Hell, Yes!
That word “yes” is James Joyce’ famous line “And yes I said yes I will yes…” seems like the clearest word in the English language. How could a yes be misinterpreted? How could yes be anything but another word for I will, I agree, I am with you all the way.
Alas, so many cultures do not use the word yes the way we do so Americans are bound to feel confused when speaking to foreign-born English speakers. Simply, in some cultures a yes can mean no, a yes can mean maybe, a yes can mean I understand what you are saying, a yes can mean nothing more than I hear what you are saying and sometimes a yes can mean yes. And in some cultures, they like a little debate even though they are going to say yes. This happened to me many times in my years in France.
How could yes be so damn confusing? Well, sometimes a no may be a no-no in some countries like in Asia where people want to preserve harmony in conversation so the listener has to to figure out what the speaker really means with his yes. And in South America they just don’t want to disappoint you or cause any friction.
So how can you international students and professionals in the United States learn how to use yes in English?
Be direct. Say yes when you mean I agree or I will. Say maybe when you are unsure. Say no if you disagree.
This sounds simple but take this exchange between Cybele from Venezuela, a Ph.d. student at New York University. and me.
Me: So you’re coming to our home for July 4th?
Cybele: Yes, I’m coming.
July 4th comes and there is no Cybele.
Me: Where are you? What did your yes mean?
Cybele: I’m in Manhattan working on a paper for class. My yes meant I would love to come but I wasn’t sure I could but I wanted to remain optimistic so I just said yes. And I wanted to make you feel happy.
Oh my! She was hoping she could come but wasn’t sure. This is how the conversation should have gone.
Me: So you’re coming to our home for July 4th?
Cybele: I’d love to come more than anything but I can’t really give you a yes yet until I see how the paper I’m writing is going. I really would love to join you and will let you know as soon as I have a better idea of if I can make it.
With that answer, Cybele will not make an American angry whereas her first answer could infuriate the listener when she didn’t show up.
So does yes always mean yes in English? It is true that sometimes we say “Yeah,yeah,yeah” when we mean we disagree. . Sometimes we say, “Fine” when we don’t mean things are fine at all. This can be understood with the speaker’s sarcastic tone of voice.
But when you do mean yes, say it loudly and clearly. Remember Americans love enthusiastic yes’s.
If I say to a student, “Would you like to do a presentation on George Orwell for next class?” and if he says, “Yeah,” then I have a feeling he does not want to do it at all.
So learn these enthusiastic ways to show you really mean yes.
1. Sounds great..
2. I’d love to.
3. Absolutely.
4. Definitely
5. Absolutely
Sometimes we use the expressions below to show strong agreement with a touch of humor..
Shall we go get some ice cream?
Yes, let’s do it.
What are we waiting for?
Count me in.
Hell, yes!
And sometimes Americans use the word SURE to show an enthusiastic yes.
Did you enjoy reading this article on yes?
I hope your answer is the following: We sure did!
Register for a course at ELI: https://www.sps.nyu.edu/homepage/academics/divisions-and-departments/english-language-institute/professional-english-program.html
