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The Subjunctive in Lazarillo De Tormes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 April 2026

Hayward Keniston
Hayward Keniston*
Affiliation:
University of Chicago
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Extract

There is at present a singular lack of materials in the historical development of Spanish syntax from the earliest period to the present time. At best, we possess only studies of isolated phenomena. The main lines of usage remain untouched. If we are to build up a picture of the evolution of syntactical form in Spain, we must have detailed studies of the current usage in each of the periods since the thirteenth century. I am now engaged in an effort to make a survey of sixteenth century syntax. The present study of the subjunctive in Lazarillo de formes is an example of the type of materials which I am gathering.

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
Language , Volume 6 , Issue 1-Part1 , March 1930, pp. 41 - 63
Copyright
Copyright © 1930 Linguistic Society of America

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References

1 Page and line references are to the edition of Strassburg [1912?] (Bibliotheca romanica 177). I have, however, collated the text with the critical text of Foulché-Delbosc, Madrid, 1900 (Bibliotheca hispanica 3), and accepted the latter's readings in all cases of variance. Examples taken from the additions first printed in the edition of Alcalá, 1554, are indicated by an asterisk. The total frequency of each construction is given in parentheses at the right edge of the page.

2 The vamos of this construction is, of course, a subjunctive, from Lat. vadamus.

3 I have interpreted this as equivalent to modern ‘Nunca a él yo habría debido venir’. It is possible that the meaning is ‘¡Ojalá que nunca a él yo hubiera tenido que venir!‘, in which case it should be classified under Wishes.

4 The time is revealed as present by the tense of the dependent clause.

5 Note the change in number.

6 Note the use of que for do or donde.

7 Note the use of indicative and subjunctive in parallel clauses.

8 It is possible that this is a condition contrary to fact in the present, but in view of the general usage of the text, it seems probable that it should be classified among the past conditions, since the past meaning is equally appropriate.

9 I have indicated the type to which each sentence belongs by reference to the preceding classification.

10 It is possible that this is an example of the use of the -ra form instead of the conditional perfect.