Negatively Speaking: a sociolinguistic feature of Newfoundland Speech

Authors

  • Bernard O'Dwyer Memorial University of Newfoundland

Abstract

Native Newfoundland speakers often times use the negative declarative ending in a tag question when extending an invitation. Where one might expect to hear, 'Would you like a cup of tea?' , you often hear, 'You don't want a cup of tea, do you?'. This use of a negative proposition ending in a tag question does not signal that a negative response is expected. The invitation, I propose, is really quite positive in intent. The use of the negative here signals, instead, the social features of politeness and possibly inferior position to the addressee.

Published

1989-06-06

How to Cite

O’Dwyer, B. (1989). Negatively Speaking: a sociolinguistic feature of Newfoundland Speech. Papers from the Annual Meetings of the Atlantic Provinces Linguistic Association (PAMAPLA) ACTES DES COLLOQUES ANNUELS DE L’ASSOCIATION DE LINGUISTIQUE DES PROVINCES ATLANTIQUES (ACAALPA)., 12, 59–65. Retrieved from https://conferences.lib.unb.ca/index.php/pamapla/article/view/412

Conference Proceedings Volume

Section

Papers / Présentations