Don't you do it?

Question

When I learnt English as a second language in my much younger days, I was taught to say "No, I don't" in response when I agreed with the question. However, most people I meet these days always say "Yes, I don't" to affirm. Sometimes, they would simply say "yes", then I would not be sure and ask for clarification. Some people would be irritated when I do that.

I wonder if it is a difference of usage between British English and American.English or even Australian English.

Shawn79 · Accepted Answer

You're correct from my point of view.

Don't you have class today?

No, I don't. or Yes, I do.

Healer · Answer

Thanks!  Have you heard responses in the other way?

Shawn79 · Answer

The only time I've encountered this is with Indian "English". But it's not correct in American English

Can you provide any examples?

Healer · Answer

Well, I started learning English as a second language when I was doing primary three or four.  I have been living in this English speaking country for thirty-odd years having done my tertiary education here.  One of my children, I don't notice the other, who was born and bred here, was excellent in English language in schools all the time and is a solicitor who speaks only English, always answers me in the "wrong" way.  There are too many examples if I want to quote.  When I ask something like "didn't you say that or didn't you do that?", she always responds in the way I suppose not an educated way.

Raindoctor · Answer

Healers, sounds like you are in UK or Australia, since your daughter is a solicitor. Ask your daughter to clarify your doubts. Syntactically, you are correct in questions like "didn't you say/do that". Prohibitives have no 'you': don't do it, don't dare to do that (modal); dont you dare do that (here, you is permitted).

It could be an issue of intonation, or not using assimilations like didju, dinchu, dontchu, etc

Healer · Answer

She only says "yes" or "no" and hence I need clarification every time. What I am concerned here is not doubt but the proper language usage which could enhance clarity of expression if done properly. Probably, this is more or less an issue of usage of idioms rather than grammar. Perhaps this is a let-down of the education system here. Being a professional or a highly educated person should be able to express herself or himself with minimal confusion.

Again I can hear newscasters or radio broadcasters here sometimes do not pronounce certain worda properly, such "pronunciation" and "pronounce" where their second syllables are different. So I suppose I can't expect too much.

Here in Australia, no grammar was taught during my children's time. Unlike our time when I learnt English as a second language back home. Perhaps because they learn it as the first language. I understand grammar was still taught in UK during her time. I don't know about it now.

Sometimes it is debatable, a lot of languages when taught as a first language, no grammar is taught.
here

Shawn79 · Answer

If someone asked me "didn't you go to school?" I might reply with just a "yes" but it would always mean "yes, I did" never "yes, I didn't."

Healer · Answer

Hi, when you said you had heard that with Indian English, did you mean English spoken by Indian people from India or did you refer to that spoken by the native Red Indian in America?

Shawn79 · Answer

I meant English spoken by people from India. I work in IT and encounter Indians often. And a good friend of mine from India was my roommate for over a year. I've had some exposure to the interesting differences of Indian English.

"Yes, I didn't" is classic Indian speech. There's some logic to it, "yes, I'm agreeing with you, I didn't do it."

Just fyi, the English of American Indians (or Native Americans) is not noticeably different than other Americans.

Healer · Answer

On second thoughts perhaps I got tricked and I misunderstood because my daughter always said "yes" or "no" only when I asked questions in this format.  I always guessed what she meant and when I asked for clarification the responses were often vague.  Sometimes she often liked to challenge me.  Well, she has grown up and she wants her privacy.

Don't you do it?

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