@leosmith
The particles e (often spelled eh), and a (often spelled ah) are separate from ay.
Its true that ay is realized as e in fluent or native speech, especially of native Tagalogs; but here that isn't what is happening.
E is used at the end and it makrs a statement, its never used in questions, it also kinda softens the statement a titch. Sort of like a softer analogue to nga in a lot of ways.
A is used to rebuke something.
A man is trying to sneak a piece of extra adobo. His wife sees him.
Wife: Akala mo ah! (here she is rebuking his attempt to steal)
Husband: Ah hindi ah. (here he is rebuking the insinuation that he was infact stealing)
Somewhere I have a longer write up on this from when we covered it in the discord. If this doesn't clear it up I can pull up the logs.
