Yinzer, Yinzburgh ("Pittsburgh"). "Yinz" appears when people want to emphasize that
they are inhabitants of Pittsburgh or originate from this city and turn to the world as
"Pittsburgh citizens". The given lexeme indicates that someone is a kind of insider.
The use of lexeme "yinz" in the speech of the inhabitants of the city of Pittsburgh
today is additionally rethought. Along with using it as a personal pronoun, "yinz" is
also used as an adjective, prefix or suffix. In these cases, "yinz" means "Pittsburgh" or
"typical for Pittsburgh".
The word yinzer indicates a lack of sophistication, although the term is currently
being used in different ways. Senior inhabitants of Pittsburgh use the dialect more often
than junior ones. In addition, men are more likely to use a dialect than women, perhaps
because of a stronger interest in displaying local identity [19].
The next lexeme which can be mentioned in the text of the Christmas carol is
"nebby".
neb − means to put one’s ‘neb’ [nose] into a discourse or argument intrusively or
impertinently; to pry, to nose around; hence v. phr neb out to mind one’s own business;
n. busybody;
neb−nose or nebby−nose (also nebshit) − is used in the meaning of the kind of
person who is always poking into people’s affairs;
nebby adj. − is understood as given to prying into the affairs of others; nosy.
Jaggoff is one more lexical unit which is the quintessential example of
Pittsburgh Speech and means "a fool".
Jagoff: n. – anyone who pisses off a Pittsburger;
The scientists note that the national attention to the word "jagoff" − wag has
increased for the past some years. The word "jag" means "poke" or "stab", where
jagger (thorn, burr), jaggerbush (thorny bush), jag somebody off (irritate), jag around
(fool around, goof off), and jagoff (a derogatory term for someone stupid or inept) are
derived from it. Yinz, which is in use in all parts of Appalachian Mountins (such as
you’uns) os also of Irish origins. «This word is related to the cirtain type of the working
class both men and women. The wide usage of this lexical unit began in 2000» [18].
Grammar Characteristics. Grammar constructions of Pittsburgh Speech are also
of great importance and interest. They are unique and used by Pittsburgh citizens only.
need, want, or like + past participle: He don't want you ascared
Derived from: He doesn't want you to be afraid
There are some more examples of their usage: The grass needs cutting or The
grass needs to be cut; Babies like cuddling or Babies like to be cuddled; The car needs
washing or The car needs to be washed; The cat wants petting or The cat wants to be
petted [20].
Need + past participle is the most popular construction as want + past participle
and like + past participle. The forms are similar.
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