"Ye"

OctoberFall · 23-05-2008 12:30AM #1

I was on a course in Galway last year, when I suddenly realised that people were saying "ye", instead of "you".
The first time I thought I misheard. The second time I thought it was a mistake. The 200th time, I wanted to punch the people saying it.

Is this just a Galway-Cork thing? Why the hell can't people just say "you"?

"Ye can all go home for the weekend and"?
...
"Pardon"?

Seriously though, same single syllable, why try to be "cool" about it?

<boards.ie>
Ye're Ma!
I think ye're talking crap!
</boards.ie>

Genghiz Cohen · 23-05-2008 12:32AM

Ye're Ma!
I think ye're talking crap!

Doctor DooM · 23-05-2008 12:34AM

OctoberFall wrote: »

I was on a course in Galway last year, when I suddenly realised that people were saying "ye", instead of "you".
The first time I thought I misheard. The second time I thought it was a mistake. The 200th time, I wanted to punch the people saying it.

Is this just a Galway-Cork thing? Why the hell can't people just say "you"?

"Ye can all go home for the weekend and"?
...
"Pardon"?

Seriously though, same single syllable, why try to be "cool" about it?

<boards.ie>
Ye're Ma!
I think ye're talking crap!
</boards.ie>

Um....

Wouldn't be down to accent would it?

Silverfish · 23-05-2008 12:35AM

Another thing about Galway people is they don't say 'Yer man' they say 'Yer manno'.

I say 'ye'. I got slagged about it in work, then I said 'YE CAN ALL GO **** OFF' and I got slagged again.

Holsten · 23-05-2008 12:36AM

Must be a country thing.

It is quite annoying.

Special K · 23-05-2008 12:38AM

What, as opposed to "yous" in the East/Dub??? Plus I think it's a pretty general Irish thing. "What ye/yi [as it could be pronounced] flows quicker off the tongue, so it's for ease of speech I would say. Similar to some other words.

I'd rather "ye" than "yis" or "yous". Although either of those are better than using "you" as it's difficult sometimes to distinguish between the singular and plural

Personally they should have made up a different word for you plural, perhaps whem? [A combination of we and them?]

AlmightyCushion · 23-05-2008 12:38AM

Meh I say it too when referring to a group of people. There's nothing cool about it, it's just a word that some people have used all their life.

Thrill · 23-05-2008 12:38AM

It's usually used when talking to a group of people...."what are ye on about?"
It's sort of short for "you all".

Special K · 23-05-2008 12:40AM

Plus I'd rather this didn't turn into ye batin the heads off Galway people. [As I am a Galweigian myself!] So ye can all go take a hike

[I must say I do use "yer manno" sometimes!!!!]

OctoberFall · 23-05-2008 12:40AM

SDooM wrote: »

Um....
Wouldn't be down to accent would it?

No. I'm from the north - our accent is bad enough, but I've come to be able to understand pretty much all Irish accents (even the extremities of Cork, God help me).
This is definietly a "cool" thing. They even type it.

Special K · 23-05-2008 12:42AM

Also, 'm a teacher. If I walk into the room roaring "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" the wee children may think that I'm only roaring at one of them and get confused. It is essential that they all jump a mile out of their skin and realise I am referring to all of them!!!

Hence "WHAT ARE YE DOING?!" - See, no confusion

Thrill · 23-05-2008 12:45AM

OctoberFall wrote: »

This is definietly a "cool" thing. They even type it.

It's not a cool thing at all. It's used in everyday conversation.

gerky · 23-05-2008 12:46AM

I think you'll find people who use have a more varied and thus better understanding of the English language, LINKY See:p

ronnie3585 · 23-05-2008 12:46AM

Special K wrote: »

[I must say I do use "yer manno" sometimes!!!!]

Don't forget about yer wan!

Doctor DooM · 23-05-2008 12:47AM

OctoberFall wrote: »

No. I'm from the north - our accent is bad enough, but I've come to be able to understand pretty much all Irish accents (even the extremities of Cork, God help me).
This is definietly a "cool" thing. They even type it.

Having boned a Galweigan lass (bless her cotton panties) I can definitely tell ye they use it all the time.

karen3212 · 23-05-2008 12:48AM

actually had my v old english grammar book out a few weels ago, and ye is in there. Perhaps because we have a different word in Irish as well for you plural(i just know that spelling is wrong)

Overheal · 23-05-2008 12:48AM

I use it as a plural for you

monkeyfudge · 23-05-2008 12:51AM

SDooM wrote: »

Having boned a Galweigan lass (bless her cotton panties) I can definitely tell ye they use it all the time.

"Ye better not be filming me"?

Sangre · 23-05-2008 12:58AM

Its a word. Get over it.

ye1 Audio Help /yi/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[yee] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation,
–pronoun
1. Archaic (except in some elevated or ecclesiastical prose), Literary, or British Dialect.
a. (used nominatively as the plural of thou, esp. in rhetorical, didactic, or poetic contexts, in addressing a group of persons or things): O ye of little faith; ye brooks and hills.
b. (used nominatively for the second person singular, esp. in polite address): Do ye not know me?
c. (used objectively in the second person singular or plural): I have something to tell ye. Arise, the enemy is upon ye!
2. (used with mock seriousness in an invocation, mild oath, or the like): Ye gods and little fishes!

kmart6 · 23-05-2008 01:00AM

Ain't 'ye' correct grammer?!

Latchy · 23-05-2008 01:06AM

Took me years to get used to aye as in

Q - did you enjoy the show last night ?

A - 'oh aye '

Had to remind myself i was in north west England and not Scotland /NI

Ruu_Old · 23-05-2008 01:09AM

I, you, he, she, we, ye and they is what we were thought in school.

I use ye.

Epic Tissue · 23-05-2008 01:10AM

I like it, but don't say it

randylonghorn · 23-05-2008 01:13AM

OctoberFall wrote: »

The 200th time, I wanted to punch the people saying it.

Get over it.

Next!

kmart6 · 23-05-2008 01:19AM

Ruu wrote: »

I, you, he, she, we, ye and they is what we were thought in school. I use ye.

+1

littlefriend · 23-05-2008 01:41AM

What age are you OP? I'm presuming you are an adult - its a bit weird that you never heard it before..
Ye - a cool thing to say? Rock and Roll!!!

2Scoops · 23-05-2008 02:02AM

OctoberFall wrote: »

This is definietly a "cool" thing. They even type it.

It's a real word, colloquially used in many parts of Ireland. You are the one trying to be cool by saying 'you' when referring to more than 1 person. So irritating!

Puck · 23-05-2008 02:06AM

It's been used for generations all over Ireland to distinguish from the singular "you". It improves the language. People use workarounds like this so they have a clearer distinction between singular second-person and plural second-person. In the southern states of the US "y'all" is common, in Dublin I often hear "yous". There's nothing wrong with it, it eases communication.

There is, however, something very wrong with wanting to physically harm people who speak differently from you, especially since in your case you are the "outsider" and really should try to respect the culture of your area and realise that you might have a thing or two to learn. Maybe you should seek some sort of therapy.

zuchum · 23-05-2008 02:16AM

SDooM wrote: »

Having boned a Galweigan lass (bless her cotton panties) I can definitely tell ye they use it all the time.

haha..tht made me laugh quite a lot..i dunno why..

23-05-2008 02:59AM

It seems to me like at least a west of Ireland thing if not a "culchie" thing. Never heard it while I lived in Dublin but hear it constantly out here in the sticks.

KnifeWRENCH · 23-05-2008 03:09AM

Ruu wrote: »

I, you, he, she, we, ye and they is what we were thought in school. I use ye.

Exactly, I'm amazed the word "ye" isn't known throughout Ireland! I always assumed everyone learned the same way us culchie types did!:)

"Ye"

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