Knašta/Polite Speech

Polite Speech, or Parlenskatsjonsíl [parlɛnskatsjonsil] in Knašta, is a form of speech that makes use of the conditional mood to convey a sense of politeness and respect.

History and Development

Polite Speech is makes use of the conditional mood, which is achieved by adding the prefix síl- [sil] to the front of the verb infinitive. For example:

Sí ní minǰeskakatsí síl-mwértsakatsí.
If I don't eat, I will die.

Polite Speech first started out as the template phrases:

Sí vālencanés, «frazatí vérba osíàrívítjatsjon».
If you wish, verbal phrase in the conditional.

Sí ǰis dos bots por vošní, «frazatí vérba osíàrívítjatsjon».
If it is good for you, verbal phrase in the conditional.

These templates were used to ask favors or permission in formal situations, such as:

Sí vālencanés, síl-minǰeskanés.
If you would like you may start eating.

Sí ǰis dos bots por vošnísin, mos-levakatsa matka.
If you would like we shall leave.