European Portuguese - Learn the Subjunctive with Disney! (MEMORABLE quotes make it EASY!)

TL;DR

Learn Portuguese subjunctive using Disney movie quotes.

Transcript

the subjunctive is probably one of the hardest things to get your head around i know it's definitely caused me some headaches over the years this is because it's not really something that we use in modern english it comes across as very formal now we use it in set phrases such as if i were you but to be honest in english now we phrase things in a d... Read More

Key Insights

• The subjunctive mood is challenging for English speakers as it is not commonly used in modern English, making it difficult to grasp its application in Portuguese.
• Memorable quotes from Disney movies can serve as effective mnemonic devices to remember when to use the subjunctive mood in Portuguese.
• The mnemonic 'WEIRD' helps learners remember the contexts for subjunctive usage: Wishes, Emotions, Imperative, Requests, and Doubt.
• Wishes are expressed in the subjunctive when there is uncertainty about the outcome, as illustrated by Mulan's quote from 'I'll Make a Man Out of You.'
• Emotions are another context for the subjunctive, exemplified by Nala's expression in 'The Lion King' when she conveys her feelings about Simba's actions.
• Imperative commands often borrow subjunctive forms, demonstrated by Belle's plea in 'Beauty and the Beast' during a dramatic scene.
• Requests necessitate the subjunctive when the subject changes within a sentence, as shown by Anna's demand in 'Frozen.'
• Doubt is a key trigger for the subjunctive, highlighted by Jasmine's response in 'Aladdin' when she questions her desire to be a princess.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is the subjunctive mood difficult for English speakers?

The subjunctive mood is challenging for English speakers because it is not commonly used in modern English. Instead, English speakers often phrase things differently to avoid using the subjunctive, making it less familiar and harder to grasp when learning languages like Portuguese, where it is still actively used.

Q: How does the mnemonic 'WEIRD' help learners?

The mnemonic 'WEIRD' helps learners remember the contexts for using the subjunctive mood in Portuguese. It stands for Wishes, Emotions, Imperative, Requests, and Doubt, providing a structured way to identify situations where the subjunctive is necessary, thereby simplifying the learning process.

Q: What role do Disney quotes play in learning the subjunctive?

Disney quotes serve as effective mnemonic devices for learning the subjunctive mood. By associating memorable quotes from beloved movies with specific grammatical rules, learners can more easily recall when to use the subjunctive, making the learning process both engaging and memorable.

Q: Can you give an example of using the subjunctive for wishes?

An example of using the subjunctive for wishes is found in the quote from Mulan, 'I hope that he doesn't discover me,' where the hope introduces uncertainty about the outcome. In Portuguese, the verb in the wish would be in the subjunctive form to reflect this uncertainty.

Q: How is the subjunctive used in expressing emotions?

The subjunctive is used in expressing emotions when there is an element of uncertainty or subjectivity involved. For instance, Nala in 'The Lion King' expresses a feeling by saying, 'It's good that...' which introduces a subjective assessment, requiring the verb to be in the subjunctive form.

Q: What is an example of using the subjunctive for imperative commands?

An example of using the subjunctive for imperative commands is Belle's plea in 'Beauty and the Beast,' where she says, 'Please don't leave me.' The command 'don't leave me' requires the subjunctive form of the verb because it expresses an imperative action directed at another person.

Q: How does the subjunctive apply to requests?

The subjunctive applies to requests when the subject of the sentence changes, introducing uncertainty about the action being fulfilled. In 'Frozen,' Anna's request to Kristoff, 'I want you to take me,' shifts the subject from herself to him, necessitating the use of the subjunctive in Portuguese.

Q: What indicates the use of the subjunctive for doubt?

The use of the subjunctive for doubt is indicated by expressions of uncertainty or possibility, such as Jasmine's line in 'Aladdin,' 'Maybe I no longer want to be a princess.' The word 'maybe' introduces doubt, requiring the verb in the sentence to be in the subjunctive form in Portuguese.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The video explains the complexity of the subjunctive mood in Portuguese and offers a mnemonic device, 'WEIRD,' to help learners remember its usage. Disney quotes are used as examples to illustrate each context: Wishes, Emotions, Imperative, Requests, and Doubt.

• Using Disney movies, the video demonstrates how the subjunctive is applied in various grammatical situations. Mulan, Nala, Belle, Anna, and Jasmine each provide quotes that exemplify different triggers for the subjunctive mood.

• The video encourages learners to use memorable quotes and songs as tools to aid in mastering the subjunctive mood in Portuguese. It also promotes an upcoming intermediate course for those seeking more advanced grammar guidance.