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What is the conceptual difference, or difference in nuance between these two
constructions when used to mean 'and'? I realize there are some syntactic
differences, such as や not appearing after the final item being enumerated,
but as far as general nuance is concerned, is there any significant
difference? For example, here's a couple sentences:

1a. 怪我 **やら** インフルエンザ **やら** で、試合に出られない選手が多い。

1b. 怪我 **や** インフルエンザで、試合に出られない選手が多い。

2a. 今日は会議 **やら** 新人研参会 **やら** があって無理。明日なら大丈夫だけど。

2b. 今日は会議 **や** 新人研参会があって無理。明日なら大丈夫だけど。

Is there any difference in meaning in these (or perhaps other) examples of
usage?
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2011-07-09T05:02:47.540
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2011-07-11T20:17:38.020
2011-07-11T20:17:38.020
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question
word-choice particles
Usage of ～やら～やら vs ～や～や
や is often taught as a non-exhaustive connective. When you say AやB, you mean
that there may be a C, but you didn't mention it (for example, you could say
"ロックのCDやジャズのCDを買いました" because maybe you bought doughnuts too (but who cares?);
but you wouldn't say "部屋には男性や女性がいます" since there is not other choice.)

As far as I remember, やら expresses some kind of disorder in your listing. It
is also non-exhaustive, but it puts emphasis on the variety of elements. You'd
use it to say "hipsters, bums, rockstars and politicians, everyone wanted to
go to my sweet 16."

Examples of usage will be found it the great google corpus :)
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2011-07-09T07:48:56.533
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2011-07-09T07:48:56.533
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answer
や indicates that a connection exists between two or more nouns that form a
list of items. The list is a partial list and the speaker can add items if the
speaker wishes to. Close connection with と、も..も usage.

English probably : and .. and .. and such

やら connects nouns, **adjectives and verbs** in a partial list. The list used
is somewhat confused or **disorganized**. Close connection to とか usage.

English probably : and .. and who knows what, and ... and stuff
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2011-07-09T07:55:17.703
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2011-07-09T07:55:17.703
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answer