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Interesting the discussion happening about "Use of the singular 'they' ".
Here is another for the members to play with:
"Ain't" is a word.
Here is another for the members to play with:
"Ain't" is a word.
Exploring the Debate: "Ain't" as a Word
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In summary, this discussion is happening about the use of the singular 'they'. StatGuy2000 noted that it's better than "wanna" and "gonna". IIRC, the people on the right side of the Big Pond have been known to use a'n't which would seem to encompass both aren't and ain't. Langauge changes over time, and the meaning of a word is its use in language.
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StatGuy2000
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"Ain't" is indeed a word. An informal or slang word, but a word nonetheless.
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StatGuy2000, I note that you said, "informal or slang", but did not say "substandard". Good for you!
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Vanadium 50
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It's better than "wanna" and "gonna". "I want to get a doctorate, and I'm going to do it! And hey, why aren't you guys taking me seriously!"
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Mark44
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According to this wiki article, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ain't, the first use of ain't was in the early 1600s, as a contraction of am not. Since amn't is difficult to wrap your tongue around, the contraction reverted to ain't. It subsequently grew to encompass many more meanings, as is not, are not, has not, have not, do not, and does not.
This seems like a very useful word in its original meaning, as a contraction of am not. We can answer a question like, "Are you ready?" with "No, I'm not." An alternative such as "No, I aren't" is ungrammatical, as is the even worse "No, I isn't." Although "No, I'm not," is grammatically correct, the lack of a first person counterpart to "you aren't" and "she isn't" must be confusing to people attempting to learn the language.
This seems like a very useful word in its original meaning, as a contraction of am not. We can answer a question like, "Are you ready?" with "No, I'm not." An alternative such as "No, I aren't" is ungrammatical, as is the even worse "No, I isn't." Although "No, I'm not," is grammatically correct, the lack of a first person counterpart to "you aren't" and "she isn't" must be confusing to people attempting to learn the language.
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Mark44 said:
I would never say "I aren't", but I would say "aren't I?". Funny, ain't it!
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jtbell
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IIRC the people on the right side of the Big Pond have been known to use a'n't which would seem to encompass both aren't and ain't.
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paulo84
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Langauge changes over time, and the meaning of a word is its use in language.
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Psinter
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Ain't nobody going to argue with you.Vanadium 50 said:
By the way, this thread made me discover a song which I now love. Ain't nobody.
Original song traced to... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ain't_Nobody
1. Why is there a debate about the word "ain't"?
The word "ain't" has been a topic of debate for many years because it is considered to be a nonstandard or colloquial word. Some people believe that it should not be used in formal language or writing, while others argue that it is a valid part of the English language.
2. Is "ain't" considered a proper word?
This is a matter of perspective and personal opinion. Some dictionaries have included "ain't" as a valid word, while others have labeled it as slang. Ultimately, the use of "ain't" is a matter of context and personal preference.
3. What are the origins of the word "ain't"?
The word "ain't" can be traced back to the 1700s in English literature. It is a contraction of the words "am not" and "are not" and was commonly used in informal speech and writing. It has since evolved to also mean "is not" and "have not".
4. How is the word "ain't" perceived in different regions and cultures?
The perception of "ain't" varies across regions and cultures. In some areas, it is considered to be a normal part of everyday speech, while in others it is seen as uneducated or improper. In some cultures, it is used as a marker of dialect or regional identity.
5. What is the current status of "ain't" in the English language?
As language is constantly evolving, the use of "ain't" has become more accepted in informal settings and everyday speech. However, it is still viewed as nonstandard in formal contexts and may be considered inappropriate in certain situations. Ultimately, the use of "ain't" is a matter of personal choice and should be used appropriately in different settings.
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