How Bulgarians Say 'Yes' and 'No' (Youtube #shorts)

[TheLowstef]

Native Bulgarian here. The head movements are indeed "reversed", technically. But under the influence of the rest of the world (Hollywood, etc.) the "rest-of-the-world"/"normal" head motions are also recognized/used. In my observation they're even displacing the "native" versions slowly. Younger people tend to use the "international" version more. We may soon (a decade or two) "synchronize" with the rest of the world

[johngr]

And then there's us Greek who have "Ne" but it means "Yes"

[EddieKoisy]

Native one here. As a professional head nodder (I am a psychotherapist and I nod my head A LOT on a daily bases) I can tell that there are very fine differences between all nods.
We kind of use both "international and local" indeed but there are particularities to it. The "yes" shake takes place with wider moves from center to right then left and back, rarely with more then 2, 3 cycles of that. Usually with about 10 degrees tilt to the right side (imagine the Earth`s axis tilt).
The "No" shake is quicker and almost always accompanied with a quite sound "ts" with the tongue or with a facial grimace. The "no" shake is quicker more robust and can be then followed by the "universal yes nod", but this is the very important part - when we nod for "no" it`s not a nod it is in inverted direction. Base position then up!, then down. It is like your head catches the idea and throws it away with the head movement, then just bounces twice like an echo of the movement. And we do not nod for yes it is rather affirmation of understanding when we nod downwards - it is slower and rather comforting. If asked a question like "would you like an ice-cream" yes would be quick short left with a longer right meaning - "sure" or "throw away with the head movement" for no. I think this is it.

[cerjmedia]

I immediately knew this was gonna be about the head nodding ha

[johanfagerstromjarlenfors]

When I’ve been speaking to Indians (and when I visited India) I noticed that they shake their head to say yes… but they don’t shake their head the same way we shakes for no, but instead they ”tilt” it from side to side which at least here in northern europe would mean ”maybe, maybe not, i don’t really know, seems okay”

[aldhieu.a.teodocio]

meanwhile here in the Philippines: Baka hindi (maybe not)

Hindi speakers: did you just say "stupid hindi?"

[i.setyawan]

I actually had first-hand experience with this. I had a Bulgarian colleague when I was doing my PhD some 20 years ago, and in the beginning we did end up in some awkward situations.

[martychisnall]

So you see your honour, she was Bulgarian, I thought she said yes

[albertl]

The nodding in reverse is the same with Albanians from the Republic of Albania too

[Простонякойпъпеш]

As Bulgarian i can say its funny understanding it🤣

[TheDionysos]

Ne in Korean is also Yes. But we don’t shake our heads side to side lol

[Inddesign]

So I have a new headcanon for the show "el chavo del ocho":

el chavo... Knew Bulgarian. Interesting... Lol

Thanks for this short!

[rbg]

fun fact: we're not the only ones to shake their heads to say "yes" (which shaking differs from the universal "no" shake).

[elisajoummaa]

I have lived years in Bulgaria.At first it was really confusing🤣

[NyoAero]

So Bulgarian is one of those languages you also need to learn gestures. xD

[Rondoooo]

When you ask a Bulgarian girl out and the "no means no" gets to the next confusing level. 😁

[parniparthan-ktvm]

I am Baloch from Pakistan I spoke Balochi languages Indio European language
Bulgarian language is sweet language Indio European language

[ValeTalesMC]

As far as I remember, the head movements are reversed in Albania too, correct me if I'm wrong. I presume there must be some kind of connection.

[mahatmaniggandhi]

the body language equivalent of UK roads

[kobikaicalev]

The head geatures are slightly different through! Not just reversed, the sideways yes: stops in the middle more or less, and the upwards no is mostly up once and stops rather than nodding