Perhaps merely the addition of the years - 'It has been many centuries since last we spoke....' would work better. And since the speaker says 'If you speak English', you don't need to qualify that that's what you'll speak in. So 'If you speak English, we may try (or attempt) to converse.'
However - since he's addressing someone in what is, apparently, a different language than the one *he* was addressed in, he doesn't even need to name it. He (and you) could simply say "It has been many centuries since last we spoke to your people, and few of us know the language of these lands, but if you understand me, perhaps we may try to speak thusly," he said, in his best English. Or 'barely-remembered' English or 'accented English'. If they understand him, he won't need to name the language. Hope I'm being clear. :)
Er... Thanks. It's a little bit different from what I had in mind, I believe I should think about it. I've noticed you used "we MAY try" not "we CAN try". Being Russian I have no idea what the difference is - does it mean that in this case "we CAN try" is wrong?
Not necessarily. Can = ability. I can speak English. May = permission. May we speak in English? Most people use can for both, but may is the more formal of the two, and this seemed a more formal occasion.
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However - since he's addressing someone in what is, apparently, a different language than the one *he* was addressed in, he doesn't even need to name it. He (and you) could simply say "It has been many centuries since last we spoke to your people, and few of us know the language of these lands, but if you understand me, perhaps we may try to speak thusly," he said, in his best English. Or 'barely-remembered' English or 'accented English'. If they understand him, he won't need to name the language. Hope I'm being clear. :)
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I've noticed you used "we MAY try" not "we CAN try". Being Russian I have no idea what the difference is - does it mean that in this case "we CAN try" is wrong?
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