--- "llama_nom" <600cell@...> wrote:

> Would it still be acceptable to use 'líka' in the sense of "to be
> happy/pleased/satisfied with" when referring to a specific event or
> action, or how one feels about something (a physical object or a
> circumstance) at one particular time, rather than to a general taste
> or preference?

I think you may have somewhat misunderstood me. I was
just expressing my own modern usage (in the spoken language),
not stating anything about general acceptability. And the
written language tends to be rather different. It is by
no means INCORRECT or UNACCEPTABLE to say (or write) "mér
líkar hann", but I find it an awkward thing to speak (and
not quite as awkward to write). Other generations (or people
raised in other parts of the country) may disagree, I'm not
sure. For example, it sounds like Haukur has no problem with
saying something of the sort.

> Konungsdóttir segir sér þetta vel líka ...

None of the examples sound exactly modern (and not
very old either, for that matter). They are all fairly
normal usage. In Old Icelandic the meaning is closer
to "please" than "be likeable", i.e. "mér líkar" = "it
pleases me".

> Hversu líkar þér nú skyrtan?
> How do you like the new shirt?

This would have to mean: "How do you like the shirt
NOW." "How do you like the new shirt?" would be "Hversu
líkar þér nýja skyrtan?" (And in modern Icelandic we
would say "hvernig" rather than "hversu".

> Gerið sem þér líkar.
> Do as you please.

This is slightly odd. One would either expect
"gerðu (ger þú)" or "yður". Unless it actually
means "Do (plural) as you (singular) please".

> en fara máttu með oss, ef þér líkar.
> but you can come with us if you like.

"... if it pleases you" would probably be closer to
the meaning - but of course it would depend on the
context.

Note that although I have a problem with using "mér
líkar hann", I have no problem with "mér líkar vel
við hann" (I like him). Note also that we say "mér
líkar illa við hann" (I don't like him) - which makes
this quite different from the English "like".

Regards,
E.