End of ADS-L Digest - 12 Jan 1995 to 13 Jan 1995

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There are 5 messages totalling 119 lines in this issue.



Topics of the day:



 1. 2 pl. (3)

 2. Gullah Bible

 3. WOTY



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Date:  Sat, 14 Jan 1995 15:48:36 +0000

From:  Aaron Drews <9475245[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]ARRAN.SMS.ED.AC.UK>

Subject: 2 pl.



Hey all!

                    Last year around this time, there was a rather long thread about

"Y'all" and how in some parts of the US it is the 2pl. pronoun. Around

this neck of the woods (ie Edinburgh), I have heard, "yous", even by

educated speakers. I don't see why the standard plural couldn't be

added to the dingular pronoun and fill in the gap we lost a couple

centuries ago (?).

                I haven't heard "yous" in formal usage, or, if I remember correctly,

in simple, active declaritive sentences. I have heard it in questions,

like "How are yous?" or "Can I get yous anything?". Perhaps it's the

brogue, but it certainly doesn't sound like the stereotypical,

blue-collar Chicago Bears fan.

                    I'm just wondering if anybody else has heard this in other parts of

the English-speaking world. If so, where, in what context, etc.?



--Aaron Drews