Not sure what to make of this volitional (?) + rhet. question particle. For
example:

> それなら一息入｛ひといきい｝れようか。

My gut feeling is to to translate this as "because of that, can (I) really
take a breather?" (very strongly implying that I can't) or "I can't really
take a break"- would that be correct?

Does it feel similar to:

> それなら一息入｛ひといきい｝れるまい。
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2015-03-27T16:27:11.530
23497
2015-03-28T00:51:43.017
2015-03-27T16:34:06.330
9685
9685
question
colloquial-language volitional-form
連体形＋ようか (casual) - what to make of it?
> 「それなら一息入れようか。」
>
> "My gut feeling is to to translate this as "because of that, can (I) really
> take a breather?"

Mine is to translate it as **"Let's take a break then, shall we?"**

I used the all-purpose "then". I could not think of a situation or context
where 「それなら」 in 「それなら一息入れようか」 would mean "because of that", but you are the
one who knows the context.

> " (very strongly implying that I can't) or "I can't really take a break"-
> would that be correct?"

No, it would not. Wonder what words lead you to think that way.

Under normal circumstances, 「それなら一息入れようか。」 would be said only when the speaker
thinks it appropriate to take a break. Though there is the question particle
「か」 in there, all it is saying is really just "Let's take a break!" If the
larger context proves otherwise, you should provide it.

> "Does it feel similar to: 「 それなら一息入れるまい。」?"

No, not at all, I am afraid. Why bring in a negation auxiliary verb here?

I feel it would be either:

1) 「それなら一息入れようか。」 was said in an extremely unusual situation that is beyond
the imagination of an average J-speaker as myself. Or,

2) You are somehow seeing something that is not in the sentence. (Perhaps
because you are reading too much into it?)
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2015-03-28T00:51:43.017
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2015-03-28T00:51:43.017
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answer