and le for usted only. I am not quoting the entire article but it is worth reviewing.

https://www.thoughtco.com/leismo-and-related-variations-3079360

Other types of leísmo: While the Academy recognizes le as a singular direct object when referring to a male person, that isn't the only type of leísmo you may hear.

While the use of les as a direct object when referring to multiple persons is less common, it also is frequently used and is listed as a regional variation in some grammar texts despite what the Academy may say. Thus you may hear "les veo" (I see them) when referring to males (or a mixed male/female group) even though the Academy would recognize only los veo.

It may be more correct to use a preposition- en or de:

Although maybe your version is okay as short for:

Me da mucho gusto conocerlos

muy bien explicado :) - 006595c6, Sep 5, 2017

Gracias, Heidita. :) - bosquederoble, Sep 5, 2017

Any preference between Mucho gusto conocerles, Mucho gusto en conocerles, and mucho gusto de conocerles? - bosquederoble, Sep 5, 2017

Personally I use en (and conocerlos of course) but I am not sure what is the norm. :) - bosquederoble, Sep 5, 2017

en is the most common, good job - 006595c6, Sep 5, 2017

Answer 2

Me da mucho gusto conocerlos

I don't want to be radical...but I guess here in Madrid they would ask: ¿los ...qué?

here this would even be considered a mistake, as los is for things...very odd, I know.

Same for "Lo he visto"...nobody here would ever think you are talking about a man

Answer 3

Hello!

I'm not sure if this question is pertinent to this subject. Direct Object Pronouns with Ud.

Hope this helps.

Regards!