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From: mrz5149@rit.cs.rit.edu (M. R. Zucca)
Subject: Re: Yes, No and Logic
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Date: Thu, 12 Oct 1995 01:54:31 GMT
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In article <2081030142.34408148@inform-bbs.dk>, OSA@inform-bbs.dk wrote:

> What is not so obvious to me is why some participants in this thread consider
> one to be more 'logical' resp 'odd' than the other. Would they please explain
> HOW they reach their verdict?

As far as being logical goes, answering No (FALSE) when you really mean
Yes (TRUE) is just plain strange. That much should be plain.

From a more practical stand point, it is confusing if you are really seeking
information and not just asking for confirmation.

Not only that, but sometimes answering Yes when you really mean yes can be
almost as confusing but sometimes it is perfectly natural.

That's bad isn't it?   - Yes = Yes
That's not good is it? - No = Yes or sometimes Yeah = Yes or even Yes = Yes

Ex:
It's not good is it? Yes, these are awful!
It's not good is it? Yeah, it's pretty bad.
It's not good is it? No, they're not.
 
Actually the above seems to indicate something important. If strong
affirmation is required then the answerer makes it entirely clear to the
inquirer what his/her intentions are. The less important the answer is to
the answerer and/or the inquirer the closer the response gets to "no".
This doesn't work for all situations but it brings up an interesting point.

BTW, as a native speaker, I may call my language "odd" as often as I like :)

-- 
______________________________________________________________________________
 Michael Zucca <> mrz5149@rit.cs.rit.edu <> Rochester Institute Of Technology
     "If the speed of light is not infinite, then it's awful damned fast."
                                  - Galileo -
