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Taka Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Hint

Physical intimacy is given a high value in Japan, where interpersonal physical closeness has long lacked the hint of shame or taboo which characterizes some Western views, and has been practiced more as a matter of course.

Question#1: What does 'which' in bold refer to? 'The hint of shame or taboo' or 'shame or taboo'?

Question#2: What does the 'hint' really mean here?
  

Top answer

Hi, Physical intimacy is given a high value in Japan, where interpersonal physical closeness has long lacked t he hint of shame or taboo which characterizes some Western views, and has been practiced more as a matter of course. Question#1: What does 'which' in bold refer to? 'The hint of shame or taboo' or 'shame or taboo'?

— Clive

  • Hi, Physical intimacy is given a high value in Japan, where interpersonal physical closeness has long lacked t he hint of shame or taboo which characterizes some Western views, and has been practiced more as a matter of course.
  • Question#1: What does 'which' in bold refer to?
  • 'The hint of shame or taboo' or 'shame or taboo'?
  • The hint .
  • .
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9 Answers
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Hi,

Physical intimacy is given a high value in Japan, where interpersonal physical closeness has long lacked the hint of shame or taboo which characterizes some Western views, and has been practiced more as a matter of course.

Question#1: What does 'which' in bold refer to? 'The hint of shame or taboo' or 'shame or t
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Good. Just as I thought. Thanks, Clive!
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Just out of curiosity, Clive.

Does 'There was a hint of autumn' make sense as 'I felt autumn coming'?
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Hi,

Yes.

We often say eg 'There was a hint of autumn in the air'.

Clive
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In order to make sense, is that 'in the air' necessary?
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Hi,

No. I just meant it ws a fairly common phrase.

It does add some specificity. eg

There was a hint of autumn.

There was a hint of autumn in the air.

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CliveHi,

It does add some specificity. eg
There was a hint of autumn.
There was a hint of autumn in the air.
There was a hint of autumn in the colour of the leaves.
There was a hint of autumn in her eyes.

Clive
Or maybe 'There was a hint of autumn everywhere/here and there.' Good.

Final question. Why do you think the
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Hi,

Final question. Why do you think the article of the sentence in question is 'the', not 'a'?

''The' indicates the writer expects the reader already to be aware of this hint of shame or taboo which characterizes some Western views . . .

Clive
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OK. Thanks, Clive!
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