Certain questions in English are answered with interference from the rules and norms of the languages of users of English as a second language. It is important to know and give the standard responses to questions for mutual intelligibility. Three of such are discussed in this lecture.
1. In English, the positive marker ‘yes’ cannot go with a negative response although this happens in Yoruba and other languages, e.g., Are you not eating? No, I’m not eating.
To this kind of question, you often hear second language users say: Yes, I’m not eating. This will in Yoruba read as: Beeni, mo jeun, which is not allowed in English.
2. To the question, Do you mind a cup of tea? The response to give if you want is, No, I don’t mind and the response to give if you don’t want is Yes, I mind.
Do you mind should not be interpreted as do you want?
3. The response to the courtesy greeting/question, How do you do?, is, How do you do too?
It is not worth arguing that this does not make sense. Every language has its norms which inform the usage and rules of certain expressions.
Effective communication is key!
Have a great week ahead!
1 Comment
Thanks