May the best moments be those yet to come

My first trip to Spain in October 2021 had a profound effect on me. Even before I landed back home I knew I wanted to return. Accompanying this pull in my heart was also the desire to learn the language. Frustrated with my meagre high school Spanish, I wanted at least a conversational level of Spanish so I could talk to people and better explore this country that fascinated me.

Over three years later, I continue to poke away at it. Language lessons, podcasts, apps, conversation class, Spanish TV shows and music. It all helps. But I also get discouraged by my slow progress.

The other day I was listening to a Spanish song I like. I had heard it before. This time a few words clicked. Not only the meaning but I also recognized the verb form: subjunctive.

Progress is not linear. But it’s happening.

I transcribed the lyrics (an exercise suggested in a podcast) to see what more I could decipher.

Subjunctive is a nebulous concept for English speakers as we don’t have a distinctive subjunctive verb form. Subjunctive is like a mood. There are rules and trigger words to help determine when to use it, but it’s tricky. In general it is used when there is uncertainty. A good example is expressing a wish or desire (I hope the tavern serves vermouth on tap, Espero que la taverna sirva vermut al grifo). There are many other situations that trigger subjunctive, such as some kind of opinion (it’s necessary that you eat anchovies in Spain, Es necesario que comas anchoas en España) or a possibility (I may go to the castle tomorrow, Quizás vaya al castillo mañana).

One lovely word that ALWAYS triggers subjunctive is Ojalá. An expression of hope, like saying ‘if only’ or ‘hopefully’ or ‘I wish’. ¡Ojalá ganen los Oilers! Hopefully the Oilers will win!

¡Ojalá!

Then we come to a word like ‘que’. This small but ubiquitous word has so many meanings (what, how, that, than, so, who….too many to list!) One interesting use is to express a wish or desire. If you are still with me here, then you might be thinking this is a situation for subjunctive. You are right! Isn‘t grammar fun?! The best translation of ‘que’ when used to express a wish or desire would be ‘may’.

In Star Wars, Spanish speaking Jedis would use it quite a lot:

Que la Fuerza te acompañe. 
May the Force be with you. 

Or for a more earthly salutation:

Que tengas un buen día.
May you have a good day.

This brings me back to the song by Shinova. It was the ‘que’ in combination with subjunctive (sean, venga) that caught my ear.

The verse resonated with me. Words have a way of finding you when you need them. Even if I had to listen a few more times, and lean on google translate, I caught the hopeful sentiment in the moment as I was swaying to the beat. A verse encouraging us to be optimistic for the days to come.

It’s one I want to remember. I hope I do. ¡Ojalá!