Will you nod or shake your head in this case?

Question

Hi,Suppose Jonh is a big authority in physics (e.g.,  has a PHD in physics or something :-)Imagine the following dialog (between two acquaintances of John's):Person A: John is not very good at physics, is he?Person B: Yes, he is!!!Now, to my question.Would Person B nod or shake his/her head when answering person A's question? :-)mus-te

Clive · Accepted Answer

<span style="color:#0000ff;">Neither.</span>

MUSCOVITE · Answer

CliveNeither.

OK, let's slightly change the "scene"

Suppose person B (who can hear Person A's question perfectly well :-) still (for some reason ... a very bad sore throat or something) cannot answer this question "verbally"...the only way for person B to answer is either to nod or shake his head.
Person B's possible reaction?

Clive · Answer

Person B would not know which way to move his head.
And if B did, A would not clearly understand what either movement meant.

The question needs to be simple and positive for a nod or shake to work.
eg Is he good at physics?

MUSCOVITE · Answer

Thanks for the perfect explanation Clive! <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/102.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/102.gif' alt='Emotion: shake hands'/>

CalifJim · Answer

MUSCOVITEWould Person B nod or shake his/her head

I assume by "nod" you mean a vertical motion up and down, and by "shake" you mean a horizontal motion left to right. In that case, nods are for yeses and shakes are for nos.

That said, the situation in your dialog is problematic because it involves a yes which is the contradiction of a negative claim. I don't think that either a nod or a shake is appropriate in such cases. Maybe a "thrust" — suddenly moving the head forward toward the listener and opening the eyes wide in disbelief.

CJ

MUSCOVITE · Answer

CalifJimI assume by "nod" you mean a vertical motion up and down, and by "shake" you mean a horizontal motion left to right.

Isn't is the only possible interpretation of "to nod" and "to shake one's head"?

CalifJim In that case, nods are for yeses and shakes are for nos.

It is NOT a "universal" rule afaik. Bulgarians, for example, shake their heads when agree with you and nod when they don't :-)

CalifJimMaybe a "thrust" — suddenly moving the head forward toward the listener and opening the eyes wide in disbelief.

It sounds a little "theatrical" (for lack of a better term). Anyway, it would be much better than using strong language, which is common practice (among males at least) in my poor country :-)

CalifJim · Answer

MUSCOVITEIsn't is the only possible interpretation of "to nod" and "to shake one's head"?

I don't know. I always get them confused. Maybe it's just me.

It seems to me that I've read fiction in which a character "shook his head yes" and "shook his head no".

MUSCOVITEIt is NOT a "universal" rule afaik. Bulgarians, for example, shake their heads when agree with you and nod when they don't :-)

I didn't mean to imply that it was. I meant in the English-speaking world. Apparently even the words can get confusing. In Czech I'm told "ah no" means "yes".

MUSCOVITEin my poor country

I'm sorry to hear you live in a poor country. I live in a rich country, but I'm poor anyway! I don't know which is worse.

CJ

MUSCOVITE · Answer

CalifJimI'm sorry to hear you live in a poor country. I live in a rich country, but I'm poor anyway! I don't know which is worse.

(1) "Being poor" and "being rich" are NOT absolute categories I guess?
Do you agree with the following?
Let a man find himself, in distinction from others, on top of two wheels with a chain-~~at least in a poor country like Russia~~-and ... his vanity begins to swell out like his tyres. In America it takes an automobile to produce this effect. (Leon Trotsky)

(It was only true for the America of the thirties of the twentieth century of course :-)

(2) I am a little confused.... If someone refers to their country as "my poor country", should it be interpreted exclusively as "they live in a poor country"? :-)
I bet my bottom rouble there must be alternative interpretations

CalifJim · Answer

MUSCOVITE(1) "Being poor" and "being rich" are NOT absolute categories I guess?

Heavens, no! They are relative categories, of course.

MUSCOVITEDo you agree with the following?

I can't agree or disagree because I don't understand it! "on top of two wheels with a chain"? Is Trotsky describing a bicycle?

MUSCOVITE If someone refers to their country as "my poor country", should it be interpreted exclusively as "they live in a poor country"?

No, not at all. Another meaning, for example, is "unfortunate". But that doesn't matter if someone wants to make a joke by misinterpreting the meaning on purpose!

CJ

MUSCOVITE · Answer

CalifJimIs Trotsky describing a bicycle?

Exactly! :-) Can't imagine another device (to ride on) with two wheels and a chain :-)

CalifJimBut that doesn't matter if someone wants to make a joke by misinterpreting the meaning on purpose!

It was a bit below the belt, CalifJim :-) Kidding us poor English learners in YOUR native language :-)

Will you nod or shake your head in this case?

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