Position of the adjective Descriptions, however, are often more complex than this, and one point to consider is the position of the adjective with respect to the noun to which it refers. Adjective position in Spanish is fairly flexible, and whether the adjective precedes or follows the noun depends on a number of factors, among them the following: (a) Meaning, which in a few cases varies according to position, for example: un hombre grande ‘a big man’ un gran hombre ‘a great man’ una persona pobre ‘a poor person’ (without money) una pobre persona ‘a poor person’ (pitiful) una casa nueva ‘a new house’ una nueva casa ‘another house’ 212una persona única ‘a unique person’ la única persona ‘the only person’ (b) The overtone placed on the adjective by the speaker, which may be distinctive or simply neutral, as in: Es un valle fértil. It is a fertile valley (fertile as opposed to barren or dry). or affective, as in: Es un fértil valle. It is a fertile valley (with the adjective no longer contrasting with its opposite, and functioning as a block with the noun it qualifies). (c) The type of adjective, which with some adjectives is essentially distinctive, and therefore is used always after the noun. Among them we find adjectives indicating nationality and place of origin, shape, substance, purpose, etc.: un avión británico ‘a British aeroplane’ una señora catalana ‘a Catalan lady’ un caja cuadrada ‘a square box’ un cuchara plástica ‘a plastic spoon’ una calle peatonal‘a pedestrian street’ Adjectives indicating colour normally follow the noun: un vestido negro ‘a black dress’ But note: la blanca montaña ‘the white mountain’ (with the adjective acquiring a subjective and affective overtone) (d) Style and regional differences, both beyond the scope of this book, but suffice it to say that there is a tendency in some areas of the Spanish-speaking world towards an increased use of the adjective in a preceding position with respect to the noun. 36.1.3 Other ways of describing people, places and things Ser is not the only verb used in descriptive language. In fact, we can use a number of constructions involving other verbs, where the aim may go beyond that of simple description. Consider for instance: Desde la distancia pudo observar la figura alta y erguida de Isabel. From the distance he/she was able to observe the tall and upright figure of Isabel. A verb frequently used when describing the attributes possessed by a person, a place or a thing is tener, ‘to have’, found in sentences like the following: Ana tiene ojos azules. Ana has blue eyes
Posted on: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 14:50:33 +0000
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