This is a question of semantics.
I was watching PTI on ESPN. During the viewer mail section, they read an email talking about David Beckham being rumored to try to get out of his contract with the LA Galaxy and going back to England. The last sentence of the email was “Wouldn’t that be a good move for him?”
It occurred to me, that by including the negation–contracted not–the writer is taking a stance. That is: This is what I believe. Do you not agree?
My interpretation of a non-negated questions is: I have a question (without expressing my opinion).
But my interpretation of a negated question is: Here is my opinion, what do you think?
Or, in the context of the question on ESPN:[ul]
[li]“Would that be a good move for him?” = I’m not telling you what I think, I am asking you whether you think he should go back to England.[/li][li]“Would not that be a good move for him?” = I think he should go back to England. What do you think?[/li][/ul]
Is that how you would interpret the negation of the question? Oh, I’m sorry. I mean: Isn’t that how you would interpret the negation of the question?