be

hy2007

In the following sentence, is the word 'be' used like 'whether'?
Also, is the word 'them' used correctly here?
\"Be them white or non-white, these are the people from the lowest
social echelon.\"

petersheng

"Be them white or non-white, these are the people from the lowest social echelon."
意思就是：
"Whether they are white or non-white, these are the people from the lowest social echelon."

白马西北驰

引用第0楼hy2007于2007-11-19 07:55发表的 be :
In the following sentence, is the word 'be' used like 'whether'?
Also, is the word 'them' used correctly here?
"Be them white or non-white, these are the people from the lowest
social echelon."

I suppose that this 'be' is in subjunctive mood. As for the 'them', it seems to me doubtful.

cf> Be he friend or enemy, the law regards him as a criminal.