Re: Change from 'you' to 'ya'

kane <boykane@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

I've been watching American movies and TV series lately, and noticed
that sometimes the word "you" was generally pronunced like "ya" as in
"get ya", "bet ya", "hear ya", etc. Sometimes more like "getcha",
"betcha", etc So i assume that the letter "t" is a symbol of change,

The t plus y combination does tends to slur to ch.

but I'm not sure about it.
Could anyone tell me what's that about and on what occasions should I
change you to ya?

P.S. I'm a big American English fan.

As others say, this is a matter of pronunciation. I would advise you
against writing it until you have a full grasp of the nuances, because
it can look phoney.

Vowels in an unstressed syllable tend to become schwas. If "you" is in
an unaccented position, it is said as "y@" (schwa). Sometimes this is
spelled "ya" or "yuh" because we don't have a spelling for that exact
vowel sound.

I told you before.
i TOLD yuh beFORE.

When it's in an accented position, "you" has its full "oo" sound.

Where were you?

Americans express a degree of friendliness and informality by going to
the "ya" sound. "Where WERE ya?" sounds less demanding and more of a
friendly question between equals than does the colder, possibly angry
"Where were YOU?"

This "ya" or "yuh" combines with common words to make the contractions
you noticed. There are other contractions based on "to" -- hafta, wanna,
gonna.

As you keep watching these movies, notice whether the uses appear in a
friendly, intimate setting or something formal (courtroom, employer,
enemies...).

--
Best -- Donna Richoux
An American living in the Netherlands









.

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