Conversational
Language
(#7):
Informal Variations on "Yes"
Written
language and conversational
language are
often
quite
different. In
fact, what's
normal, common,
and
acceptable
in spoken
language
is often considered to
be
unacceptable in written language.
This is one of
several
Hints
on some of the differences.
Informal Variations
on
"Yes"
In conversational American
English, several variations on
"Yes" are often heard:
Yeah.
The pronunciation for this
very
informal equivalent for
"Yes" is usually "yow":
the vowel is the same
as the vowel
in
"how" and "cow."
Some people also say
"yeah" with
a
slightly different
pronunciation:
"yaeh" or "yeh" (with
the vowel sounds of "hat" and
"get").
Uh-huh.
This is a casual variation
on "Yes." The vowel sound in
both syllables
is like the vowel sound in "but" or
"hug."
Note: The "h" at the beginning
of the second syllable is
very important. Without it, people
might understand "No"
instead of
"Yes."
Um-hmm.
This is still another casual
variation. When saying it, be
sure to pronounce
the "h" in the second syllable. Without
the "h," people might understand "No"
instead of "Yes."
Yep.
This variation is very casual.
It has the same vowel sound
as
"step."
_______________________________________________
Special Notes:
| 1. |
|
The
variations above are commonly heard
in casual,
friendly conversation, but they
are not normally
written (except in very
friendly letters or
in comics). |
| |
|
|
| 2. |
|
It's fine to
use these
variations on "yes" in
very
relaxed conversations with friends, but
they should
not be used when polite language
is
appropriate.
In such situations, any of these
variations might
seem
disrespectful. |
| |
|
|
| 3. |
|
All of these informal variations
on "Yes"
are frequently used in one-word
answers:
A: Are you tired?
B: Yeah. / Yep. / Uh-huh. / Um-hmm.
|
|
