Me cojió mucho aprecio

[Alfonso]

Well, I usually relate more formal to less spontaneous, that's to say, less sincere.
Of course, it's not a general rule.
I think language formality was made to hide some intentions. It's a mask you can wear to behave as you are expected to behave, not as you want to behave. I can see here a dichotomy between nature and civilisation. What do you think?

[Iris]

In my case it's true because I'm into informal language because of my character. But there are some people who thrive on formal. You are not too formal, for example, but more than me, especially when you explain things, does that make you insincere, or does it simply show greater mastery of the language? (que fino me ha quedado esto último, debe ser todo mentira...)

[Alfonso]

If we speak about language, and any of us explain something, it's very common and sometimes necessary to use a formal language, and the kind of text we are producing is an expositive one. I don't think the concept of sincerity is suitable for a text of this type. This kind of text can be true or false, but it doesn't make sense to think about its sincerity.

But the example we considered first is the kind of I took a liking to her / I hold her in high esteem.


If you are told this:

• I took a liking to you.
• I hold you in high esteem.

... what phrase do you like most to be told? Who of the speakers do you think is more trustful?

Both of them can be trustful. But I think you can say, as an approaching statistic, that, as much as formality increases, sincerity and hearted words decreases.

I know this is only a thought I should confirm with examples or further study. Maybe some day...

[Escarabajo]

I hold him in high regard es muy habitual aquí en los estados.

[Alfonso]

Thanks a lot, Escarabajo.
So, I guess you don't use very often I hold him in high esteem, do you? Maybe it's British English, as it was Iris who said that.
A small but important correction: los Estados doesn't mean los Estados Unidos or Estados Unidos. In Spanish we don't use as many abbreviations as you do in English.

[Iris]

Alfonso , a person you trust is trustworthy.

[Alfonso]

Thank you Iris. Are you trustworthy? Of course, you are!

[Iris]

Originally Posted by Alfonso

If we speak about language, and any of us explain something, it's very common and sometimes necessary to use a formal language, and the kind of text we are producing is an expositive one. I don't think the concept of sincerity is suitable for a text of this type. This kind of text can be true or false, but it doesn't make sense to think about its sincerity.

But the example we considered first is the kind of I took a liking to her / I hold her in high esteem.


If you are told this:

• I took a liking to you.
• I hold you in high esteem.

... what phrase do you like most to be told? Who of the speakers do you think is more trustful?

Both of them can be trustful. But I think you can say, as an approaching statistic, that, as much as formality increases, sincerity and hearted words decreases.

I know this is only a thought I should confirm with examples or further study. Maybe some day...

It depends on the context. If my parish priest tells me he holds me in hight esteem, I will feel flattered. If the guy I like says the same I'll be crushed.

[Escarabajo]

Originally Posted by Alfonso

A small but important correction: los Estados doesn't mean los Estados Unidos or Estados Unidos. In Spanish we don't use as many abbreviations as you do in English.

Gracias, y quiero decir que sí, I hold him in high regard es más habitual que las otras dos formas aquí en EEUU. Y tiene razón: las otras son más británicas, aunque se usa esteem acá.

[Escarabajo]

Y también, Alfonso, I hold him in high esteem o regard es algo que se dice ante mucho conocimiento, o después de mucho tiempo.

- I met John's sister last week. I really took to her.
- I've known Pablo for five years now. I hold him in high esteem.
- I've been watching that guy's show a long time. He really knows his stuff. I hold him in high regard.

Aunque, en el ultimo caso, I really respect him o I respect him a lot son más habituales.