Why do Southerners use the "Y'all" word when they speak English? There is no such word in the English Language

Question

Is "Y'all" an English word? Why do they use it?

Answer 1

In colloquial speech and informal conversations, "y'all" is perfectly acceptable in Southern dialects. It's simply a matter of register: are you speaking formally or informally? Are you addressing an international group or fellow Southerners? The answer depends upon the situation. Incidentally, the word "y'all" IS in the dictionary. I just looked it up in my "Webster's New Universal Unabridge Dictionary" and found it. It lists it as a pronoun and does not mention that it is slang or colloquial.

Basically, the reason why some Southerners use "y'all" instead of just "you" (and why some Yankees use "yous guys" instead of "you") is because English no longer has a unique plural form of "you"; hence, it is difficult to distinguish between "you" singular and "you" plural unless additional information is given. Hence, various regions and various countries have come up with different solutions that are used in that region's dialect.

Once upon a time, we did have a familiar form, "thou", but increasing formality of language among aristocrats made the use of "thou" seem overly familiar in tone, so it was lost. The unfortunate result is that we no longer have distinct singular and formal forms as other languages do (e.g. French "tu" vs. "vous").

As someone from Texas with family roots in Mississippi, I have no discernable Southern accent (and often get accused of being from elsewhere, even up North), and I consider myself educated. (I have a Master's degree in French, for example.) Nevertheless, I do not find "y'all" offensive or annoying when used in informal speech. It is not uncommon for educated people who use only minimal amounts of slang and who use proper grammar to use the word "y'all" in informal conversation here. In fact, strangely enough, I find that "you all" sounds more hickish than "y'all" does, perhaps because of the drawl people use to say "you all" that I don't necessarily hear when people say "y'all".

On the other hand, I find "yous guys" immensely annoying. But this is probably because I associate (perhaps erroneously) "yous guys" with a particular type of accent (an annoyingly nasal one) that I dislike and because I assume that people who use it are generally ignorant of grammar and incapable of educated speech. But I may be wrong. It could be that "yous guys" sounds every bit as acceptable to the Northern ear as "y'all" sounds to the Southern ear. It depends upon how the expression is used, and more importantly, by whom, I suspect.

Incidentally, in informal speech, most Texans I know personally would say "All of you are invited to the party" but might also say either "So what are y'all doing this afternoon?" or "So what are you all doing this afternoon?", the latter of which, of course, is merely the uncontracted form of "y'all".

Personal note: When I travel to Mississippi to visit relatives, however, I unintentionally soften my accent, and I tend to use "y'all" a bit more frequently. For some reason, in the Deep South, "y'all" sounds more simpatico, if you know what I mean.

Answer 2

Im from the south and not everyone here uses the word "y'all" and Im sure people from other parts of the country use the word. Dialect is different wherever you go. Some words you may use may sound funny to us.

Answer 3

As many of those who answered this question, Y'all you all. You can be singular or plural. Therefore, you all is redundant. (like I saw with my own eyes here just i saw would be sufficient. What else do we see with.

May be people say y'all because they do not know you can mean more than one person.

Maybe it is attempt to emphasise.

I think if you want to stress that you mean more than one person, you should say say "all of you". Example: y'all are invited to the party" "All of you are invited to the party"

I would like to hear readers' views on this.

Answer 4

Alot of words are not in the English language but people still use them. (Example: Wad up, yo Homey, mad much, watz up lil mama, and you OD) Its just a way for people to shotren words to a extent and not only people in the south use it alot of people all over use the word Y'all. so stop making a big deal I know there are words that u say that your Mama dont understand.

Answer 5

you are wrong. "y'all" is an English word. it's a contraction of the words "you and all". we use it because it describes what we're trying to say. you must be a yankee. ADDITIONAL: ps Y'all is always plural. it's NEVER singular! only people who don't know, think that it can refer to one person. the "all" in Y'all means everyone.

Answer 6

It's because English doesn't have a plural you, technically you in English can be used as plural but we don't generally like to use it so. Here in my section of the country, Philadelphia, instead of "y'all", you hear "youse", as in "Hey youse guys".

As usual Wikiwedia has a good article on it, but I assure youse guys that we modern Pennsylvanians don't use you-uns as a plural you (except maybe in Pennsyltucky/Central PA)

Answer 7

It's slang. Y'all...you all...waste of breathe. Southerner(Yep...I'm from down south) know English. Yes, we can speak properly, but shortening is our specialty. Heh...You probably say "y'all" too...admit it.

Answer 8

The difference between a northern girl and a southern girl is;
Northern Girl, you may
Southern Girl, y'all may

Answer 9

I think that its fine to use local dialects, every language has them.

I should add that I do not approve of Ebonics because it teaches children incorrectly and causes them to have a lot of problems in Life.

Answer 10

Vernacular