My reading would be that the question in English is an implied criticism which is inviting the answer 'Oh, alright then, I will empty it...'. The 'No' is a denial of that implicit request. The question in Japanese is then taken at face value, and given a strictly logical response.
i've never understood why anyone would be willing to teach junior high. i still remember what i was like back then (stealing teachers keys, etc.), and i was one of the good students. yikes.
CEO - yes, I can imagine this is a stressful job as you line up for a 4 foot putt on a weekday afternoon, wondering if your stock options are enough for a new sailboat or if your need to pad the creative accounting some more to justify your 6 figure salary...
no subject
on 2004-05-17 08:03 am (UTC)no subject
on 2004-05-17 08:41 am (UTC)English speaker:
A: You're not going to empty the garbage?
B: No, I'm not going to empty the garbage.
Japanese speaker:
A: You're not going to empty the garbage?
B: Yes, I'm not going to empty the garbage.
I think English speakers use Y and N to confirm whereas Japanese speakers use it to agree. Does that make sense?
no subject
on 2004-05-17 10:57 am (UTC)no subject
on 2004-05-18 01:32 am (UTC)no subject
on 2004-05-17 11:04 am (UTC)no subject
on 2004-05-17 12:44 pm (UTC)no subject
on 2004-05-17 05:38 pm (UTC)let me at Special Education Teacher to that list though... :)
what subject do you teach, anyway?
no subject
on 2004-05-17 08:49 pm (UTC)