Translation - Bulgarian-English - oba4e vsi4ki imali po niakolko deca

Hi alizeia,

I think this should read:
"But it is/was said that everybody should have children."

Is that the meaning?

Мм,not sure how to say in English.I read the text once again- that's sth like re-telling The one says: "Everybody has children" and the other says "He said, everybody ...." (I'm not sure how was that about the indirect speech :blush like the language in the fairytales I hope I helped you!

Oh..then...

direct speech: "Everybody has children."
reported speech: "He said (that) everybody had children."

That must be,thanks a lot!!

"But everybody had several children."

Hi Via,
so...you say that it's not reported speech as alizeia thinks?

CC: ViaLuminosa

I think it could be reported speech or not, depending on the context. There is definitely a "but"

It's an indefinite form, there is no anything like "he said". Just past simple tense. It's exactly as I translated it. Besides it's not "many" but "several children"!