63 Colloquial and Li.. - Ganino.com

104 paolo poccetti
are more common at the ends of letters. In fact all these formulae occur
not infrequently in letters, but Plautus allows us to see that the imperative
vale is more characteristic of oral usage and the constructions with cura
etc. more characteristic of letters (cf. Cugusi 1983: 57).
In some cultures, such as Twareg, the beginning of an interaction may
involve an extensive dialogue in which both interlocutors inform each
other in detail about their health, work, family, and so forth (Cardona
1987: 97). Generally speaking, ethnolinguistic work suggests that in less
advanced, more rural societies greeting expressions are longer and less
formulaic than in urbanised cultures (cf. Cardona 1987: 96). Some traces of
this anthropological feature can be seen in Plautus when one interlocutor
reproaches another for an inadequately detailed reply to his own solicitous
inquiries:
(13) EP. quid agis? perpetuen valuisti? TH. varie. EP. qui varie valent,
capreaginum hominum non placet mihi neque pantherinum genus.
TH. quid tibi vis dicam nisi quod est? EP. ut illae res? TH. probe.
EP. quid erilis noster filius? TH. valet pugilice atque athletice.
(Pl. Epid. 17–20)
EP. Well? Enjoyed good health all this time, have you? TH. Oh, checkered.
EP. Folks of checkered health – your goatish or your panther-like
variety – I can’t abide. TH. What do you want from me but facts? EP.
How about the campaign? Speak up. TH. First rate. EP. And our young
master? TH. In fighting trim, fit as an athlete.
The inquiries in this passage thus should not be considered a theatrical
resource used to protract a dialogue, but as depiction, perhaps realistic
depiction, of the actual practice of certain individuals (see Fraenkel
1960: 111).
Greeting formulae are often intended to establish human contact or
provide a basis on which further interaction can proceed. Thus in Plautus’
Mercator the youth Charinus and his father think over how to approach
each other and start the dialogue reciprocally:
(14) DE. quid illuc est quod solus secum fabulatur filius?
sollicitus mihi nescioqua re videtur. CH. attatae!
meu’ pater hicquidem est quem video. ibo, adloquar. quid fit, pater?
DE. unde incedis, quid festinas, gnate mi? (Pl. Mer. 364–7)
DE. What’s the boy babbling about, all to himself? He seems worried
over something or other. CH. Oh Lord! There he is, there’s my father!
I’ll up and speak to him. How goes it, father? DE. Where do you hail
from? Why so flustered, my lad?