You mean...No!

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paco2004

#68096 Mon, 17 Jan 05 01:25 AM

Conversation in a movie:
Speaker A :"You mean you don't like to go to school?”
Speaker B:"No!"

What does this "No!" mean?
Does it mean Speaker B doesn't like to go to school?

paco2004

Joined on Wed, Nov 17 2004

Senior Member (4,095)

In Japan today even dogs are learning how to bow-wow in English.

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victorycountry

#68102 Mon, 17 Jan 05 01:56 AM

Yes, you are right, it means that Speaker B doesn't like to go to school.

Say "yes" to reflect the positive, "no" to reflect the negative answer of the primary verb.

Speaker A: "You mean you don't like to go to school?"
Speaker B: "Yes!(, I do like to go to school)"
or
Speaker B:"No!(, I don't like to go to school)"

victorycountry

Joined on Sat, Oct 16 2004

Full Member (296)

Verbs, Negatives

CalifJim

#68104 Mon, 17 Jan 05 02:05 AM

It's ambiguous in writing. We need to know what stress pattern was used when "No" was said.

A falling intonation would normally indicate "No, I don't like to go to school".
A rising intonation would normally indicate "No, I don't mean that" or "No, that's not what I mean".

Intonation is not a foolproof indicator, however, so if you yourself are the speaker, I'd recommend you not use such a terse reply to such questions!

CJ

CalifJim

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004

California

Veteran Member (18,311)

"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

Intonations

paco2004

#68109 Mon, 17 Jan 05 02:27 AM

Hello VC and CJ

Thanks for the quick replies. My trouble comes from the phrase the positive "you mean". Now I feel you would take it as some kind of short tug like "maybe" or so. How about the case where the convesation goes like this:
Speaker A:"Do you mean you don't like to go to school?"
Speaker B:"No!"
I think in this case Speaker B is definitely saying "No I don't mean that". Am I right?

paco

paco2004

CalifJim

#68112 Mon, 17 Jan 05 03:22 AM

I think you're right, Paco.

CalifJim

paco2004

#68114 Mon, 17 Jan 05 03:30 AM

Thanks for the confirmation, CJ.

paco

paco2004