Date: Sat, 28 Sep 1996 22:56:30 -0400

From: "Jeutonne P. Brewer" jpbrewer[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]HAMLET.UNCG.EDU

Subject: Re: Y'all



I don't think this is a clear, unambiguous example. It is the

kind of example that begins to raise the question however.





On Sat, 28 Sep 1996, E. Wayles Browne wrote:



Here is a written attestation. Should we interpret it as singular?

It seems to be both preceded and followed by singular you.



[Letterhead:] James Carville

Dear Friend,

I hear that like me, you are committed to helping ___ ___

accomplish something in North Carolina that, by my count, is about

24 years overdue:

The defeat of ___ ___.

I'm glad to know that y'all are out there fighting the good

fight, because I can't think fo a guy who deserves to be elected to

the United States Senate more than Harvey.



[snip]



[names of candidates omitted as irrelevant]





Wayles Browne, Assoc. Prof. of Linguistics