Like they've mentioned above, 'yea'
is pronounced 'yay', as in, "All those in favor of passing the so-and-so bill into law, say 'yea'.
Those against, say 'nay'".
'Yay' is what you yell out when you're excited about getting a blow-job.
'Yeah' is a slap on the mouth from your hardline father trying to instill manners into your uncouth ass.