Borrowing points made to me in an exchange on a related topic,

That we can analyse language "out of context" is a given. But then it
becomes pure hermeneutics -- or purely formalistic. We can give a formal,
grammatical description of any utterance. But then we might as well use
latinate grammar, or any sort of grammar.

This is from a course introduction:

Instance: "The red is sweet, but the white is dry".
Q: What are we talking about?
Q: How do you know?
Q: Have you ever heard anyone actually say this before?

--------------------------------------

Q: In latinate grammar, "red" and "white" are *always* adjectival. What is
their function here?

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