LL-L "Pronouns" 2002.09.15 (01) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

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 L O W L A N D S - L * 15.SEP.2002 (01) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
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From: Charles Keith Collins <ckcollin at indiana.edu>
Subject: Appalachian pronouns

Howd'ye!  As a native of the southern Appalachians I have always wondered
why babies and small children are given the pronoun "it".  This also seems
to apply to small, cute pets but not livestock.  Somewhere near school
age, a child receives a gender-appropriate pronoun (at least in my
experience).

Likewise, the use of "ye" is still alive and strong, at least in my
family.  Upon arriving for a visit, my family and I are often greeted with
"How are ye?" or even "How do ye?"  It has occured to me that maybe this
is a variant of "you" as it is often pronounced in the south "yuh" or
"ya" (more or less).  Any thoughts on this from you'ns?

Which brings me to "you'ns" (or maybe best spelled "yuns" with short "u",
contraction of "you ones" I think).
Any reason why this should be the plural pronoun of choice and not "y'all"
as it is in most of the rest of the south (and increasingly elsewhere)?

This is my first post, and I hope any infractions will be corrected and
forgiven.

I thank'ee kindly,

Keith Collins

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