Hi vs. Ciao: NSM as a tool for cross-linguistic pragmatics

• The assumption that “greetings” do not have a meaning is questioned.
• The point that “greetings” are conceived and performed differently across languages is made.
• The interactional meaning of Hi (English) is compared to that of Ciao (Italian).
• The interactional meaning of these salutations consists in expressed attitudes and feelings.
• A broader semantic analysis of “greetings” can contribute to cross-linguistic pragmatics.

This paper presents the results of the semantic analysis of two salutations, Hi (English) and Ciao (Italian), made adopting the methodology of the Natural Semantic Metalanguage. The analysis is aimed at making two points: first, that “greetings” have a proper semantic content consisting of expressed attitudes and feelings which can be described in simple, cross-translatable words; second, that salutations are not only performed differently, but also conceived differently across languages and this can create potential cases of miscommunication in cross-cultural interactions. To show this, the interactional meaning of Hi is compared with that of Ciao; two different semantic explications are proposed in order to capture various aspects of their meaning emerging from linguistic evidence. The implications for cross-linguistic pragmatics are also discussed.