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Thread: Correct use of "aye"? (Scottish)

  1. #1
    meerkat30 is offline Newbie
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    Default Correct use of "aye"? (Scottish)

    Hello,

    Could someone (especially native Scots!) please tell me if I'm using "aye, aye" (as in "yes") correctly?

    A: Would you like to be my friend?
    B: Aye, aye.

    Is "aye, aye" a phrase that's heard frequently in Scotland?

    Thanks for any help!

  2. #2
    Tdol is online now Editor, UsingEnglish.com
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    Default Re: Correct use of "aye"? (Scottish)

    To me (English), one aye is enough- two can be used to mean something like I understand and will comply.

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    Rover_KE is offline Moderator
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    Default Re: Correct use of "aye"? (Scottish)

    I agree with Tdol.

    'Aye aye, cap'n' means ''Roger, captain' (message received and understood).

    Rover

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    meerkat30 is offline Newbie
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    Default Re: Correct use of "aye"? (Scottish)

    Thanks for your replies!

    What about in a non-nautical sense, in the same way you might say, "yes. Yes."?

    A: "Do you remember the fun we used to have?"
    B: "Aye. Aye."

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    Nightmare85 is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Correct use of "aye"? (Scottish)

    **Neither a teacher nor a native speaker.**

    Just a guess:
    "Aye. Aye." -> "Yes, sure."/"Yes, of course."

    I don't think it really means "Yes, yes."

    As said: Just a guess...

    Cheers!
    merzaht_m likes this.

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    Default Re: Correct use of "aye"? (Scottish)

    I wonder if the etymology of "aye" is some Scandinavian or Gaelic verb meaning "is."

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    Default Re: Correct use of "aye"? (Scottish)

    Quote Originally Posted by Tdol View Post
    To me (English), one aye is enough- two can be used to mean something like I understand and will comply.
    Spoken like a sailor!
    I'm not a teacher, but I write for a living. Please don't ask me about 2nd conditionals, but I'm a safe bet for what reads well in (American) English.

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    Tdol is online now Editor, UsingEnglish.com
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    Default Re: Correct use of "aye"? (Scottish)

    Quote Originally Posted by meerkat30 View Post
    Thanks for your replies!

    What about in a non-nautical sense, in the same way you might say, "yes. Yes."?

    A: "Do you remember the fun we used to have?"
    B: "Aye. Aye."
    Possibly, but as it has another usage which yes yes doesn't, it's not exactly the same.

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