Field Notes #3 Greeting
Em Gill
Greeting between old friends
6/24/19
Description:
Today the weather is beautiful and our fishing was very successful. Gicheth, Osket, and I load our catch onto a cart and head up the beach. Osket tells us about a palachotshe (lecture) that they are going to be giving today to present a new medicine they've been developing to help reduce fevers. They hope to present the results of their testing and have the recipe added in medical books across all the islands.
We arrive at the yitpikifun where fish are cleaned, cured for storage, and prepared for cooking and unload our day's haul. Once we finish, the three of us walk towards the yitchoshe (library) to collect Osket's research documents when a voice calls out behind us.
"Osket!" yells a stranger running up the path. Osket turns around and lights up at the sight.
"Thech!" they exclaim and embrace the newcomer. When they break apart, Thech takes Osket's hands and says "matfunoktipa iseng hefshanuth okjat" (the moon brings us together) to which Osket replies, "okjat hefshanuth kanjubar" (together we give thanks) and they drop hands. Osket introduces us to Thech and explains how the two of them grew up together on Akinjenjaisenja (maker island). Thech tells us that they have been measuring the population density of different plants in the Seteliliodishabja (flower jungle) on Lapaisenja (large island).
We continue to the yitchoshe together as Osket and Thech catch up with each other. When we get inside, a gujochongshe (bookkeeper) named Doane recognizes Thech as well and takes their hands saying "matfunoktipa iseng hefshanuth okjat" (the moon brings us together) to which Thech replies "okjat hefshanuth kanjubar" (together we give thanks). Osket goes to collect their materials while the two continue to talk. Together the four of us head over to the yitmoeko Osket is to speak at.
Greeting between old friends
6/24/19
Description:
Today the weather is beautiful and our fishing was very successful. Gicheth, Osket, and I load our catch onto a cart and head up the beach. Osket tells us about a palachotshe (lecture) that they are going to be giving today to present a new medicine they've been developing to help reduce fevers. They hope to present the results of their testing and have the recipe added in medical books across all the islands.
We arrive at the yitpikifun where fish are cleaned, cured for storage, and prepared for cooking and unload our day's haul. Once we finish, the three of us walk towards the yitchoshe (library) to collect Osket's research documents when a voice calls out behind us.
"Osket!" yells a stranger running up the path. Osket turns around and lights up at the sight.
"Thech!" they exclaim and embrace the newcomer. When they break apart, Thech takes Osket's hands and says "matfunoktipa iseng hefshanuth okjat" (the moon brings us together) to which Osket replies, "okjat hefshanuth kanjubar" (together we give thanks) and they drop hands. Osket introduces us to Thech and explains how the two of them grew up together on Akinjenjaisenja (maker island). Thech tells us that they have been measuring the population density of different plants in the Seteliliodishabja (flower jungle) on Lapaisenja (large island).
We continue to the yitchoshe together as Osket and Thech catch up with each other. When we get inside, a gujochongshe (bookkeeper) named Doane recognizes Thech as well and takes their hands saying "matfunoktipa iseng hefshanuth okjat" (the moon brings us together) to which Thech replies "okjat hefshanuth kanjubar" (together we give thanks). Osket goes to collect their materials while the two continue to talk. Together the four of us head over to the yitmoeko Osket is to speak at.
Reflection:
When I first heard the phrases “matfunoktipa iseng hefshanuth okjat" and "okjat hefshanuth kanjubar," I assumed it was a speech act specific to Osket and Thech but hearing Thech and Doane repeat the same words with the same motions I can conclude that it is used more widely. I would guess that it is an Oktip greeting used between people who have not seen each other in some time. Hopefully I will witness the greeting again and will also try to ask Gicheth.
When I first heard the phrases “matfunoktipa iseng hefshanuth okjat" and "okjat hefshanuth kanjubar," I assumed it was a speech act specific to Osket and Thech but hearing Thech and Doane repeat the same words with the same motions I can conclude that it is used more widely. I would guess that it is an Oktip greeting used between people who have not seen each other in some time. Hopefully I will witness the greeting again and will also try to ask Gicheth.
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