adjectives - What does "small small" mean in Indian English?


There is a type of 'double adjective' expression in colloquial (mainly spoken) Indian English, which is a reflection of usage in many (Indian) subcontinental languages, example: "small small".


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For instance,



"... ... That was so much beautiful, I can't tell. There were big big mountains, and there were small small houses in the foothills of them. ... ...".



My guess is that this is merely used to express a plural form, as in (converted to Standard English). It's more like "a collection of big mountains".



"... ... That was so beautiful, I can't tell you how much. There were some big mountains, and there were many small houses in their foothills."



Am I right?


Other examples of doubling of adjectives as in 'small small':



The playground was full of little little children playing.


If you have any sense, you will listen to old old people!


Big big people will do big big things. Small small people shouldn't imitate them.



In short, what does this type of double adjective as used in colloquial Indian English really mean, and how would you express the same in standard English?




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