Date:  Fri, 20 Oct 1995 09:16:01 -0400

From:  Merri Lisa Johnson <mj906388[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]OAK.CATS.OHIOU.EDU>

Subject: y'all are crazy



Benjamin Barrett posted John M. Jeep's query regarding a "reliable

account" of the usage of "y'all" as singular. While I am not working on

this topic professionally at this point, I still feel I must respond in

defense of my personal dialect (I'm from Georgia). It may appear at times

that "y'all" is being used in the singular, but I assure you that is not

the case. I liked Tom Wharriet's explanation of the implied plural

meaning "you and yours." I think that thorough research would conclude

that there is always some implied or connoted plural meaning even when it

might seem otherwise.



Lisa

Ohio University