Transcript: Reverend Dr. Michael James Oleksa, Ph.D.
Traditional greetings address the community not just the individual
- [Oleksa:]
- People will not even ask “How are you?” It’s becoming the fashion now under the influence of the English language, but originally even on the telephone people will say [in Native language] “Are all of you all right?” Is everyone in your household is the implication—everyone affiliated with you— are they all doing well? It’s not even a personal greeting. It’s “We’re hoping that all of you are feeling well and doing well.” And then, of course, [in Native language]—“Yeah, we’re all fine.” Then you can go on with the conversation, but in a sense that’s really the greeting. “Are you all well?” And to be able to say, “Yes, we all are well.”
- [Lindberg:]
- Could you say those two things again?
- [Oleksa:]
- [In Native language]—“All of you are well, aren’t you?” It’s like a hopeful expression. And [in Native language] “Yes.” And then they’ll say “Thank you.” It’s actually thank God, in a sense [in Native language]. “I’m grateful. I’m grateful that that’s true.”