So, three words, homophones, where a homonym would work perfectly well. Okay, “yeah” is pronounced a bit differently.
As I understand it:
- Yea = an affirmative vote. Rhymes with, but opposite to, “nay.”
- Yay = I’m really happy
- Yeah = a slacker’s “yes”
Would the use of the wrong one ever be misinterpreted? Yea… or would that be yeah? Yay.