Dear Sir, – Drawing on what Frank McNally illuminated in his Irishman’s Diary (March 8th), Ireland is known for its usage of the conditional perfect tense as a nuanced way to mitigate potential hostility. My memory flashes back to a boss who had no qualms about stating his needs clearly. “I wish for you to finish this task.” Yet, whenever he rephrased it to “I would request you to conclude this task”, it was a clear signal that his mood was off, and the task better be done correctly.
That particular superior has since moved on. There was a time many years ago when he was in a position of authority over me when I was just a novice. – Yours sincerely,
PAVEL MARIANSKI,
Dungarvan,
Co Waterford.
Dear Sir, – I am reminded of an anecdote a lawyer once recounted to me. A man was called to the witness stand in the district court. The probing attorney asked, “Is your name Michael Murphy?” “I would appear to be,” he countered. “But, are you indeed Michael Murphy?” “I appear to be, I certainly do”, was his response. “Are you the same Michael Murphy employed by O’Sullivan and Co?” “I appear to be”, he responded once more. “We need certainty that your name is Michael Murphy, can you confirm this?” “I surely can.” “I believe, judge, for the sake of accuracy in the court record, we can deduce that the witness’s name is Michael Murphy.” – Yours sincerely,
FINBAR KEARNS,
Piercestown,
Co Wexford.