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Article
Y'all Two: Early Examples
Faculty Articles
  • David B. Parker, Kennesaw State University
Department
History and Philosophy
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-1-2006
Abstract

The article deals with the usage of the English pronoun y'all. Most linguistic experts suggest a predominantly plural usage of the term. However, Tillery and Bailey found in 1998 that a third of their respondents in Oklahoma agreed that the term can be used in a singular sense. On the other hand, in 1992, Montgomery challenges the common knowledge that the pronoun originated as a contraction of you all. He argued that the pronoun is a derivation from the Scotch-Irish term ye aw.

Citation Information
Parker, David B. "Y'all Two: Early Examples." American Speech 81.1 (2006): 110-2. Print.