Hello everyone around the world
While English has settled on “hello” as the customary greeting, other languages have created their own greetings. Some are influenced by English, while others are developed independently, but each has a distinct cultural flavor that suggests social norms and stereotypes we have about people who use English.
For example, in Germanic and Scandinavian languages, “hallo” and “hallå” are phonetically difficult and feel more efficient and nonsensical than “hola” and “olá”, which are lyrical and almost poetic in nature. These are preferred in Romance languages with more exaggerated stereotypes. Some greetings bear traces of a country’s history, from the Dutch-derived Afrikaans “hello” to the Tetum “ola” that recalls Portuguese influence in East Timor. Many of these words seem to function as introductions. and identity marker. But Professor Duranty says it’s not that simple.
“As tempting as it may be, a direct transition from the use of a particular greeting to national character is difficult,” he told the BBC. Duranty suggests that alternative or secondary greetings may provide better clues. “There is clearly a concern for people’s well-being, as the phrase ‘How are you?’ is often used in English.” In some Polynesian societies, greetings are less about saying a word-for-word “hello” and more about confirming someone’s plans or movements – literally asking, “Where are you going?” In Greek, on the other hand, “Γειά σου” (pronounced “ya-soo”) is a typical informal greeting, not just a greeting, but a wish for good health. It can also be used to say “goodbye”.
Serenity Strall/BBCOther languages also transform abstract concepts into versatile greetings that function as both “hello” and “goodbye.” “Ciao” comes from a Venetian dialect meaning “please,” and the French word “salute” is a casual expression used both as a greeting and as a farewell. Similarly, the Hawaiian word “aloha” expresses love and compassion, and the Hebrew word “shalom” expresses peace and wholeness. But, as Duranty warns, even these provocative examples should not be seen as simple demonstrations of national identity.
Source: BBC Culture – www.bbc.com
