What does the 'あ' do in this sentence 「そいつあけっこうだね」?


I am not sure if the 'あ' being used instead of 'は' or there is a meaning in
the word 'そいつあ'.

In addition, is it possible that the 'あ' is a kind of particle or suffix?




「そいつあ」 is a colloquial pronunciation of 「そいつは」. This is most common among male
speakers around Tokyo in their informal speech. It is not something they would
use in school or business.

Particle 「は」 is often pronounced like 「あ」 in other areas as well when combined
with certain words in informal situations. For example:

「それは」("That is ~~.") ⇒ 「そりゃあ」 or 「そりゃ」

「たまには」("Once in a while") ⇒ 「たまにゃあ」 or 「たまにゃ」

> " is it possible that the 'あ' is a kind of particle or suffix?"

This 「あ」 is not a suffix. It is, in my own words, a cross between the lazy,
colloquial pronunciation of 「は = wa」 and a "filler syllable" when one wants to
omit a 「は」. This may be a terrible way to describe it but that is what I
honestly feel when I use this 「あ」 myself as a Japanese-speaker. I feel I am
half-using the particle and half-not-using it at the same time.

Point is everyone will understand what I am saying, which is the only thing
that counts in colloquial speech.




The 'あ' is a kind of intornation of 'は' in Edo, where is now called as Tokyo.
It sounds a little old fashioned and very frank situation. Often, I hear it in
Rakugo.

