Albeit

[JPablo]

Is this word [albeit] "too formal" or even pedantic?
(This is a question for English native speakers, but Spanish speakers can let me know too!)
si bien es cierto que, aunque; yes, I have been there, albeit briefly sí he estado allí, aunque or si bien es cierto que por poco tiempo.
(The Spanish equivalent does not sound "pedantic" to me, but it is definitely 'formal'.)

[hermit]

It is a term less often used than "although", etc. Whether or not it's
too pedantic depends on who is involved in the conversation. The
average person will seldom, if ever, use "albeit"; on the other hand,
if you're talking to a fellow student/teacher/literate person who is sure
to understand the word, feel free.

[poli]

Most English speakers would say "I was there briefly" instead of "I was there albeit briefly."
I think the Spanish term that mosl resembles albeit is o sea. Do you think I am correct about this? To me albeit is a remnant of the now-
nearly-defunct English subjunctive. What do you think fellas?

[JPablo]

Thank you Hermit, your words of wisdom and practical 'know-how' are very much appreciated. I will use the term as you indicate, albeit not so often as "although" or "even if". (Even if I feel compelled to use it 'for practice'!)

Well, Poli, the Spanish is "aunque" "si bien". The derivation of the English is [1350–1400; ME al be it al(though) it be], which yes, it may have this "subjunctive" connotation. The o sea in Spanish, to me is equivalent to something like "I mean" or "that is to say" which does not have the "adversative" sense that "aunque" or "albeit" has.

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by poli

Most English speakers would say "I was there briefly" instead of "I was there albeit briefly."
I think the Spanish term that mosl resembles albeit is o sea. Do you think I am correct about this? To me albeit is a remnant of the now-
nearly-defunct English subjunctive. What do you think fellas?

Yes, it's part of the English subjunctive, which is not used much but far from defunct, at least in England. I have to disagree slightly with the above, because I find it not remotely stilted or unusual. But then perhaps I'm unusual.

[poli]

I like the English subjunctive, and it is widely among people with good command of the language even in North America. Nevertheless, I hear "if I was you" instead of "if I were you" often. I fear the subjunctive in Englsh is disappearing o sea (aunque, pero) demoradamente.

[JPablo]

Alas! Same happens with the Spanish subjunctive... albeit in a lesser degree compared with English, I believe. I do like it both in Spanish and English, as to me "subjunctive" is the mode of the dreams, of the possibility... and somewhat, it gives one more freedom of expression... (Well, at least that's what I think, even if people may thing I tend to be a bit "idealistic"... Nonetheless, "soñar es gratis", albeit it is good to take heed of the pavement, if one is walking along the street!)
Thank you all for your views, data and opinions. Very valuable to me!

[poli]

The Spanish subjuntive sometimes baffles me, but it is such an integral part of the language! Anyway I like it. It adds nuance to the language, but I sometime wonder if I make proper use of it.

[CrOtALiTo]

Originally Posted by JPablo

Is this word [albeit] "too formal" or even pedantic?
(This is a question for English native speakers, but Spanish speakers can let me know too!)
si bien es cierto que, aunque; yes, I have been there, albeit briefly sí he estado allí, aunque or si bien es cierto que por poco tiempo.
(The Spanish equivalent does not sound "pedantic" to me, but it is definitely 'formal'.)

The word Albiet doesn't sound so pedantic.

At least you could to say.
That in definitive it's the same equivalent of the word albeit.
(Aunque)

Truly it means!

[JPablo]

Thank you CrOtALiTo.

[Esperar]

You don't really need to use that word. I don't think I've ever used it.

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by Esperar

You don't really need to use that word. I don't think I've ever used it.

I have, albeit seldom.

[Esperar]

I think the more vast your vocabulary is, the more likely you are going to use it. The people I speak to almost never use it.

[JPablo]

Well, Esperar, I appreciate your point.
But by now, (and take no offense whatsoever) after all the discussion about it, while I maybe don't need to use it, I got familiar enough with it, to be able to do so [to use it] with freedom, and when I want to, in the proper context and knowing its meaning and usage. I understand it is not the commonest world in English language (that's why I asked about it in the first place), albeit I must say that I like how it sounds, its meaning... and if you want, "its controversy". See, the more words you can RECOGNIZE (or RECOGNISE) the better your understanding. The more words you can USE, the better will be your communication to others. (This applies to any LANGUAGE.) Normally, I believe there is a percentage like you use something on the range of 30% of the words you can recognize. I.e., if you know 50,000 English words, you would use with ease 15,000... (I am saying this from memory, but somewhere there must be some exact data related to this...) I.e, when you can recognize "10,000 Spanish words" you may be able to use 3,000 Spanish words with ease...
Although I am getting now into another entire different subject (Albeit I am getting now into another entire different subject), my point is that here we are learning words, usages, (even in Spanish I am learning words and usages I had never heard of before) and so, once you know these, it seems to me more positive to use them than to avoid them. In that way, when you hear or read that word again, it is already "yours" and you don't have to think about its meaning again...
Well, so much for my "dissertation"... I hope it is helpful in some way.

Thank you Perikles and Esperar, I see that "albeit" is seldom used, albeit I must have started an increase in its usage since I last posed a question about it!

[Esperar]

I understand.

Just know, that some less educated people may not know what it means, even if they are native speakers of English.

Just to prove my point, I asked my sister what the word meant, and she didn't know. Yes, she is not that educated. Of course neither am I really, but I try.

[JPablo]

I totally get you, Esperar.
Well, you're right, although it is better to know than not to know... I bet if you try, you'll become more and more educated... Ramon y Cajal (a Spanish neurologist, Nobel prize and everything else) said or wrote: 'mediocre people can be educated... the genius ones educate themselves...' so no matter how "uneducated" we may be, and whether we want to be 'geniuses' or not, it is always better to 'try' than not to try...
Knowledge is a tool that carries with it responsibility, but with real responsibility comes real Freedom... (Well, I guess I'm too philosophical this morning!)
At any rate, thank you for your input!

[Esperar]

Yep, this is why I try to learn Spanish, even though I know I am a slow learner. I'll be fluent in it some day, I'm sure.

[JPablo]

Muy bien. Si necesitas ayuda o tienes alguna duda o pregunta, no dudes en preguntar... (Como dice Irmamar: Dudo, luego existo, ¿o no? )
Translation: (Correct my English, if you will)
[Very well. If you need any assistance or you have any doubt or question, do not hesitate to ask... (As Irmamar says: I doubt, therefore I exist, [yes] or not?)/ain't that right? ]

[irmamar]

Originally Posted by JPablo

Muy bien. Si necesitas ayuda o tienes alguna duda o pregunta, no dudes en preguntar... (Como dice Irmamar: Dudo, luego existo, ¿o no? )
Translation: (Correct my English, if you will)
[Very well. If you need any assistance or you have any doubt or question, do not hesitate to ask... (As Irmamar says: I doubt, therefore I exist, [yes] or not?)/ain't that right? ]

¿Quieres decir?

[chileno]

Originally Posted by JPablo

Muy bien. Si necesitas ayuda o tienes alguna duda o pregunta, no dudes en preguntar... (Como dice Irmamar: Dudo, luego existo, ¿o no? )
Translation: (Correct my English, if you will)
[Very well. If you need any assistance or if you have any doubt or question, do not hesitate to ask... (As Irmamar says: I doubt, therefore I exist, [yes] or not?)/ain't that right? ]