Can this be interpreted differently?

Question

Didn't your parents teach you respect? vs Haven't your parents taught you respect?

Clive · Accepted Answer

Yes.

#2 suggests you are showing no respect at the present time.

#1 may mean that, or it may simply focus on the past (eg 50 years ago).

Clive

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks for the reply. Someone says that both sentences imply that the parents have done a lousy job. I dont comprehend how so. To me, the sentences indicate that the parents have taught respect and that the use of 'didn't' and haven't simply reminds the person of that. Am confused.

Ah, I see what you mean. Here's a simple example.

Clive · Answer

Thanks for the reply. Someone says that both sentences imply that the parents have done a lousy job. I dont comprehend how so. To me, the sentences indicate that the parents have taught respect and that the use of 'didn't' and haven't simply reminds the person of that. Am confused.

Ah, I see what you mean. Here's a simple example.
eg Mary does very, very well on a test. Her friend says to her, 'Didn't you do well on the test!', meaning 'You did very well on the test!'
Here are a few comments.
The context has to show the listener that this is the intended meaning, because it is much less common than the other meaning.
It's a rather arch, and sometimes even patronizing, way of speaking. Your example about 'your parents' makes me think of an adult speaking to a child.
In my opinion, in Western culture one is unlikely to speak of 'respect' in this way, particularly to a child. The word 'politeness' is much more common.

Clive

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks, Clive.

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