Date:  Mon, 9 May 1994 21:07:05 CDT

From:  "Donald M. Lance" <ENGDL[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]MIZZOU1.BITNET>

Subject: Re: y'all



Larry Horn asked whether formal politeness had been suggested in the previous

discussion. I think it was implied, but in the cases (not quarters) cited

so far I think there's another dimension -- marking of friendliness

([+familiar]?) in an otherwise semi-formal situation in "server talk".

Beth's example of the car-comfort question is clearly not formal, but it is

analogous to "server talk" in that the driver was in a position to do

something to provide comfortable temperature or whatever in the car.

So I'm still thinkin' it's a register thing. Keep the examples flowing,

y'all.            DMLance