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-A versus -Anta

by EldanarLambetur, September 2, 2012

Messages: 8

Language: English

EldanarLambetur (User's profile) September 2, 2012, 1:54:37 PM

I have this sentence, where I'm looking for the esperanto word for the english one in square brackets.

En la nordo de Brilurbo, la larĝaj vojoj subite ŝanĝiĝis en [sprawling] vojetojn kaj stratetojn firme pakitajn per multaj butikoj.

I'm looking at the word "dissterniĝi"

My question is, can I just use "dissterniĝa" or do I have to use the slightly ungainly "dissterniĝanta" (of course both will need plural and accusative endings).

The PMEG seems to suggest that the 'a' ending on a action word can mean "relating to the action", or be similar to the "ant/int" participles. And even similar to the "ata/ita" participles. Which would seem to suggest that "dissterniĝa" is okay, maybe even "dissterna" in this case, or not??

erinja (User's profile) September 2, 2012, 2:13:50 PM

What's wrong with "dissternitaj"? Presumably it was someone who caused them to sprawl (the builders of the roads), so in my opinion, a passive voice and lack of -iĝ- works perfectly.

EldanarLambetur (User's profile) September 2, 2012, 2:44:29 PM

Thanks! That's a good point. Though, I suppose I should have mentioned, that I was going for the subtle impression that the roads kinda have their own mind, that no one really made them go anywhere, they just seem to writhe through the city (creative writing rather than a formal description of the town).

Does it just look like an error though? Should I express this impression in some other way?

Rugxdoma (User's profile) September 2, 2012, 3:01:48 PM

EldanarLambetur:I was going for the subtle impression that the roads kinda have their own mind, that no one really made them go anywhere, they just seem to writhe through the city (creative writing rather than a formal description of the town).

Does it just look like an error though? Should I express this impression in some other way?
Perhaps "dissternintaj" then?

EldanarLambetur (User's profile) September 2, 2012, 3:03:44 PM

Rugxdoma:
Perhaps "dissternintaj" then?
Wouldn't that suggest that the roads sprawled something else? Rather than became sprawled of their own volition?

Rugxdoma (User's profile) September 2, 2012, 3:46:40 PM

EldanarLambetur:
Rugxdoma:
Perhaps "dissternintaj" then?
Wouldn't that suggest that the roads sprawled something else? Rather than became sprawled of their own volition?
I think the phrase is intuitivly clear. Perhaps one could cite the principle of neceso kaj sufiĉo" if somebody starts complaining... http://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neceso_kaj_sufi%C4%89...

sudanglo (User's profile) September 2, 2012, 6:19:09 PM

This doesn't directly address the point you raise, Eldanar, but I would be tempted not to use 'stern' to try and express the meaning of 'sprawling here.

la larĝaj vojoj subite disvastiĝis en reto(n) de vojetoj kaj stratetoj, abunde flankitaj de butikoj.

I assume that the streets were not literally pakitaj per butikoj.

RiotNrrd (User's profile) September 2, 2012, 9:21:58 PM

I like sudanglo's wording. I think it expresses the meaning well, while at the same time remaining clear.

My only suggestion for improvement is with the word "reto", which, by itself, I think implies an organization more structured than is what is desired.

The idea of a tangle occured to me, and the Lernu vortaro suggests "kaoso". So I would suggest, perhaps, "kaosa reto"; a tangled network.

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