Negatives in Spanish/English

Question

Does anybody know why English evolved such that double negatives where the Romance languages like Spanish the double negative is acceptable?

Answer 1

Double negatives are used in English - some are mentioned above - but logically a minus + a minus = a plus. So "I ain't got no money." = I have money. For Spanish speakers learning English "ain't" is very interesting, but maybe difficult to grasp. In school we were always reprimanded for using it. Look it up on Google.

Ain't is a colloquialism and a contraction originally used for "am not", but also used for "is not", "are not", "has not", or "have not" in the common vernacular. In some dialects it is also used as a contraction of "do not", "does not", and "did not" (i.e. I ain't know that). The word is a perennial issue in English usage. It is a word that is widely used by many people, but its use is commonly considered to be improper.[1

It ain't good to say ain't.

or..."Ain't" ain't in no dictionary - Izanoni1, Sep 28, 2009

As I mentioned before, I think that languages are made even more beautiful and fascinating by colloquialisms like this that bend the rules. I love them. - mateo2, Sep 28, 2009

Ain't ain't a verb either. - ian-hill, Sep 28, 2009

Don't you mean: "Ain't" ain't no verb neither - Izanoni1, Sep 28, 2009

Of cpurse I did Izanoni - "You ain't 'alf right with that comment" - ian-hill, Sep 30, 2009

Answer 2

Also, in Slavic languages they are allowed. But why it's different in English? I think it's a question belonging to the same category as this one: "Why do we say Good morning and not Nice morning" or "Why a butterfly is not a creamfly"

Or even "flutterby" because that is what they do "flutter by" LOL - ian-hill, Sep 28, 2009

Good point :)) - Issabela, Oct 30, 2009

Answer 3

I HATE double negatives. The problem for me, in English, is the clarity. In Spanish, it makes sense, but in English, it screws everything up.

In Spanish, it makes sense because they tend to not have the words that mean "any" and such as that, and they don't use them as much, but we have them so we expect you to use them.

"I don't have no money." because I have become used to hearing it, means, "I don't have any money." But, if you read it as is, it means, "I have money."

It is ridiculous. I am so happy that I was raised in a home where my grammar was corrected and was required to be proper.

Many simple rules like, "Do not end sentences with propositions.", "You and I, not me and you.", and "Double negatives are wrong." are second nature. I think proper grammar in your native language is a sign of intelligence and it just makes people seem stupid when they use poor grammar. Not necessarily spelling or punctuation, but sentence structure. /end rant!

You forgot to write the "/begin rant". - samdie, Sep 28, 2009

Ha ha. - Preguntón, Sep 28, 2009

Answer 4

Actually, I think double negatives in English can be fun or even poetic. Many famous writers have used them to amusing effect.

For example, in one of rock and roll's greatest ballads: I Can't Get No Satisfaction (Rolling Stones).

Or how about... Not a moment passes without thoughts of you.

Or even just... Dude, I wouldn't say no to that!

Good points, Izabela. Languages are awesome -- especially when you start getting into the idioms and other ways of bending the rules! And that ain't no lie!

I recall some words from a song "I ain't got no money" - double negavites are quite frequent in lyrics. - Issabela, Sep 28, 2009

And anyone whose lived in the South would argue that double negatives CAN be used in the English language~ (I know my teacher would) - fatcinnaroll, Sep 28, 2009

Your teacher ain't educated then. - ian-hill, Sep 28, 2009

Answer 5

I ain't ever, not never, gonna write ain't no more - honest I ain't.

You ain't doin' too well, dude ;) - Issabela, Sep 28, 2009

Ain't I? - ian-hill, Sep 28, 2009