Language question

BlueMak · Oct 14, 2007, 05:48 AM

-Are you sure you didn't say anything?
-No, I didn't.

Why does the above mean that the second person didn't say anything?
Shouldn't the correct reply be "Yes" or "Yes, I didn't" ?

I have encountered this in both english and greek languages and it still doesn't make sense to me.

Wouldn't the "no" mean that she didn't or that she is not sure?
By saying both "no" and "I didn't" doesn't it make it sound wrong to you? Am I the only person that has a problem with this?
This is not the only example of course, and so far I am the only one that I know of that has this "problem".

Input?

Dyre Straits · Oct 14, 2007, 05:52 AM

Frankly, when I've been asked this question, my reply is:

"Yes, I'm sure."

The answer as given in the example is a common one but that doesn't make it 'right'.

It's like saying, "I could care less" when what is actually correct - and is meant - is, "I couldn't care less."

PangingJr · Oct 14, 2007, 06:33 AM

IT'S SO HARD TO UNDERSTAND ENGLISH

what is your first choice of an answer to people who were not ashamed to say Thank you to you?

You're welcome
No problem
Don't mention it
No worries
Any time

and what is your answer to people who says <sarcasm> Thank you </sarcasm> to you?

Dyre Straits · Oct 14, 2007, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PangingJr

IT'S SO HARD TO UNDERSTAND ENGLISH

what is your first choice of an answer to people who were not ashamed to say Thank you to you?

You're welcome
No problem
Don't mention it
No worries
Any time

and what is your answer to people who says <sarcasm> Thank you </sarcasm> to you?

I was taught to always...always...ALWAYS, say "You're welcome" when someone says, "Thank you" to me. It bugs me no end when someone says to me, "No Problem" when I say, "Thank you" to them. The others are annoying as well, but "NP" just gets under my skin real fast.

PangingJr · Oct 14, 2007, 06:54 AM

but "NP" just gets under my skin real fast.

why?

Falstaff · Oct 14, 2007, 07:18 AM

I grew up overseas and frankly I cant say that one particuler way of saying something is either right or wrong, it remains to be seen whether its use and context is correct. My God, with all our dialects in the U.S. and Ebonics so pervasive, who can say. I am still trying to understand Blokespeak. I suggest you get a grammer book if you want to win this argument with someone..LOL

PangingJr · Oct 14, 2007, 07:22 AM

what is Blokespeak?

BlueMak · Oct 14, 2007, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PangingJr

IT'S SO HARD TO UNDERSTAND ENGLISH

what is your first choice of an answer to people who were not ashamed to say Thank you to you?

You're welcome
No problem
Don't mention it
No worries
Any time

and what is your answer to people who says <sarcasm> Thank you </sarcasm> to you?

You're Welcome to the first.

To the second I usually say "My pleasure" or "Any time".

BlueMak · Oct 14, 2007, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dyre Straits

Frankly, when I've been asked this question, my reply is:

"Yes, I'm sure."

The answer as given in the example is a common one but that doesn't make it 'right'.

I am glad I am not the only one then.

The problem with it though is that most people get confused with that reply and I have to explain to them what I meant... Or they will look lost for a few seconds and I can almost see a "WTF?" floating over their heads.