> Haukur,
> What would the appropriate greeting be?
> Jon
Hello Jon,
That's probably another candidate for the FAQ.
I'll quote from Lesson 2:
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2.5 A greeting
The following forms can be used as greetings.
This is actually an adjective that is declining
according to gender and number but we'll talk about that later.
Heill! - to greet one man
Heil! - to greet one woman
Heilir! - to greet a group of men
Heilar! - to greet a group of women
Heil! - to greet a group including both sexes
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4.2 Two half-strophes from the Sigdrífumál
- - -
Heill Dagr!
Heilir Dags synir!
Heil Nótt ok nipt!"
- - -
- - -
Heilir Æsir!
Heilar Ásynjur!
Heil sjá in fjölnýta fold!"
- - -
Compare the greeting carefully with chapter 2.5; notice how it changes according to gender and number.
"Hail, Day!
Hail, Day's sons!
Hail, Night and [her] sister!"
"Hail, Æsir (gods)!
Hail, Ásynjur (goddesses)!
Hail, bountiful earth!"
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Note that both Earth and Night are female entities in the mythology (and that 'fold' and 'nótt' are
feminine words).
For a more modern greeting try 'sæll' which is declined the same way.
Kveðja,
Haukur