Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Language/2014 September 4

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September 4

big versus large, meaning and connotation

We recently had a question whether every pair of synonyms had at least some difference.

I have been asked by a native Spanish speaker whether big and large differ. They seem to be exact cognates down to connotation. I suggested the etymology (the source) was the only real difference, with "big" being of unclear origins.

Any helpful sources or comments?

The pair small and little (I know one is Norse, the other has Slavic cognates) are of similar interest. Both pairs seem identical in meaning and connotation so as I'm concerned. μηδείς (talk) 03:31, 4 September 2014 (UTC)

"Big" typically fits better with intangible things of great magnitude, like moments, names or opportunities. "Large" more conveys physical bigness. A brave kid can be a "big man", but it'd be weird calling him large. InedibleHulk (talk) 03:43, 4 September 2014 (UTC)

That link was partly included because it also contains "smile upon" (from above), and the execution of Terrance and Phillip was a "big event". InedibleHulk (talk) 03:49, 4 September 2014 (UTC)

"Twenty large" is an amount of money; "*twenty big" is not. --Trovatore (talk) 03:46, 4 September 2014 (UTC)

"Large" is more literal. "Big" is more figurative. Bus stop (talk) 04:03, 4 September 2014 (UTC)

Large money. InedibleHulk (talk) 04:12, 4 September 2014 (UTC)

Almost every "big" expression I can think of fails with "large". A Large Bang would have been nowehere near big enough. And Spinal Tap would have got nowhere with "Large Bottom".--Shantavira|^{feed me} 08:25, 4 September 2014 (UTC)

The distinction is very important to Lyle Lovett. —Aɴɢʀ (talk) 15:56, 4 September 2014 (UTC)

The Heritage Illustrated Dictionary of the English Language (see The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language) has the following information at the entry "large".

• Synonyms: large, big, great. These adjectives are applied to what is notably above the average of its kind in size, degree, or the like. Large and big are interchangeable in many contexts. However, large is more often found in references to physical dimensions, quantity, and capacity: a large building; a large estate; a large sum; a large glass. Big is especially applicable to physical bulk or mass, volume of sound, and figurative magnitude: big ears; a big noise; a big heart; big problems. Great implies impressiveness or distinctiveness in references involving physical size: a great ocean liner. Often the term is used figuratively to express degree: great sorrow.

I recommend this dictionary for other questions like this one.

—Wavelength (talk) 17:21, 4 September 2014 (UTC)

• Thanks all, especially for the dictionary recommendation. One difference did occur to me: clothing stores for great people in the US at least are aimed at big and tall for men and large and plus for women. μηδείς (talk) 18:02, 4 September 2014 (UTC)

The distinction is being made between figuratively oversized and literally oversized. In this case the customer may be reluctant or enthusiastic about accepting the designation of being oversized. Women are more reluctant and men are more enthusiastic about considering themselves oversized. A figurative term of reference places no limits, interpretively. A literal term of reference may not be wanted but is more acceptable due to its implied limitation. "Big" suggests being figuratively oversized. "Large" suggests of being literally oversized. Bus stop (talk) 19:39, 4 September 2014 (UTC)

Note also that (and somewhat related to what Wavelength and others have said) a big man may mean an important or powerful man rather than referring to the man's physical size, e.g. Big man (anthropology) or the question "does it make you feel like a big man" or similar. A large man will nearly always refer to the physical size. Nil Einne (talk) 21:02, 8 September 2014 (UTC)

"Large" has a more formal tone than "big" as well. I wouldn't write that the RMS Titanic was a "big ship" in an an essay; I'd call it a "large ship" instead. "Big" is also more common in slang - "large head" means something different than "big head". --NellieBly (talk) 19:20, 5 September 2014 (UTC)

Large Marge and Pee-Wee Herman on one end, Lil' Kim and Biggie Smalls on the other. I can't explain what I mean, literally, but the connotations may be useful. InedibleHulk (talk) 06:03, 7 September 2014 (UTC)

Legal text in Spanish

The following statement is an excerpt from a legal document from Argentina, and the context has been removed for the sake of confidentiality.

• Éste documento acredita que el certificado emitido lo es con excepción al artículo 51 del Código Penal, a solicitud del propio interesado.

I have tentatively produced the following English translation, but I am especially confused by the expression "lo es" ("is it", "is that", "is such"), being uncertain of the antecedent to which the pronoun "lo" refers.

• This document confirms that the issued certificate is such with the exception of article 51 of the Penal Code, upon request by the interested party himself/herself.

My Google search for the statement has found the following page, which indicates that others have been puzzled by this statement.

• http://www.proz.com/kudoz/spanish_to_english/law_general/3208210-el_certificado_emitido_lo_es_con_excepción_al_art%C3%ADculo_51_del_código_penal.html

Is my translation adequate, or should it be revised?
—Wavelength (talk) 16:34, 4 September 2014 (UTC)

• The "lo es" refers to issued; it means "is done so": This document confirms that the certificate issued was done so without regard to (or "in exception of"--I'd have to see the wider context) article 51 of the Penal Code upon request of the interested party. This should be taken as an attempt at translation of an historical document, and not legal advice! μηδείς (talk) 17:55, 4 September 2014 (UTC)

I've had another native Spanish translator confirm that the lo es fits my interpretation; it could even be "that is, except for article 51" but would require commas in English. It's apparently archaic and poorly punctuated. μηδείς (talk) 20:31, 4 September 2014 (UTC)

The Penal Code is at http://www.infoleg.gov.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/15000-19999/16546/texact.htm
and article 51 is at http://www.infoleg.gov.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/15000-19999/16546/texact.htm#9.
I hope to study it later this week, when I have more time.
—Wavelength (talk) 03:04, 5 September 2014 (UTC)