Should the King use the sunjunctive?

[eduncan]

A few days ago, King Juan Carlos of Spain made news by saying to President Chavez of Venezuela: "¿Por qué no te callas?"


My wife (a native speaker) says that the King’s announcement was a simple declarative statement, therefore it was properly expressed in the indicative mood.


I maintain that it was an expression of frustration and exasperation, therefore it was an expression of emotion, and therefore should be better expressed in the subjunctive.


Any thoughts?


Thanks


--Eric

[steve]

I have no idea but you should never question the King

[keivi72]

Es una buena pregunta!

I am a native speaker too, in fact from the country of your story's King ;-), and they way he said it sounds totally fine to me. I just think regular present tense sounds stronger than than the subjunctive.

Hope this helps!

kepa

[leticia]

Hi, i´m spanish, how can i explain..... in spanish, ok?? cuando una persona habla mucho, y lo que esta diciendo no tiene razón, y sigue una y otra vez con el mismo tema, la expresión para callarle en ingles sería: shut up!!!, pero en español es: ¿por qué no te callas? is like stop talking!!! because i have headche only with listen to you!!!.

i hope that you understand the explain

[steve]

Muchisimas gracias Leticia para tu explanacion fantastica!