It's the old ser vs estar once again

Question

Okay, here I am wearing a very tight suit. I say: "Este traje es muy limitado." This suit is very limiting (movement-wise).

"Mi español está muy limitado." My Spanish is very limited.

Right? (Oh, I'm dreading the answer...)

Answer 1

I think that you could justify either construction.

Okay, here I am wearing a very tight suit.

In this sentence you are using very tight as a classification to differentiate it from a loose fitting or a properly fitting suit.

Este traje es un traje muy limitado. (C I D)

But in the sentence «Este traje está muy limitado» this sound more like a description of a situation or condition.

Mi español está muy limitado. (limitado being an adjective to describe a condition).

Mi español es muy limitado [por mi memoria mala.] Recognize the traditional passive voice structure? Ser+pp+por+agente

Wow... this opens a whole new avenue of thought. Thank you very much! - NickDan, May 27, 2011