The three most prevalent themes in the discussion revolve around the use of negation for affirmation (litotes), the perceived difference between American English (AmE) and other English dialects, and broader linguistic observations regarding cultural expression and empathy.
Prevalent Themes and Supporting Quotes
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The prevalence of litotes (assertion by negation) varies significantly across English dialects, particularly between American English and others. Many users found statements in the source article—which suggested English speakers only use direct affirmation—to be inaccurate for their local dialects (British, Australian, New Zealander, etc.). Conversely, many American speakers confirmed the article's premise regarding AmE.
- "This is like when Australians tell me they invented drinking coffee." ("tomlockwood") - Though semi-seriously referencing cultural claims, this sets the stage for dialectal claims.
- "I think it's especially American English that doesn't use litotes as much as British English or the other Western European languages." ("seszett")
- "Certainly nobody says brilliant as an affirmation here [in the US]." ("theresistor")
- "As a Brit, I'm not quite sure this article is right in it's declaration it's a universal "English" thing and not more "American English"." ("kimixa")
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The ambiguity of negated phrases ("not bad," "not wrong") in English vs. their precise meaning in other languages (like Chinese) impacts cultural understanding and empathy. Users discussed how the lack of clearer linguistic tools for expressing degrees of negativity or satisfaction (e.g., the concept of "unwant") hinders precise communication, especially across cultural lines.
- "The main difference may be in the range of meanings. In a scale of 0 to 10 where "bad" is 0, one side will take "not bad" as a 4~5 while the other side meant it as 7~8." ("makeitdouble")
- "I've not been able to communicate what I mean... how language shapes how we think and therefore our realities." ("mathewsanders")
- "We don't say "unwant," and we don't clearly differentiate between a lack of want and a repulsion or unwant or negative want." ("FloorEgg")
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Cultural context, especially the concept of "Face," often dictates the preference for indirect or negated language over direct affirmation. Several users argued that the use of litotes isn't about inherent linguistic capability but about cultural norms that favor indirectness, humility, or avoiding offense ("Face").
- "...the breadth of that word itself is adapted to the context... It isn't the words, it's the interpersonal culture, face, and both communicating and showing you know where you fit in." ("scooke")
- "Because for many Americans, leaving ambiguity implies lack of confidence in the statement or evasiveness." ("Glyptodon")
- "Germans (and I'd say, Germanic/Nordic-origin cultures as a whole) don't like wasting time coddling around and sucking up for no reason at all. We're an efficient people, after all." ("mschuster91")