Lesson 4 | You
Listen to this: “Do ya wanna walk in the park?”
Did you hear the change? First you probably heard “wanna” in “Do you wanna walk in the park?” But did ya hear the change to the word “you”? Did ya?
Do ya wanna walk in the park?
This is an incredibly simple and common change. “You” changes to “ya.”
Ya ready to learn it?
Let’s look closer at this common change, listen.
Listen
I'll see ya at the park.
Read
I'll see ya at the park.
Exercise 1
For practice, read these sentences slowly.
(Remember you almost never write these changes, the sentences you see here are just to help your practice saying them.)
I'll see ya later.
I'll see ya in an hour.
I'll see ya in a minute.
I'll see ya tanight.
I'll see ya tamorrow.
Repeat (reading)
Now say these sentences quickly.
I'll see ya later.
I'll see ya in an hour.
I'll see ya in a minute.
I'll see ya tanight.
I'll see ya tamorrow.
Exercise 2
When I speak slowly and clearly, I say “you.” When I speak in a normal conversation, I often say “ya.”
Read and repeat these sentences slowly for practice.
I wanna show ya the park.
I wanna buy ya lunch.
I wanna buy ya some gas.
I wanna buy ya something ta eat.
I wanna buy ya a smoothie.
Repeat (listening)
Now repeat these sentences quickly.
I wanna show ya the park.
I wanna buy ya lunch.
I wanna buy ya some gas.
I wanna buy ya something ta eat.
I wanna buy ya a smoothie.
Exercise 3
You also change “you” to “ya” when asking simple questions.
Are ya gunna take a bus?
Are ya gunna get some gas?
Are ya gunna take the highway?
Are ya gunna park by the house?
Are ya gunna work outside taday?
Read
Now you try asking these questions.
Are ya gunna take a bus?
Are ya gunna get some gas?
Are ya gunna take the highway?
Are ya gunna park by the house?
Are ya gunna work outside taday?
Exercise 4
Now, change these questions using “ya” and “gunna.” Say them slowly.
Are you going to eat dinner?
Are you going to take a vacation?
Are you going to go home?
Are you going to see a movie?
Are you going to get a hamburger?
Repeat
Now listen to these sentences and say them quickly
Are ya gunna eat dinner?
Are ya gunna take a vacation?
Are ya gunna go home?
Are ya gunna see a movie?
Are ya gunna get a hamburger?
Exercise 5
Okay, so you understand the change. Listen to these sentences and see if you can understand and repeat them slowly.
I'll talk ta ya later.
She likes ya.
See ya tamorrow
Are ya gunna go now?
Do ya wanna dance?
Read and Change
Here are some sentences, read them and change them for normal conversation.
Are you going to walk home?
Do you have any money?
He doesn't like you much.
I want to take you to dinner.
Will you be home tomorrow?
Comment
One thing that you should understand. If you only use the word “ya” when you talk, you might sound uneducated. You must use the “ya” change at the right time. When speaking clearly or in formal situations, you'll usually say “you.” For example, at work, you might say, “Will I see you at the meeting?”
But in situations with friends, I usually say, “Will I see ya at the restaurant?”
You must be able to use both pronunciations.
Final Conversation
Okay, listen to this conversation for the changes that you’ve learned.
Hey, how ya doing?
Ya know, I'm in a hurry. Are ya gunna go downtown, I need a ride?
Sure, I was gunna leave in a minute for work.
Great, I don't wanna be late taday.
Okay, see ya in a minute.
Review
Let's review the changes you've learned so far.
I'm going ta the store.
He went inta the store
He put it onta the table.
She came outa the house angry.
I wanna eat dinner.
She wansta see me.
I'll call ya later.
I'm gunna go home.
Do ya wanna dance?