Why do we say l'emblématique fondue, and not la fondue emblématique

stephen n.C1Kwiziq community member

Why do we say l'emblématique fondue, and not la fondue emblématique

Asked 4 years ago
CélineNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Bonjour Stephen,

In French, there is indeed a list of adjectives that can be placed before or after nouns. As a result, their meaning change.

After the noun: literal / objective meaning - Before the noun: subjective / figurative meaning

Having looked at the content of the writing exercise, it is the correct way of placing the adjective here. It is also a stylistic choice in keeping with the other expressions from the text.

l’emblématique fondue = la fameuse fondue / la célèbre fondue

I hope this is helpful.

Bonne journée!

Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

movable-adjectives/

Possibly on the basis that this is a figurative/subjective use

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

If you consider an adjective to be tightly associated with the noun, to the point of almost being a part of the noun itself, then it moves in front of the noun. I don't know the context of the phrase you inquire about, but maybe it's a case of this?

J'ai vu pauvre Marie devant chez elle. -- I saw poor Marie in front of her house.

Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Pauvre changes meaning before/after verb (wretched,miserable/poor,of limited means - don't think that applies to moving emblématique. As far as I can determine correct (traditional) grammar  would be «la fondue emblématique», and I can't find an explanation at present why that would not be correct. Perhaps it is used differently in Switzerland however.  The only source that I have found at this stage that uses l'emblématique NOUN (noun = Tefal) - is a Tefal advertising brochure, not exactly guaranteed correct grammar.

stephen n. asked:

Why do we say l'emblématique fondue, and not la fondue emblématique

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