Double Negatives

[Vorago]

From a standard point of view yes, from the user of the double negative, no.

 

[barebones]

What about "We don't need no education..."? Was it done that way just for the sake of the phrase's rhythm? I've never understood that.

BTW, that's one of the things I like the most of English language. In Spanish, we talk like "Yo no sé nada" ("I don't know nothing"), "El nunca compuso nada" ("He never composed nothing") or "No toques nada" ("Don't touch nothing"), which is totally wrong. I don't get the logic behind that.

The line is intentionally ironic. Speaking of the word "irony," there's another one that is all too frequently misused...

Matt

 

[barebones]

When a double negative is used, it's purpose is to stress the negation, not to neutralise it.

I agree that is often the intent of the speaker or writer, but it is not the true grammatical effect.

Matt

 

[morf]

What is true and what isnt? Who/what sets the limit? English teachers? Dictionnaries? Because they all seem to contradict each other for alot of things...

As long as you're understood, I think it doesnt really matter.

 

[barebones]

I agree fully - hence my peeve with "an historic", which seems to have found favor with ******** American newscasters everywhere...

Indeed. This is one of those things that some people say, because they believe it makes them sound more intelligent. They are wrong.

Matt

 

[Petary791]

From a standard point of view yes, from the user of the double negative, no.

Ah yeah I knew that I was just saying from a standard POV.

We are definitely over-analyzing this.

 

[barebones]

As long as you're understood, I think it doesnt really matter.

I agree up to a point. If you're sittin' in a bar tippin' pints with your mates, it don't matter none. If you're attempting to give an intelligent analysis of, say, the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, you greatly undermine your credibility by ignoring the established rules of the language.

Matt

 

[barebones]

I've kind of moved beyone this whole argument, though, as lately I've been focusing on incorporating more double positives into my speech. It's a lot harder than you think.

Matt

 

[lemur821]

Very well written and informative post. However, I'm not calling anyone an idiot for their laziness and lack of verbal skills. Sure I understand that people are raised differently. It just seems like slang and ebonics have taken a foothold in society when they shouldn't have. Can you imagine talking to a Judge or LEO and using slang and ebonics? I've seen it happen. It's borderline rude IMO and just showcases your ignorance. Show some respect, that's all anybody asks.

Now I aint funna be debatin' dis topic no more.

I agree that some situations require formal speech, and encourage everyone to heap scorn on those who don't use the proper linguistic form for the moment, but not that there's anything wrong with using double negatives and the like 90% of the time.