happy for them to go to jail

[navi tasan]

1) I am happy for them to go to jail.

Does the speaker necessarily know that they are going to jail?
Could the sentence also mean that the speaker will be happy if they go to jail?

 

[emsr2d2]

I'd say that using "I'm happy" suggests the jail term is known. If it was currently a hypothetical or an unknown, we'd say "I would be happy for them to go to jail" or "I would be happy if they went to jail".

 

[jutfrank]

No. The most likely interpretation I think is that going to jail is presently a possibility that the speaker has no objection to. With this, I am happy means 'I don't object'.

 

[Tarheel]

I think it's a somewhat stronger statement than that. The person is pleased that they are going to jail. He is glad they are going to jail. It brightens his mood knowing they are going to jail. If I simply didn't have any objection to it I might say it doesn't bother me.