Posted on 02/20/2005 7:45:38 PM PST by bayourod
In a June appearance on NBC's Today Show, singer Marc Anthony made an unusual but, according to some linguists, not-so-surprising word choice.
When co-host Matt Lauer asked Anthony how he'd spend the upcoming weekend, Anthony said, "Y'all know I don't talk about my personal life."
A New York native of Puerto Rican descent using "y'all," a distinctly Southern term?
Linguists Guy Bailey and Jan Tillery would say Anthony is exhibit A in a national trend that is spreading the uses of "y'all" beyond the South. The two, who teach at the University of Texas at San Antonio, wrote an article in 2000 called The Nationalization of a Southernism, in the Journal of English Linguistics.
After conducting a national poll by telephone, the team concluded that the spread was dramatic and recent, most likely in the past 50 years as younger non-Southerners were significantly more likely to use "y'all" than older non-Southerners. Those regions bordering the South and Texas, like Kansas and New Mexico, were most likely to adopt it, as well as the Rocky Mountain region, which, they argued, had cultural similarities with the South.
As for why non-Southerners might use a markedly Southern term, the authors cite geographic mobility — Northerners moving to the South adopting it and Southerners moving to the North retaining it. But ultimately, the authors argue, it's a matter of addressing a "hole" in the English language.
Ever since English lost the second person singular "thou," it has relied on the pronoun "you" to act as both singular and plural. English speakers have improvised ways to avoid ambiguity in the plural: in the Northeast, "youse" or "youse guys"; around Pittsburgh "yunz" or "yinz," a contraction of "you-ones"; in the South, "y'all," a contraction — or "fusion" as Bailey and Tillery say — of "you-all"; and finally "you guys."
But "you guys" feels awkward to certain segments of the population, says Joan Houston Hall, chief editor of the Dictionary of American Regional English. A term that gained popularity in the 1960s, it still sounds inappropriately familiar to some elderly ears, she says, and some women are uncomfortable with the masculine gender implied by "guys." "Y'all" elegantly resolves all these concerns.
Others argue that "y'all" is spreading for a much simpler reason: Both culturally and numerically, the South is on the rise. But more important, "y'all" is standard in what linguists call African-American Vernacular English (AAVE), the lingua franca of rap and hip-hop.
I grew up in Southeast Missouri. Everyone there said "You all". No one ever said "Y'all" unless they were using a fake southern accent.
Thanks my friend, I'll look for it. Now I'll just sit back and wait for some Lincoln worshipper to tell me that
A professor at The University of Arkansas was giving a lecture of the
supernatural. To get a feel for his audience, he asks, "How many
people here believe in ghosts?"
About 90 students raise their hands. "Well, that's a good start. Out
of those of you who believe in ghosts, do any of you think you have seen
a ghost?"
About 40 students raise their hands. "That's really good. I'm really
glad you take this seriously. Has anyone here ever talked to a ghost?"
About 15 students raise their hand. "Has anyone here ever touched a
ghost?"
3 students raise their hands.
"That's fantastic. Now let me ask you one question further "Have any
of you ever made love to a ghost?"
Way in the back, Bubba raises his hand. The professor takes off his
glasses, and says "Son, all the years I've been giving this lecture,
no one has ever claimed to have made love to a ghost. You've got to
come up here and tell us about your experience."
The big redneck student replied with a nod and a grin, and began to
make his way up to the podium. When he reached the front of the room, the
professor asks, "So, Bubba, tell us what it's like to have sex with a
ghost?"
Bubba replied, "Shiiiit! From way back thar I thought you said
"Goats."
"you".
Thanks for the laugh.
"...when I'm angry it makes me feel a little more feisty."
It tends to do that, doesn't it. ;o)
Bless your heart . . . Maria is my best employee and became an American citizen 6mos. ago. It was a joy to help her study for the exam and quiz her on the Constitution, et al.
Thank ya' kindly for the ping. ;o)
"ALL Y'ALL's BASE ARE BELONG TO US."
LOL!
hehehehehehe ya'lls base!
I think #4 is a little questionable, but I agree with the rest.
"My auntie still say's you'uns and we'uns. That and them young'uns. ; )"
My grandaddy used to say that.
He also said His'n and Her'n.
We all said them young'uns.
It's my goal to figure out the difference between having a hissy fit and pitching a fit.
That bourbon is one funny guy. ;o)
I'll amen that! There are plenty of actors from the South that have done well out here and can be cast for these parts. Still, they did do justice (visually) to the Petersburg campaign and Col. Henry Pleasants and the 48th Pennsylvania's attempt to tunnel under Ft. Stedman and blow it up.
It's been my experience that kids pitch fits,
and women have hissy fits.
At least, that's how it was where I'm from.
I'm doing my part to spread the use of "y'all".
Next, I'm gonna start working on "fixin' to". ;o)
My auntie who is an Arkie from Yellville still says His'n and Her'n. I find it charming. It makes me feel at home, ya'll.
LOL!
Considering the considerable reputation and stature of Mr. Ryan, yes, that's good enough to make you a Semi-Honorary Texan. :-)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.