Date: Mon, 23 Oct 1995 23:21:04 -0700

From: Rima & Kim McKinzey rkm[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]SLIP.NET

Subject: English-southern style



I've forwarded a bunch of the y'all discussion to my inlaws - she a native

of Oklahoma and he a native of Texas and later OK. My father-in-law

responded with the following and I thought I'd pass it along. Rima



Thanks for the info ya'll sent on southern words. I wish to add comments

from this simple Tex/Ok person to your collection.



Ya'll-Plural to shorten "all of you", "you all" or the yankee version of

"youse guys". Also a familiarity word for "you". (Saves having to use 2

words when

one will cover both.



Y'uns-Commonly used with younger persons as "you younguns" but also is a

familiarity word used with more then one adult or to a mixed group.

(Again a conservation of words).



These two words are symptomatic of the characterization of southern persons as

being persons of few words plus southern people typically speak more slowly so

they have to find a way to combine words to keep up with the communicating

speed of their yankee kinfolks.