Answers
Jul 12, 2017 - 06:00 PM
Here's an article that addresses your question: https://www.thoughtco.com/demonstrati...
Jul 12, 2017 - 09:07 PM
Much appreciated, DennisG :-)
However, respectfully speaking, I still don't see how any explanation from that article addresses this example. I am familiar with the contents of the article, as my Spanish 1 teacher in community college did a great job of distinguishing these items. I took the course almost a year ago, right before I started Fluenz.
While the article gives a great overview, it doesn't address the specific issue. In the example I gave, Sonia is referring to THESE candies right in front of the person. To me, that is SPECIFIC.
The use of "estos" is supposed to be for something non-specific. I would have just blown it off, but since she made a point in the video, I'm now perplexed.
From the article link you posted, this is the entire discussion about estos posted below...
"Using the neuter pronouns
The neuter pronouns are never used to substitute for a specific noun. They are used to refer to an unknown object or to an idea or concept that isn't specifically named. (If you would have occasion to use a neuter plural, use the plural masculine form.) The use of eso is extremely common to refer to a situation that has just been stated.
Examples:
¿Qué es esto? What is this [unknown object]?
Esto es bueno. This [referring to a situation rather than a specific object] is good."
However, respectfully speaking, I still don't see how any explanation from that article addresses this example. I am familiar with the contents of the article, as my Spanish 1 teacher in community college did a great job of distinguishing these items. I took the course almost a year ago, right before I started Fluenz.
While the article gives a great overview, it doesn't address the specific issue. In the example I gave, Sonia is referring to THESE candies right in front of the person. To me, that is SPECIFIC.
The use of "estos" is supposed to be for something non-specific. I would have just blown it off, but since she made a point in the video, I'm now perplexed.
From the article link you posted, this is the entire discussion about estos posted below...
"Using the neuter pronouns
The neuter pronouns are never used to substitute for a specific noun. They are used to refer to an unknown object or to an idea or concept that isn't specifically named. (If you would have occasion to use a neuter plural, use the plural masculine form.) The use of eso is extremely common to refer to a situation that has just been stated.
Examples:
¿Qué es esto? What is this [unknown object]?
Esto es bueno. This [referring to a situation rather than a specific object] is good."
Jul 13, 2017 - 11:20 AM
Todd. What you are seeing in the sentence of your original post about the candies is not really esto (the gender neutral pronoun). It is the plural of este which is estos, because there is more than one candy. Her point is that the plural of este is estos not estes as logic might suggest. The explanation of esto as a gender neutral pronoun comes in a latter lesson at a higher level (so you are getting ahead of the program). I think I have that right? Sonia?
Jul 13, 2017 - 01:25 PM
Hi Todd, the lesson you are looking for is Spanish 2 Lesson 1.
