Date:  Fri, 7 Oct 1994 18:35:56 GMT

From:  "Warren A. Brewer" <NCUT054[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]TWNMOE10.BITNET>

Subject: Name that syntagm



Okay, do the perfessional linguists (what's a "linguist"? That's another

list) have a technical term for phenomena like "I don't care (to)"?



One big problem I've had with my Taiwanese students has been when they

offer to do something for me, and I say, "That's okay."



My meaning: "No thank you, I don't want to put you to any trouble."



Non-native speaker's (literal) interpretaion: "I accept your offer."



Cf. could care less --> couldn't care less



Got a name for it?

                    ---Wab.