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positive

English translation: deep yellow color

21:13 Nov 2, 2009

English to English translations [Non-PRO]
Poetry & Literature

English term or phrase: positive

the thick willow scrub flamed with sharp positive yellow leaves

what do you understand by positive?
many thanks

Lakasa Stnorden KudoZ activity Questions: 934 (4 open) (1 without valid answers) (8 closed without grading) Answers: 253 Argentina
Local time: 14:13

English translation:deep yellow color

Explanation:
I once learned from an interview with a G-Shock designer that the deep yellow color is called "Positive Yellow".
http://50-gs.blogspot.com/2009/08/34-sunshine-and-happiness....

there is a picture of the color at this link too

Selected response from:

Maria Fokin
Italy
Local time: 18:13

Grading comment

many thanks to all of you
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

3 +4

deep yellow color

Maria Fokin

3 +1

as in "positive note(s) of colour"

Dylan Edwards

2 +2

positively yellow?

jccantrell

Discussion entries: 3

Answers

9 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +2

positively yellow?

Explanation:
Odd English, but I would understand it to mean that the leaves were not reddish or orange or any other color but yellow, so maybe pure yellow?

Just above a guess.

jccantrell
United States
Local time: 09:13
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 36

14 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +4

deep yellow color

Maria Fokin
Italy
Local time: 18:13
Works in field
Native speaker of:

English,

Russian
PRO pts in category: 12

Grading comment

many thanks to all of you

13 hrs confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

as in "positive note(s) of colour"

Explanation:
Without wanting to be dogmatic about it, because the writer is using words in a very subjective way, and these are my subjective impressions, I'd say that this is a rather "painterly" use of the word "positive".

A few splashes of bright colour, in otherwise grey surroundings, can "heighten" the whole picture, i.e. bring it alive.

An artist might talk about "positive notes of colour". These could be reds or yellows that stand out because of their brightness. In these examples, they happen to be greens:

and the grave color scheme contains no more positive note of color than the greenish blue of the painter s collar turned down over his black velvet coat ...
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res...

In the valley the bright green of the sugar-cane is a positive note of colour, but beyond, the bald mountains are all haze and flowing purple. ...
http://www.archive.org/stream/.../mexicantrailsrec00kirk_djv...

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Note added at 13 hrs (2009-11-03 10:32:26 GMT)
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I couldn't resist looking for the source of these words: a story by Steinbeck.

There is also, of course, the emotional aspect: the bright yellow, in the midst of winter, may be seen as a reminder of the vitality that was there, and that will come back.

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Note added at 15 hrs (2009-11-03 13:10:01 GMT)
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... a cheerless landscape, when suddenly she saw something — a blessed splotch of positive colour — which made her heart stand still and then as madly leap. ...
http://www.archive.org/stream/.../robinbrilliant00dudegoog_d...

He has a gentleman's dread of overstatement, and his oil painting, mostly executed in grays and blacks with a single flash of positive colour, are marvels ...
http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/old-masters/gerard-terborch....

- Note the use of "positive" where a contrast with the surroundings is being emphasised.

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Note added at 16 hrs (2009-11-03 14:05:06 GMT)
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Lastly, I'd say that the adjectives "sharp" and "positive" reinforce each other. They are yellow leaves, and what's more they are "sharp and positive yellow leaves". "Sharp" can be understood in the sense of "sharply defined". The two adjectives together indicate that the leaves stand out from their surroundings.

Dylan Edwards
United Kingdom
Local time: 17:13
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 12