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.
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)