LL-L "Semantics" 2003.04.14 (05) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

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 L O W L A N D S - L * 14.APR.2003 (05) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
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From: luc.hellinckx at pandora.be <luc.hellinckx at pandora.be>
Subject: Syntax

Beste liëglanners,

Something slightly related to double negations is the following.
When I am asking a Chinese speaker (in English) : "I hope you won't blame me
for
this?", usually he will answer : "Yes", which means "I confirm that I won't
blame you
for this". Native English speakers might rather say : "No, no", meaning "Do
not worry,
I will not blame you". I think most European languages share this kind of
response,
but strictly speaking I find the Asian answer to be more logical (but more
"mechanical" as well). The number of negations plays no role in the English
answer
either of course : "No, no" doesn't make a "Yes" *s*.
In my opinion a second (or third) negation is merely used in order to
emphasize the
first negation.
Tough nut to crack for those who must develop translation software, I guess
*s*.
Greetings,

Luc Hellinckx

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