LINGUIST List 15.2560

Tue Sep 14 2004

Qs: Formula for Absent Reply

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Jan Lindstr�m, Formula for addressing absent reply

Message 1: Formula for addressing absent reply

Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 09:03:26 -0400 (EDT)
From: Jan Lindstr�m <jklindst

ling.helsinki.fi>
Subject: Formula for addressing absent reply


Dear Linguists,

I would be interested in formulaic expressions from different
languages (and dialects) that deal with the problem of an absent
reply in a dialogue. That is, when A says ''Hello'' and B does not
react to this, whereupon A can comment on B's conduct with some kind
of suitable formula.

This subject was raised in a language column in a Finnish newspaper,
where the formula seemed to be dialectal, for instance: ''Olis tainnu
suu kulua jos ois vastannu'' 'It might have worn his/her mouth, if
he/she had replied'.

Are such formula known from other languages? For example as a reaction
to an absent second-pair greeting or an absent answer to a question?

Many thanks in advance
Jan Lindstr�m
Docent in Scandinavian lgs
University of Helsinki

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