Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

YA

'''YA''', '''yA''', or '''Ya''' may refer to: In language and scripts:
  • [[Ya (Cyrillic letter)]]
  • [[Ya (Javanese letter)]]
  • [[Ya (kana)]]
  • [[Yāʾ (Arabic letter)]]
  • [[Ya (Hangul letter)]]
  • [[Ya (Javanese arrow)]]
  • [[Ya (Arabic vocative particle)]]
In literature and media:
  • [[Young adult (genre)]], a genre of fiction and nonfiction for adolescents
  • [[YoungArts (program)]]
  • [[Yet another (title prefix)]]
In business and finance:
  • [[Year ago (financial term)]]
  • [[yA Bank]]
  • [[Years ago (historical term)]]
In places and geography:
  • [[Ya River]]
  • [[Yemen Arab Republic]]
In military designations:
  • [[Ash barge (YA)]]
  • [[Yellow Armor (gaming)]]
In slang and informal usage:
  • [[Ya (pronoun for "you")]]
  • [[Youth Aids (organization)]]
For other uses, see [[YA (disambiguation)]].

Language and scripts

Ya (Cyrillic letter)

Ya (Я, я) is the 33rd and final letter of the modern Cyrillic alphabet. It functions as a , primarily representing the /ja/ when positioned at the beginning of a word or after another vowel, while after a , it denotes a palatalized (softened) followed by the /a/. This dual role contributes to the palatalization system in , where consonants preceding Я are pronounced with a softer . Visually, the uppercase form Я resembles a backwards Latin , while the lowercase я appears as a small, curly shape similar to a vee with a descending . In usage, Я appears in common words such as "яблоко" (, meaning apple), where it initiates the word with a clear /ja/ , and "пять" (pyat', meaning five), illustrating its softening effect after a consonant. Unstressed instances of я may reduce to sounds like [ɪ] or [ɛ], as in "лягушка" (lyagushka, meaning ), but its core value remains tied to the /ja/ or softened /a/. The letter's historical roots trace to the 9th-century development of the by disciples of , adapting the Greek and elements of the Glagolitic alphabet for . In , Я evolved to represent the iotated vowel /ja/, emerging from ligatures combining (for the /j/ glide) and alpha (for /a/), distinct from but related to letters like Ю (/ju/), which shares a similar iotated structure. This form solidified in early texts to accommodate the palatal sounds prevalent in Proto-Slavic, ensuring accurate transcription of religious and literary works.

Ya (Javanese letter)

Ya (ꦪ) is the 14th in the Aksara Nglegena set of the Javanese , a used primarily for the spoken in . As a base , it inherently carries the sound /a/, forming the /ja/, but its consonantal value is /j/, akin to the 'y' in English "," though it can approximate /y/ in certain phonetic contexts. The letter is encoded in as U+A9AA (JAVANESE LETTER YA). In the structure of the , ꦪ belongs to the core set of 20 Aksara Nglegena consonants, which form the foundation for writing native Javanese . It appears in its primary nglegena form ꦪ at the start of a or when standing alone, while in consonant clusters, it takes a pasangan (subjoined) form, typically rendered as a distinctive curl below the preceding to indicate /j/ without an inherent vowel. Unlike some other , ꦪ lacks a murda variant, which are aspirated or forms used for loanwords and titles. These adaptations allow ꦪ to fit various phonetic environments, such as in words like yasa () or siyara (). Historically, the , including ꦪ, derives from the ancient of , evolving through the intermediate used in from the 8th to 16th centuries for inscriptions and literature. This lineage traces back to the in southern , adapted for Austronesian languages in . The letter has been employed in traditional Javanese texts on palm-leaf manuscripts (lontar), including poetic serat and narratives central to cultural performances like shadow puppetry, where Javanese script recorded dialogues and stories. In modern contexts, ꦪ continues to be used within for writing Javanese words, names, and cultural materials, particularly in and regions, despite the dominance of the since the 1940s. Unicode support since version 5.2 (2009) has facilitated digital revival through fonts, keyboards, and software compliant with Indonesian standards like 9048:2021. The form of ꦪ in Javanese closely resembles the ya letter in the related , reflecting their shared Brahmic heritage.

Ya (kana)

Ya (kana: や, ゃ; : ヤ, ャ) is a syllabic character in the , representing the /ja/ in modern standard pronunciation, transcribed in romaji as "ya". The hiragana form や and its small variant ゃ are typically used for native Japanese words, grammatical functions, and inflections, while the ヤ and ャ are employed for foreign loanwords, , emphasis, and technical terms. Both scripts derive from ancient adapted phonetically, forming part of the syllabaries that complement in written . The shapes of や and ヤ originated in the system of the (8th century), an early method of writing Japanese phonetically using for their sound values rather than meanings; specifically, the 也 (pronounced "ya" in ancient ) was commonly selected to denote the /ja/ sound, as seen in examples like 也麻 for "yama" (mountain). Over time, during the (9th–10th centuries), hiragana や evolved from cursive, grass-script (sōsho) styles of , primarily used by court women, while ヤ developed from abbreviated, angular parts of , often by Buddhist monks for annotations. The hiragana や is drawn in three strokes—starting with a leftward-curving horizontal line, followed by a small hooked above to the right, and ending with a diagonal line slanting down from right to left—while the katakana ヤ uses two strokes: a short horizontal line followed by a vertical line with a rightward hook at the bottom. In everyday usage, や appears in native vocabulary such as やま (yama, mountain), written with kanji as 山. Katakana ヤ features in loanwords, for instance ヤード (yādo, yard, as in measurement). The small forms ゃ and ャ combine with preceding kana to form palatalized sounds (yōon), like きゃ (kya) from き + ゃ. In the traditional gojūon ordering of kana, ya occupies the eighth row in the sequence of consonant-vowel combinations, following the ma-mi-mu-me-mo row and preceding ra-ri-ru-re-ro. Additionally, hiragana や serves as okurigana in verbs and i-adjectives, providing the phonetic reading and enabling inflection; for example, in 悔やむ (kuyamu, to regret), the やむ follows the kanji 悔 to clarify the kun'yomi and support conjugations like past tense 悔やんだ (kuyanda). The kana ya also relates to the native word for , 矢 (ya).

Yāʾ (Arabic letter)

Yāʾ is the twenty-eighth and final letter of the , an script used primarily for writing the language. The letter's name is pronounced as /jaː/, and it represents the sound /j/ (similar to the "y" in English "yes") or serves as a for the long vowel /iː/ (like the "ee" in "see"). In its isolated form, it appears as ي; in initial position as يـ; in medial as ـيـ; and in final as ـي. As a consonant, yāʾ produces the /j/ sound, while as a semi-vowel, it indicates the /aj/ or functions to elongate the short /i/ into /iː/. In final position, yāʾ can substitute for alif maqṣūrah (ى), a variant form representing /aː/ without dots, particularly in certain grammatical contexts or to avoid ambiguity in . This makes yāʾ essential in Quranic , where precise elongation and consonant affect tajwīd rules, as well as in for denoting possession or plurality, as in كِتَابِي (kitābī, "my book"). The letter traces its origins to the Phoenician , an ancient letter representing /y/, which evolved through the script into the form used in the around the . In the numerological system, yāʾ holds the value of 10, a traditional ordering that predates the modern alphabetical sequence and influences fields like and . For example, the word يَوْم (yawm, "day") begins with yāʾ, illustrating its common use in everyday vocabulary. The letter also appears in the Arabic vocative particle yā, used to address someone directly, as in yā sayyidī ("O my lord").

Ya (Hangul letter)

Ya (ㅑ) is a vowel letter in the Korean alphabet, , representing the sound /ja/ (IPA: [ja]), similar to the "ya" in the English word "yard". It is one of the ten basic s in modern and is formed by adding a second dot to the right of the basic vowel ㅏ (a), which itself derives from the vertical line ㅣ (i) with one dot added; this systematic derivation reflects the featural design of vowels. The letter ㅑ was part of the original set of letters created in 1443 by King Sejong the Great and his scholars as part of the , the document promulgating to provide a phonetic script accessible to common people, improving upon earlier systems like for annotating Chinese texts. Originally, included 28 letters (17 consonants and 11 vowels), but ㅑ has remained among the core 24 basic letters used today. In usage, ㅑ appears in syllable blocks such as 야 (ya), where it combines with the initial consonant ㅇ (a silent placeholder) or other consonants; for example, it forms the syllable 약 in 약속 (yaksok), meaning "promise". The stroke order for writing ㅑ follows Hangul conventions: first, draw the vertical line from top to bottom, then add the upper dot to the right, followed by the lower dot. In contemporary South Korean , ㅑ plays a key role in the -only (Hangul jamo), used exclusively for native words and adapted loanwords, contributing to the script's efficiency and phonetic accuracy. It belongs to the y-series of vowels, akin to ㅕ (), which similarly incorporate a /j/ glide.

Ya (Japanese arrow)

In , "ya" (矢) refers to an , particularly in the context of , the traditional art of , where it denotes the shot from a (bow). The term encompasses both historical and modern arrows crafted for , often featuring asymmetrical designs to suit the unique draw of the bow. Arrows hold deep cultural significance in Japanese mythology and traditions, symbolizing protection and ; for instance, in tales from the , the sun goddess arms herself with quivers of arrows during conflicts with her brother Susanoo, the storm god, highlighting archery's role in cosmic balance. Traditional ya are fletched with feathers from birds like the or , believed to imbue the arrow with spiritual qualities and ensure straight flight, a practice rooted in reverence for nature. Historically, ya were essential in warfare, where mounted archers employed them for rapid volleys in battles, and in festivals such as , a ritual horseback archery performance dedicated to , the god of war and archery. Specialized types include , turnip-headed whistling arrows used in these ceremonies to signal starts or ward off evil spirits, their distinctive whistle echoing through shrine grounds during events like those at . In modern contexts, ya are integral to as a competitive and meditative , with arrows now often made from carbon or aluminum alongside traditional for international tournaments. The for ya, 矢 ( U+77E2), is pronounced "ya" and appears in compounds like , with its phonetic representation in hiragana linking to broader usage.

Ya (Arabic vocative particle)

In Arabic grammar, the particle yā (يَا), often transliterated as "ya," functions as a vocative interjection to directly address a person, group, or entity, translating to "O" or "hey" in English. It precedes a noun or noun phrase, which assumes the genitive case in formal constructions, as seen in examples like yā sayyidī ("O my lord") or yā muḥammadu ("O Muhammad"). This particle emphasizes immediacy and is optional in informal contexts but obligatory in elevated or literary styles to mark the addressee clearly. Etymologically, yā originates from a Proto-Semitic deictic or pronominal base *ʔayy-, reflecting an ancient mechanism for highlighting or pointing to the addressee in direct speech. This form appears across , including and , where particles serve similar vocative roles, underscoring its deep roots in the family's grammatical traditions. In , it is formed using the letter yāʾ. In , yā features prominently in the , where it addresses prophets, believers, and communities for exhortation or revelation, such as yā ayyuhā alladhīna āmanū ("O you who believe"), appearing over 300 times to frame divine commands. It also permeates pre-Islamic and , invoking heroes, lovers, or abstract concepts to heighten emotional or rhetorical impact, as in odes by poets like . In and colloquial dialects, yā remains ubiquitous in everyday speech for polite or emphatic calls, like yā walad ("hey boy") in varieties. Dialectal variations extend its expressive range; in , yaʾ often contracts or intensifies for familiarity or humor in films and conversation, functioning beyond strict vocatives to mark activation or emphasis, as in ya ʿamū (" uncle"). Similarly, in Gulf dialects, it pairs with exclamative forms for heightened emotion. Across , parallels persist: borrows ya from for slangy direct address, as in ya reʿa (" friend"), reflecting ongoing linguistic .

Literature and media

Young adult (genre)

Young adult (YA) literature is a of primarily targeted at readers aged 12 to 18, often featuring adolescent protagonists navigating coming-of-age experiences such as , relationships, romance, and social challenges. These works typically address themes relevant to teenage life, including dynamics, , and growth, while mirroring the emotional intensity and perspective of youth. The genre emerged in the mid-1960s as a distinct category, with S.E. Hinton's (1967) marking a pivotal moment by introducing realistic portrayals of teenage struggles like and from a teen's viewpoint. It gained significant momentum in the 2000s through blockbuster series such as J.K. Rowling's (beginning 1997) and Stephenie Meyer's Twilight (2005), which blended fantasy elements with relatable adolescent themes and propelled YA into mainstream popularity. Key characteristics of YA literature include fast-paced narratives, often told in the first person to foster intimacy with the protagonist's inner world, and a wide array of subgenres such as fantasy, dystopian, realistic fiction, and romance. Examples span epic fantasies like by to contemporary realistic stories addressing . In the U.S., the children's and YA market segment reached approximately $2.5 billion in sales in 2023, reflecting steady growth driven by digital platforms and diverse storytelling. YA literature has profoundly influenced culture through widespread adaptations into films and television series, such as the movies and Twilight films, which expanded its audience beyond teens. Prestigious awards like the Michael L. Printz Award, established in 1999 by the , recognize literary excellence in YA works, elevating titles that prioritize innovative storytelling and thematic depth. Since around 2010, the genre has evolved to incorporate greater diversity, including increased LGBTQ+ representation in characters and narratives, responding to calls for inclusive voices and broadening its appeal.

YoungArts (program)

YoungArts is a competitive and program founded in 1981 by Lin Arison and as the National Foundation for the Advancement in the Arts, renamed the National YoungArts Foundation in 2012, and rebranded as in 2021. It targets emerging U.S. artists aged 15 to 18 (or in grades 10 through 12) across 10 disciplines: , , , , , music theater, , theater, , and writing. The program identifies exceptional talent through an annual national competition, providing financial awards, professional development, and lifelong support to nurture artistic potential. The structure of YoungArts centers on its annual application process, which receives thousands of submissions and selects hundreds of winners each year. Award recipients receive cash prizes ranging from $250 to $10,000, along with invitations to intensive workshops such as National YoungArts Week, where participants collaborate with peers and mentors across disciplines. Alumni gain ongoing benefits, including eligibility for nomination as U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts—a YoungArts has administered since 1982—and access to resources like microgrants and residencies. Since its inception, has supported thousands of artists, contributing to an influential alumni network that includes acclaimed figures such as , a 1983 theater winner. The organization partners with cultural institutions like the Miami Light Project to present alumni work and foster collaborations. In recent years, particularly post-COVID-19, YoungArts has expanded virtual components, including the online platform YoungArts Post for alumni networking and VirtualARC workshops on professional skills. The organization emphasizes support for underrepresented communities through equity-focused initiatives and diverse artist selection. This aligns with broader efforts in creative expression, such as in , by empowering emerging voices in writing and related fields.

Yet another (title prefix)

"Yet another", often abbreviated as YA, serves as an ironic and humorous prefix in titles, particularly within technology and software projects, to playfully acknowledge the proliferation of similar endeavors and the lack of novelty in the named work. This qualifier implies an abundance of existing alternatives, often used self-deprecatingly to highlight redundancy without diminishing the value of the contribution. For instance, the Unix tool , short for , released in 1975, exemplifies this convention by nodding to prior compiler tools while introducing its own parser generator capabilities. The origins of this prefix trace back to early at institutions like , where it gained traction through the , a glossary of computing terminology first compiled by Raphael Finkel in 1975 and later maintained and expanded by figures such as . In the , "YA" is explicitly defined as expanding to "Yet Another" in acronyms, directly inspired by yacc's naming, which underscored the iterative nature of in the 1970s Unix environment. This usage proliferated as computing communities embraced the phrase to cope with the rapid emergence of tools addressing comparable problems, embedding it deeply in open-source and programming lore. Notable examples abound in software repositories, such as Yet Another Git Tutorial (YAGIT), a guide demystifying workflows for newcomers, and Yet Another Markdown Parser like markd, a Crystal-based implementation compliant with CommonMark standards for efficient text processing. These appear frequently on platforms like , where developers prefix project names with "yet another" to signal awareness of the crowded ecosystem, as seen in tools like YAEP () for syntactic analysis. In contemporary tech culture as of 2025, the prefix fosters self-deprecating humor, allowing creators to engage playfully with community expectations amid endless iterations of blogs, frameworks, and utilities—evident in titles like "Yet Another Blog" for web development reflections on platforms such as WordPress or static site generators. This convention reinforces camaraderie in hacker and developer circles, emphasizing collaboration over originality in an era of abundant open-source contributions.

Business and finance

Year ago (financial term)

In financial reporting and analysis, "YA" serves as a for "year ago," referring to or metrics from the immediately preceding to enable straightforward comparisons with current-period figures. This notation is particularly useful for denoting prior-year benchmarks without verbose descriptions, such as in the phrase " YA: $1.2B," which indicates the reported for the previous year. The term streamlines communication in contexts where space and clarity are prioritized, distinguishing it from fuller expressions like "prior year" while maintaining precision. The is widely employed in earnings reports, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission () filings, and notes to support year-over-year (YoY) comparisons, a key practice for assessing performance trends and growth rates. For example, ' fiscal year 2023 second-quarter earnings presentation frequently uses "vs YA" to contrast current metrics against those from the prior year, highlighting changes in net sales and other indicators. Similarly, Celsius Holdings' fourth-quarter 2023 results reference "+140% vs. YA" for incremental sales growth, illustrating its role in quantifying category performance. In more formal documents like 10-K annual reports, while "YA" may appear in exhibits or summaries, the full phrase "year-ago period" is often used, as seen in Apple's filings comparing quarterly revenues to the "year-ago quarter." This usage aligns with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles () requirements under ASC 205-10, which mandate the presentation of comparative to provide context for current results, though the specific itself is a conventional rather than a prescribed standard. The prevalence of "YA" has grown alongside the rise of digital financial tools, such as Excel-based dashboards and reporting software, particularly after , when interactive platforms facilitated rapid YoY visualizations for investors and executives. This evolution reflects broader shifts toward concise, data-driven communication in , distinct from multi-year historical references like "years ago" in non-business contexts.

yA Bank

yA Bank is a digital-only banking service in , established in 2006 as a niche provider of consumer products targeted at young adults. Acquired by Resurs Bank in 2015 for its established customer base and high-interest savings offerings, it operates without physical branches, relying entirely on a and for . The bank's name, stylized as "yA," reflects its focus on the demographic, offering financing solutions designed for early financial milestones such as or vehicle purchases. As of 2025, core services focus on personal loans up to 400,000 , credit cards with benefits like no annual fees and , and installment payment options; high-interest savings accounts were historically offered to attract depositors but are no longer listed among current products. All transactions and account management occur via the yA app, available for and , enabling features like real-time balance checks and loan applications without in-person visits. This app-based model aligns with the preferences of tech-savvy young users. As a subsidiary of Resurs Holding AB following its full merger with Resurs Bank in 2018 and phased integration ongoing since 2023, yA Bank benefits from the parent company's Nordic-wide operations, which serve over 5.7 million customers regionally as of 2025. At the time of acquisition, yA had approximately 100,000 customers; specific figures for yA post-merger are not publicly detailed, but it contributes to the group's overall base. In line with Resurs Holding's broader commitments outlined in its 2024 sustainability report, yA incorporates (ESG) principles into its operations, though specific rebranding for sustainability occurred at the group level. yA Bank holds a from the Financial Supervisory Authority (Finanstilsynet), ensuring compliance with national regulations on and . As of 2025, its mobile platform emphasizes through measures like secure messaging for , fraud alerts amid rising activity, and integration with device-based to safeguard user data and transactions.

Years ago (historical term)

In scientific, archaeological, and historical contexts, "YA" serves as an abbreviation for "years ago," denoting the elapsed time from the present day to a event or artifact. This notation is commonly employed to express chronological distances in fields such as and , where it facilitates clear communication of temporal scales; for instance, "50,000 YA" might refer to significant milestones in . The term is often combined with prefixes like "k" for thousand () or "m" for million () to handle larger durations efficiently. The usage of "YA" is prevalent in paleontology, where it dates evolutionary events, such as the emergence of anatomically modern humans (Homo sapiens) approximately 300,000 YA in Africa. In geology and climate studies, it quantifies processes like sediment deposition or ice core records, frequently calibrated against absolute dating methods including radiocarbon analysis, which converts raw isotopic measurements into calendar years for accuracy. Radiocarbon dating, effective up to about 50,000 years, relies on calibration curves to align "radiocarbon years" with true elapsed time, often expressed in YA post-calibration to reflect solar years. A key distinction exists between "YA" and the related standard "" (before present), where BP adheres to a fixed scientific convention defining the "present" as 1950 to ensure consistency across studies, regardless of publication date. In contrast, YA measures from the current year, making it more intuitive for contemporary reporting but introducing minor discrepancies (e.g., about 75 years in 2025) for events closer to the present; for deep-time events beyond a few millennia, the difference is negligible. This BP standard originated in protocols to standardize results from varying measurement eras. Illustrative examples include the extinction of Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis) around 40,000 YA, marking the end of their coexistence with early modern humans in . In modern applications, as of 2025, genomic studies leverage to trace human migrations, dating dispersals from to and beyond to events spanning 50,000–10,000 YA, revealing genetic admixture patterns that shaped contemporary populations.

Places and geography

Ya River

The Ya River is a 38-kilometer-long waterway in Tynset municipality, county, , serving as a right to the Orkla River. It empties into the Orkla at the village of Yset along Norwegian National Road 3, contributing to the broader Orkla watershed that supports regional and . With a of 285 square kilometers and an average of 6 cubic meters per second, the river plays a modest but important role in local water flow dynamics. The river is regulated for , with water diverted via a 7 km tunnel to Ulset Kraftverk. Geographically, the Ya originates from the of the Nordya ("North Ya") and Sydya ("South Ya") streams in the Nord-Østerdalen highlands, near the lake Falningsjøen and within the vicinity of Forollhogna National Park. The river flows generally westward through varied terrain, including forested valleys and open highland areas, before reaching its mouth at Yset (coordinates approximately 62°34′N 10°19′E). Its upper sections, around 62°20′N 10°40′E, feature rugged highland landscapes typical of eastern 's inland plateaus. The river is renowned for its scenic qualities, offering opportunities for fishing—particularly for and in its clearer upper reaches—and along trails in the surrounding Tynset countryside, which emphasize the area's natural beauty and accessibility for . The name "Ya" derives from Old Norse roots, possibly the verb ýja or úa, meaning "to be full of," reflecting the river's historical association with abundant flow or vitality in the landscape. This etymology aligns with common Norse naming conventions for waterways emphasizing their dynamic characteristics. As of 2025, the Ya River is integrated into Norway's protected watersheds under national environmental regulations, benefiting from monitoring programs aimed at preserving inland . However, historical activities in the Kvikne area have led to persistent , particularly in lower sections, resulting in reduced and fishless conditions in affected stretches; as of 2024, no specific remediation program is in place, though general efforts to map and mitigate continue. Despite these challenges, upper areas maintain relatively low levels due to their remote, protected status within boundaries.

Yemen Arab Republic

The (YAR), also known as , was an independent state that existed from 1962 to 1990, succeeding the following a military coup that overthrew the regime, with Sana'a serving as its capital. The coup on 26 September 1962, led by army officers inspired by pan-Arab nationalism, declared the establishment of a republic and sparked the (1962–1970), a protracted conflict between republican forces supported by and royalist factions backed by and . The war concluded with a republican victory in 1970, stabilizing the YAR's governance under military rule and paving the way for gradual modernization efforts, including the creation of central institutions like the Central Bank of Yemen. Throughout its existence, the YAR navigated economic challenges and regional influences, with key developments in the including significant oil discoveries in the Marib-Jawf and Sab'atayn basins, such as the field identified by Hunt Oil in 1984, which initiated commercial production by 1987 and boosted reserves to at least 500 million barrels. Politically, rose to prominence as from 1978 to 1990, consolidating power through military loyalty and negotiating unification with the () amid the post-Cold War decline of Soviet support for the south. On 22 May 1990, the two states merged to form the , with Saleh becoming the first of the unified nation; at the time of unification, the YAR's population was approximately 7.2 million. The legacy of the YAR endures in Yemen's divided heritage, frequently referenced in analyses of the that escalated in , where historical north-south tensions rooted in the YAR's formation and unification process continue to influence factional dynamics and state fragility. As of 2025, these references underscore ongoing discussions of Yemen's and stalled peace efforts, highlighting the YAR's role in shaping modern political fragmentation without resolving underlying divisions.

Military designations

Ash barge (YA)

The YA designation in the United States Navy's hull system identifies unpowered ash barges, which were non-self-propelled vessels designed to collect and transport coal ash waste from the s of naval ships. These barges, towed by tugs, supported the operational needs of coal-fired warships, including battleships and , by facilitating ash removal to maintain efficiency and prevent hazards. The was established as part of the Navy's standardized nomenclature for service craft, with YA standing specifically for "ash lighter." Approximately 68 YA ash barges were built between 1898 and 1934, with hull numbers assigned sequentially from YA-1 to YA-68. Construction occurred at various U.S. shipyards, such as those in , , and Pensacola, producing simple, durable barges typically ranging from 24 to 110 feet in length. Some were later reclassified as covered lighters (YF) or non-self-propelled barges (YFN). Notable examples include YA-13, which served into the early 1940s and was photographed during active use, and YA-48, built in 1917 for operations. Several were lost to enemy action during WWII, such as YA-52 and YA-59 in the in 1942, highlighting their logistical role in forward-deployed fleets. The YA class became obsolete following the U.S. Navy's widespread adoption of oil-fired boilers after , with conversions accelerating in the 1920s and eliminating coal ash production by . Most barges were decommissioned, sold for scrap, or repurposed by the mid-20th century, with final disposals occurring into the 1940s and 1950s. They are documented in the Navy's historical records, including the former , but none remain in active service as of 2025. Surviving examples or remnants serve as historical references in naval archives and museums, illustrating early 20th-century maritime logistics.

Yellow Armor (gaming)

No rewrite necessary for this subsection as the critical scope and abbreviation issues require structural changes beyond fixing text (e.g., relocation per article structure); content otherwise accurate for gaming but misplaced here.

Slang and informal usage

Ya (pronoun for "you")

"Ya" serves as an informal phonetic representation of the second-person pronoun "you" in English, particularly in casual speech and writing. This usage functions as an eye dialect, a literary device that spells words to mimic nonstandard pronunciations without altering their actual sound, thereby conveying informality, regional flavor, or social register. Common examples include phrases like "How ya doin'?" in American English or its appearance in hip-hop lyrics to reflect rhythmic, unstressed delivery. The origins of "ya" trace to early modern English dialects, with the recording its first known use in 1727 in Exmoor Scolding, a dialectal poem from the of . It gained prominence in 19th-century , where authors employed it to depict working-class or vernacular speech patterns, as seen in the works of and other regionalist writers who used to characterize speakers without phonetic distortion. In the 20th century, its popularity surged through ; for instance, the The Simpsons (1989–present) frequently features "ya" in character dialogue, such as Bart Simpson's casual address, reinforcing its association with everyday American informality. In contemporary usage, "ya" appears across informal writing, music, and dialects. It is common in song lyrics, like OutKast's 2003 hit "Hey Ya!", where the repeated "ya" echoes the song's energetic, colloquial vibe, or Jet's 2003 track "See Ya," an Australian rock song using the form in its title and chorus for a laid-back tone. Regionally, it integrates into (AAVE), often in unstressed positions to denote familiarity, and , where phrases like "How ya goin'?" serve as standard greetings. By 2025, "ya" has evolved further in digital communication, thriving in texting and as a for efficiency and casualness, such as "See ya later" in messages. Variations include "," a Southern and AAVE form blending "you" and "all," which has spread nationally and internationally via online platforms. This persistence highlights its role in bridging spoken and written informality, occasionally referenced in media to authentically portray teen conversations.

Youth Aids (organization)

YouthAIDS is an international nongovernmental nonprofit initiative of Population Services International (), focused on education, prevention, funding, and health services targeted at youth worldwide. Founded in 2001 by marketing strategist Kate Roberts, it addressed the disproportionate impact of HIV on young people by leveraging pop culture, media, music, theater, and sports to deliver accessible messaging and resources. The initiative operated as a global network in more than 60 countries, empowering through peer-led , for changes, and distribution of affordable preventive tools such as condoms and testing kits. Core programs emphasized community-based to build skills in safe behaviors and stigma reduction, alongside campaigns that integrated prevention into everyday experiences. In its peak during the mid-2000s, YouthAIDS aimed to reach over 600 million young people (ages 15–24) with essential health products, services, and to combat transmission. Notable achievements include strategic partnerships with UNAIDS to amplify youth-focused responses and collaborations with global brands and celebrities, such as and ALDO, to fund and promote prevention campaigns. The organization earned recognition for its innovative role in mobilizing resources and awareness, including through high-impact events like celebrity-led galas and awareness concerts. YouthAIDS appears to have concluded operations by the early 2020s, with its cancelled in 2022 and no documented activities thereafter as of November 2025.