Re: yeah (was Re: Moraic codas)

In a message dated 7/18/01 9:13:59 AM, and_yo@HOTMAIL.COM writes:

<< What? As I've said, I pronounce "yeah" as [jE:_@] and "yea" as [je_i]. I'm
under the impression that "yay" is merely a variant spelling of "yea" - if
there's any distinction (in meaning or pronunciation) between them, I'm
blissfully unaware of it. I expect to see "yea" in an archaizing or literary
context, and "yay" in a slangy or everyday context. >>

    "Yay" is not a variant spelling of "yea".  "Yea" and "yay" are two
completely different words.  When I, or anyone else I know down here, hear's
[jej], we immediately think of, you know, "Yaaaaaaaaay!  Happy!"  If someone
were to say "Yea, verily", though, we certainly wouldn't take it to mean
"yay", but "yes".  This isn't something new; it has been this way all my
life.  As has "yea" been dead all my life, as it has during the lives of my
parents.  It lives only in Shakespeare and Nathaniel Hawthorne and other such
works.  If you don't believe me, or can't fathom it, just watch the Simpsons.
 Off hand, I can think of the episode where they go to Itchy and Scratchy
Land.  They say "Yaaaaaaaaaaaaay!" when they think Marge has finally conceded.

-David