I've tried to have another blog, but it doesn't work. I don't find my posts very interesting on my other blog, because I was limited in topics. I have essays that are good, but they'll likely be used for school assignments one day, and I don't want to be accused of plaigarism. So here I am.
I'm going blog something about me every day. It might be a thought I had on some article, it might be about some odd habit I have. But this is going to be about me and my thoughts. So, let's start with the title of this blog post. Specifically, the second word.
Y'all. Some people type it as "ya'll", some as "y'all". I am a y'aller. Why?
In many contractions, the apostrophe stands for a letter that is missing. Don't(do n*t), shouldn't(should n*t), and ne'er(you may not consider this valid, but it still proves a point). Some contractions have apostrophes that stand for two letters- can't(can **t) is a good example. Some just don't quite makes sense- won't(wo n*t? I think not). In general, though, the apostrophe stands for one or two letter(s). This is why I place the apostrophe in y'all where I do. Y** all.
Someone pointed out that "y'all" could mean "ya all". Honey, if you're gonna get that there southern, then go 'head and place your apostrophe where you want, 'cause if it's that southern a tone, it ain't gonna matter. Not that that's a bad suggestion; it's just not how you hear "y'all" interpreted. If you think of it as "ya all", then by all means, write it like that. It's not a crime, and I won't judge you, unless you happen to be a certain person with a moose....but that's a different day's blog. Maybe tomorrow.
Type it like you want, but as for me? Bye, y'all!
I am being converted, if not by your logic, then by my iphone, which changes my ya'lls to y'alls.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't won't = will not? And , no, it does not make sense.
Speaking of things that do not make sense, I would never write "Does not the contraction 'won't' equal 'will not'?".
Contractions are a matter of convenience. And just like convenience food, convenience stores, and convenience packs, they come with a cost. It may not be in the form of excess calories, or excess money, but in the form of degradation of the usage of formal language. I was told one time that a formal term or research paper should never contain contractions.
Keep writing about whatever floats your boat, trips your trigger or gets a rise! Whatever it is you choose to write about will enjoyable!
It's funny- my post that is in the draft stage was about the degrading English language. I see that you have picked up on my mind-reading abilities. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure whether I necessarily agree that contractions are a bad idea when it comes to communication in every day life, but some professors do not want contractions. Personally, contractions may not sound as fancy in a research paper, but they help to get the point across. I need to ask Moose Man. Are you reading this, MM? He's yet to grade my paper:) Just kidding, MM.
Your comments make my day. Post soon, oh Tishmeister!