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Sec 2, unit 8, lesson 1, Ex 2, Listening text on TG page 128: Would mind telling us about Maupassant's life?" The affirmative is "no" and the negative answer is "yes", but the speaker here answered in the affirmative with "yes". Why?
informal I wouldn't mind (= I would like) something to eat, actually.
Would you mind turning (= Please would you turn) your radio down a little please?
Do you mind if (= May) I put the television on? |
When someone says
Do you mind … or
Would you mind …, they're not really asking a yes/no question. They're making a polite request. And therefore the response often begins with an affirmative such as
Yes or
Of course.
Note that this particular dialogue is taking place in a studio and the guest is there to speak about
Maupassant, so of course he doesn't mind talking about him or he wouldn't be there in the first place. The Would you mind is just a polite opener to the talk.
If you are really asking someone to do you a favor that might be troublesome to them, your tone of voice would likely be softer and your intonation would probably be that of a question. It's still a request, but the affirmative reply would more likely (but not necessarily) begin with a negative.
Would you mind posting this letter when you go into town? (Is it too much trouble for you?)
No, not at all. (I don't mind. = I'll do it.)
The reply could also be
Yes, no problem. ( = Yes, I'll do it.)
However, it might be best to teach your students to respond with No, not at all on the final exam
http://www.longmansec.com.eg/QuestAns.aspx?QA_ID=936