The Word "Yeah"

Some of us are slower than others at picking up on things that maybe should have been understood as a 13 year old, and I'm not saying whether I fall into this category for this particular topic. But really, how is anyone supposed to know that the word "yeah" is spelled "y-e-a-h"? When you first said or heard the word "yeah," is "y-e-a-h" the spelling that comes to mind? I don't think so. Is it even close? It can't be "yah" because that must be pronounced like "Hannah." I always thought it was "ya" because it's perfectly set up for a short vowel sound, but I guess that must be reserved for the slang for "you" in "see ya" and "luv ya." Even still, that pronunciation leads you to a speeling mor along the lines of "yah" or "yuh." "Yea" is pronounced "yay" because that's how is was always pronounced in readings of the 23rd Psalm.

So, we're left with "yeah." I don't know what other words with "-eah" might produce the same sound, but for all those who to text "yeah," you might get away with "ya" sometimes, but if you want to convey it the right, you're gonna have to give in to the "majority rules" rule and spell out all four letters of it.