Aug 31, 2001 11:15
23 yrs ago
English term
United States
English into flawless native Spanish
Native in: Spanish 
Works in: English to Spanish, French to Spanish, Spanish, and 2 more.
I do not need
Non-PRO
English
Art/Literary
ONLY NATIVE AMERICAN ENGLISH SPEAKERS, PLEASE.
I would like to get as much information as possible on this phrase: " I do not need to get a high water bill..."
Context:
"How long has the water been running? I do not need a high water bill"
An ADULT guy is asking his ADULT sister not to use too much water.
Is this phrase authoritarian or disrespectful? Or is it a common, simple way of asking someone to be careful when watering the garden? Both the man and his sister are supposed to have the same rights in the house where they live , apparently, together.
Thanks to all who take the time to answer.:)
BS
I would like to get as much information as possible on this phrase: " I do not need to get a high water bill..."
Context:
"How long has the water been running? I do not need a high water bill"
An ADULT guy is asking his ADULT sister not to use too much water.
Is this phrase authoritarian or disrespectful? Or is it a common, simple way of asking someone to be careful when watering the garden? Both the man and his sister are supposed to have the same rights in the house where they live , apparently, together.
Thanks to all who take the time to answer.:)
BS
Responses
| 0 | I do *NOT* need.... |
Bryan Kampbell (X)
|
| 0 +1 | My guess is.... |
Melanie Sellers
|
| 0 | I do not need to get a high water bill. |
Phlebo
|
Responses
46 mins
Bryan Kampbell (X)
Bryan Kampbell (X)
Quality Professional Work
Works in: German to English
View
Selected
I do *NOT* need....
The fact that the speaker says "do not" instead of the typical contraction "don't" implies that he is speaking in an emphatic tone of voice, with the tonal stress on the word "not". He's pretty ticked off. *grin*
Reference:
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Brilliant! Thanks. And thanks to Melanie too.:))I wish I could have awarded Kudoz to both of you.
BSD "
+1
19 mins
Melanie Sellers
Language translation Professional
Native in: German
Works in: English to German, German to English
My guess is....
that the brother is paying the water bill, it sounds as if the brother is concerned with having to pay a high water bill. These two siblings seem to share the responsibilities, yet the brother seems to be the only one responsible for paying the water bill. It sounds rather demanding to me.
Hope it helps ;0)
Hope it helps ;0)
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Bryan Kampbell (X)
: Even if they share the H2O bill, the brother will still feel the pain when he has to pay his share.
33 mins
|
1 day 21 hrs
I do not need to get a high water bill.
I agree that this is a firm tone of voice, but I disagree about his level of anger. Usually when people are really ticked off they shorten words and phrases to express their anger faster, due to their impatience with the person. When someone does not use a contraction they are wanting the listener to hear and understand very clearly the point they are trying to make. In this case the point and the discontinuance of a certain behavior is more important than the expressed anger.
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