Indirect speech is an important aspect of Catalan grammar, as it allows speakers to report the words or thoughts of someone else without using their exact words. In Catalan, indirect speech generally requires the use of a reporting verb, such as “dir” (to say) or “pensar” (to think), followed by a subordinate clause introduced by “que” (that) or another conjunction. Verb forms within the subordinate clause may change depending on the context to reflect the original speaker’s perspective. Mastering indirect speech in Catalan can greatly enhance students’ ability to communicate and understand complex narratives or conversations.
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the appropriate verb forms in indirect speech
1. Ella va dir que *aniria* (go) a la festa.
2. La mestra va explicar que *havia* (have) de llegir el llibre.
3. La meva mare em va demanar si *volia* (want) un tallat.
4. El meu amic em va dir que *visitaria* (visit) Barcelona l’any vinent.
5. El jove va expressar que *estava* (be) preocupat pel seu futur.
2. La mestra va explicar que *havia* (have) de llegir el llibre.
3. La meva mare em va demanar si *volia* (want) un tallat.
4. El meu amic em va dir que *visitaria* (visit) Barcelona l’any vinent.
5. El jove va expressar que *estava* (be) preocupat pel seu futur.
Exercise 2: Fill in the blanks with the appropriate indirect speech connectors
1. Vaig sentir *que* (that) ell havia comprat un cotxe nou.
2. Em va comentar *que* (that) no podria venir a la reuniĆ³.
3. La noia deia *que* (that) acabava de fer un viatge increĆÆble.
4. En Carlos explica *que* (that) vol aprendre a parlar catalĆ .
5. La companya- de- classe assegura *que* (that) aquest examen Ć©s el mĆ©s difĆcil.
2. Em va comentar *que* (that) no podria venir a la reuniĆ³.
3. La noia deia *que* (that) acabava de fer un viatge increĆÆble.
4. En Carlos explica *que* (that) vol aprendre a parlar catalĆ .
5. La companya- de- classe assegura *que* (that) aquest examen Ć©s el mĆ©s difĆcil.