Lara in Colo Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 (edited) I grew up in the South and I happen to think the word y'all is a perfectly acceptable contraction. However it is a plural "you all" meaning that you are addressing more than one person. I recently started reading a book (candy) that had a character that constantly used "y'all" when talking to one person. I never could figure out if the other characters were in the room or not. After about 50 pages my head hurt and I had to put the book down. Mostly bad grammar doesn't bother me too much. I have yet to figure out how this book got past editing. I have a strong feeling neither the author nor the editor are from the South. Or---- could I be wrong and now "y'all" is acceptable as singular?????? Edited September 1, 2012 by Lara in Colo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Classical Country Mama Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 I was always taught that y'all can mean either one person or multiple people, but for clarity, with more than one person you should say all y'all. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbeyej Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 Well, first of all, it has to be "y'all". :) As you noted yourself, it's a contraction of "you" and "all". "Ya'll" just ain't right. ;) I'm trying to think of instances where I've heard it used in a singular sense. I think it may be when addressing a single person as if that person was part of a group, so, telling one person how she and her whole family might be expected to behave, for instance. But if strictly addressing one person alone then it would seem odd to me as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 Well, first of all, it has to be "y'all". :) As you noted yourself, it's a contraction of "you" and "all". "Ya'll" just ain't right. ;) I'm trying to think of instances where I've heard it used in a singular sense. I think it may be when addressing a single person as if that person was part of a group, so, telling one person how she and her whole family might be expected to behave, for instance. But if strictly addressing one person alone then it would seem odd to me as well. What Abbey said. (Especially the y'all vs ya'll part. My iPhone even corrected the ya'll.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katilac Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 I was always taught that y'all can mean either one person or multiple people, but for clarity, with more than one person you should say all y'all. :D Interesting. In my neck of the woods, you is one person, y'all is more than one person, and all y'all is mostly used when emphasizing that an entire group is being talked about. You are welcome to stay for supper. Y'all are welcome to stay for supper (anyone in the group, any mixture of people). Aunt Lucy will be here, so all y'all should stay for supper (everyone in the group). Either way, it makes me nuts when it's not properly contracted to y'all. It's a shortening of you all; why would it be split any other way?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 Y'all, and yes it means more than one person. All y'all is an entire group as was mentioned in previous posts. As an aside, when we first moved to Florida we still said youse - the NJ version of y'all. It was never youse guys. It was either you guys or youse. I get equally annoyed at youse guys and y'all used incorrectly. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 (edited) Grammatically speaking: "y'all" = the contraction of "you all" "ya'll" = (presumably) a contraction of "you will" (with "ya" meaning "you", but written "ya" to indicate an accent) In the context of this book: whenever "ya'll" appears, could it be replaced by "you will"? Then "ya'll" (as wrong as it looks) is be correct. OR, does the sentence make grammatical sense when you substitute "you all"? If so, then the author should have used "y'all". And -- I'm with you, correct or not, extended use of dialect in the writing makes me put the book down and back away. Warmest regards, Lori D. :leaving: Edited September 1, 2012 by Lori D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara in Colo Posted September 1, 2012 Author Share Posted September 1, 2012 There is a law that when you complain about grammar you will make a grammar mistake in the thread. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluegoat Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 I once read a terrible novel where the main character was supposed to be a Quaker and spoke in dialect. But the author kept using words like "thou" inappropriately. It drove me around the bend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara in Colo Posted September 1, 2012 Author Share Posted September 1, 2012 Interesting. In my neck of the woods, you is one person, y'all is more than one person, and all y'all is mostly used when emphasizing that an entire group is being talked about. You are welcome to stay for supper. Y'all are welcome to stay for supper (anyone in the group, any mixture of people). Aunt Lucy will be here, so all y'all should stay for supper (everyone in the group). Either way, it makes me nuts when it's not properly contracted to y'all. It's a shortening of you all; why would it be split any other way?? This is what I always thought as well. Except that I say all of y'all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 I am from the South and I have never heard "y'all" used to address one person. Or maybe I just haven't noticed because I am so used to hearing incorrect grammar. :confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohdanigirl Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 (edited) I learned that y'all was when speaking to more than one person. My grandparents were from Alabama, and both had heavy Southern accents. All Y'all, if I remember correctly, was used for a group of people kind of spread out in a room. Or when referring to those you were speaking to and others not present. Like telling Jim and marie that they should come for a visit with all their children. Does that make sense? Danielle Edited September 1, 2012 by USDGAL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MooCow Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 I love ya'll ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 Y'all is never, ever used as a singular. Although I sporadically encounter people who aren't from the south who firmly believe it is. Y'all is sometimes used to refer to a group when speaking to just one person. For example, I might call my SIL and say "Y'all come over for supper tomorrow night." But of course the meaning there is her entire family. Not just her. I think maybe that's where the confusion comes in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 No, no, no. Y'all (this is the correct spelling, not "ya'll") is ALWAYS plural. It means "you ALL", so there's no way it could be singular. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 (edited) I am from the South and I have never heard "y'all" used to address one person. :iagree: I was born and raised in Georgia and have lived in Georgia all but one of my almost-52 years, and I have NEVER heard y'all used to address one person EXCEPT on television when people who don't know any better are attempting to sound "Southern". Ugh, ugh, ugh! <shudder> I wonder if the British cringe when Americans try to sound British the way we Southerners do when people try to sound Southern. Hmmm...might be a good spin-off topic... Edited September 1, 2012 by ereks mom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Classical Country Mama Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 I am from the South and I have never heard "y'all" used to address one person. Or maybe I just haven't noticed because I am so used to hearing incorrect grammar. :confused: Same here, except for the person enthusiastically trying to teach me about its usages. Maybe it's a Mark Twain thing. Singular y'all is reserved for addressing kings, editors, and people with tapeworm? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dobela Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 No, no, no. Y'all (this is the correct spelling, not "ya'll") is ALWAYS plural. It means "you ALL", so there's no way it could be singular. First, the writer of that novel must not be from the south. Y'all is plural. I would only use it with a single person in the room if I was referring to that person being part of a group (as in, "Is that what y'all do at your church?). That being said, my great aunt (from West Tennessee) would write it both ways in her letters to me. 'Y'all' is plural for you all. 'Ya'll' was the contraction for 'you all will' as in 'Ya'll be here this Friday or next?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truscifi Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 Well, first of all, it has to be "y'all". :) As you noted yourself, it's a contraction of "you" and "all". "Ya'll" just ain't right. ;) I'm trying to think of instances where I've heard it used in a singular sense. I think it may be when addressing a single person as if that person was part of a group, so, telling one person how she and her whole family might be expected to behave, for instance. But if strictly addressing one person alone then it would seem odd to me as well. Interesting. In my neck of the woods, you is one person, y'all is more than one person, and all y'all is mostly used when emphasizing that an entire group is being talked about. You are welcome to stay for supper. Y'all are welcome to stay for supper (anyone in the group, any mixture of people). Aunt Lucy will be here, so all y'all should stay for supper (everyone in the group). Either way, it makes me nuts when it's not properly contracted to y'all. It's a shortening of you all; why would it be split any other way?? :iagree: I grew up in the deep South - specifically South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama, and I agree with both of these. Especially about the incorrect contraction of the word. Drives me nuts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truscifi Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 Same here, except for the person enthusiastically trying to teach me about its usages. Maybe it's a Mark Twain thing. Singular y'all is reserved for addressing kings, editors, and people with tapeworm? :lol::lol::lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lolly Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 The only people who make this mistake are people who are pretending to have a Southern accent, be it in print or text. Drives me bonky too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 :iagree: I was born and raised in Georgia and have lived in Georgia all but one of my almost-52 years, and I have NEVER heard y'all used to address one person EXCEPT on television when people who don't know any better are attempting to sound "Southern". Ugh, ugh, ugh! <shudder> I wonder if the British cringe when Americans try to sound British the way we Southerners do when people try to sound Southern. Hmmm...might be a good spin-off topic... My grandmother saw Oklahoma! in England. She thought it was hysterical. We are from Oklahoma. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dobela Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 :iagree: I was born and raised in Georgia and have lived in Georgia all but one of my almost-52 years, and I have NEVER heard y'all used to address one person EXCEPT on television when people who don't know any better are attempting to sound "Southern". Ugh, ugh, ugh! <shudder> I wonder if the British cringe when Americans try to sound British the way we Southerners do when people try to sound Southern. Hmmm...might be a good spin-off topic... I hate it when a bad southern accent is used in media. ARGH! It is one of my biggest irritators when watching anything. I also hate it when the dumbest idiot in the group is nearly always portrayed with a slow southern accent. We may talk slow but we are not dumb clucks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lolly Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 I hate it when a bad southern accent is used in media. ARGH! It is one of my biggest irritators when watching anything. I also hate it when the dumbest idiot in the group is nearly always portrayed with a slow southern accent. We may talk slow but we are not dumb clucks! We just think about what we say before we say it. Helps keep our feet out of our mouths. Which is a good thing since we are often barefoot!:lol::D:lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IsabelC Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 (edited) So, is Here Comes Honey Boo Boo a "bad Southern accent"? I was just wondering because it was subtitled, and I couldn't figure out why it needed to be, since even I could understand it. Note: I wasn't watching trash on Youtube. I was conducting research into Aspects of Contemporary American Culture. ;) ETA - I reckon y'all is a useful addition to the language too. Why should we miss out when so many other languages have their ihr, vous, etc pronoun. Edited September 1, 2012 by Hotdrink Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyhomemaker Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 No, no, no. Y'all (this is the correct spelling, not "ya'll") is ALWAYS plural. It means "you ALL", so there's no way it could be singular. :iagree::iagree::iagree: I have also never heard anyone use ya'll as a contraction for you will, which was mentioned by a PP. Southerners say you'll like everyone else. Other languages have a distinct second person plural (Latin, Spanish, etc.). I don't know why this is so hard to understand even if one didn't grow up hearing this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyof4ks Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 Interesting. In my neck of the woods, you is one person, y'all is more than one person, and all y'all is mostly used when emphasizing that an entire group is being talked about. You are welcome to stay for supper. Y'all are welcome to stay for supper (anyone in the group, any mixture of people). Aunt Lucy will be here, so all y'all should stay for supper (everyone in the group). Either way, it makes me nuts when it's not properly contracted to y'all. It's a shortening of you all; why would it be split any other way?? :iagree: I grew upon Texas, and this is the way it is here too. Transplants get it wrong for a bit, but they assimilate nicely over time. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deacongirl Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 ETA - I reckon y'all is a useful addition to the language too. Why should we miss out when so many other languages have their ihr, vous, etc pronoun. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 First, the writer of that novel must not be from the south. Y'all is plural. I would only use it with a single person in the room if I was referring to that person being part of a group (as in, "Is that what y'all do at your church?). That being said, my great aunt (from West Tennessee) would write it both ways in her letters to me. 'Y'all' is plural for you all. 'Ya'll' was the contraction for 'you all will' as in 'Ya'll be here this Friday or next?" That's y'all'll :lol: I think I actually say that sometimes. :blushing: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 Wikipedia entry for y'all. FWIW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 Well, and then there's y'alls, as in "I'll be y'alls server tonight," said by the sweet waitress at the restaurant. :D I'm not going to get worked up over whether y'all is singular or plural. As long as I hear it in general conversation, I'm good to go. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forget-Me-Not Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 Well, and then there's y'alls, as in "I'll be y'alls server tonight," said by the sweet waitress at the restaurant. :D Shouldn't that be y'all's? Since it possessive? Can we put two apostrophes in one word? Haha. I really have no idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 We just think about what we say before we say it. Helps keep our feet out of our mouths. Bless y'all's hearts. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lolly Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 :iagree::iagree::iagree:I have also never heard anyone use ya'll as a contraction for you will, which was mentioned by a PP. Southerners say you'll like everyone else. Other languages have a distinct second person plural (Latin, Spanish, etc.). I don't know why this is so hard to understand even if one didn't grow up hearing this. :iagree:The proper contraction for you will is you'll. Sometimes it comes out y'ull... That's y'all'll :lol: I think I actually say that sometimes. :blushing: I use it too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 Huh. All of my southern friends and relations say "ya" or "youse" or, well "you" for the singular. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommaduck Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 It can be said TO one person ABOUT multiple people. "You know, y'all confuse me." I can say that to one person, but mean them and their family or them and their (whichever other group). Yes, I used to say, "all y'all" when speaking to all my children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 Huh. All of my southern friends and relations say "ya" or "youse" or, well "you" for the singular. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mirth Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 It can also be a formal salutation. Y'all: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 Shouldn't that be y'all's? Since it possessive? Can we put two apostrophes in one word? Haha. I really have no idea. NO!! It would be like yours, his, ours, hers, theirs. Y'alls. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 I wonder if the British cringe when Americans try to sound British the way we Southerners do when people try to sound Southern. Hmmm...might be a good spin-off topic... The worst is Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins. Sometimes it's a relief when they just don't bother: Kevin Costner in Robin Hood, for example. Meryl Streep always gets it perfect. Renee Zellweger is very good too. In casual conversation: it doesn't worry me so long as it's affectionate. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in KY Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 (edited) ....Or---- could I be wrong and now "y'all" is acceptable as singular?????? In Kentucky, y'all can indeed be singular. In fact, I have observed that the standard plural form of y'all is all y'all, as in, "We'd like to see all y'all over to our place for the cookout." Also, the possessive form is your all's, as in "I heard your all's house caught fire yesterday." :001_huh: :lol: Edited September 1, 2012 by Susan in KY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidsHappen Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 Well, and then there's y'alls, as in "I'll be y'alls server tonight," said by the sweet waitress at the restaurant. :D I'm not going to get worked up over whether y'all is singular or plural. As long as I hear it in general conversation, I'm good to go. :D But y'alls server should be y'all's as it shows possession. She is their server. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ibbygirl Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 :iagree: I agree with the OP. I've always used ya'll to address a group of people too. It's "you all". If it was one person it would be just "you" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ibbygirl Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 The worst is Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins. Sometimes it's a relief when they just don't bother: Kevin Costner in Robin Hood, for example. Meryl Streep always gets it perfect. Renee Zellweger is very good too. In casual conversation: it doesn't worry me so long as it's affectionate. Laura :lol::lol::lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garddwr Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 The worst is Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins. Sometimes it's a relief when they just don't bother: Kevin Costner in Robin Hood, for example. Meryl Streep always gets it perfect. Renee Zellweger is very good too. In casual conversation: it doesn't worry me so long as it's affectionate. Laura I always worry about this when I'm talking with British friends because, try as I might, I can't keep my accent from "drifting" in that direction and I'm sure it sounds terribly phony. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garddwr Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 ETA - I reckon y'all is a useful addition to the language too. Why should we miss out when so many other languages have their ihr, vous, etc pronoun. Ah, but but the second person plural is exactly what "you" used to be--back when we had "thou" as a second person singular pronoun. If y'all were universally adopted, maybe it would morph the same way--and then it could be used when addressing one person, and we could all get over stressing about bad grammar:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SheilaZ Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 That's y'all'll :lol: I think I actually say that sometimes. :blushing: As is "Y'all'll know some trouble is y'all keep tossing that ball around in here." Said by me today to my four sons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 The worst is Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins. Sometimes it's a relief when they just don't bother: Kevin Costner in Robin Hood, for example. Meryl Streep always gets it perfect. Renee Zellweger is very good too. In casual conversation: it doesn't worry me so long as it's affectionate. Laura His accent wasn't great but IMO no one could have been a better Bert. I still laugh at bits of his performance after the 50,000,000th viewing. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommaduck Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 His accent wasn't great but IMO no one could have been a better Bert. I still laugh at bits of his performance after the 50,000,000th viewing. :lol: :iagree: He made the movie. He was just as impish growing up from the way my grandfather told it ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lolly Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 In Kentucky, y'all can indeed be singular. In fact, I have observed that the standard plural form of y'all is all y'all, as in, "We'd like to see all y'all over to our place for the cookout." Also, the possessive form is your all's, as in "I heard your all's house caught fire yesterday." :001_huh: :lol: Is Kentucky Southern? If they don't know how to properly use y'all that clinches it as a no. Probably just some Midwesterners trying to pretend they are in fact a part of the South. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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