tiomluasocein wrote:
The word "hi" has been used since Late Middle English, according to the Oxford Dictionary.
Not as a call/greeting. This first developed in early 20th century. (acc. to
https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=hi)
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So, instead of "tusa", what would you use?
Foclóir has "haigh tusa" so would it be so wrong to stretch the imagination and use it in this case?
In Germanic languages, at least in English or German, forms like "Du (da)!" or "You (there)!" are normal and used very often. They are so normal that you don't think about it and expect them to exist in other languages, too.
But usage of personal pronouns as "vocatives" in calling people is very limited in many languages.
E.g. in Spanish it is impossible to call someone "¡Tu (ahí)!" (except "tu" is subject of the following sentence) And you can't use "ты!" in Russian. 2nd person pronouns must be part of sentences.
According to de Bháldraithe and Ó Dónaill you could say "Tusa ansin!" (Here you!" or "You there!") in Irish.
But in Corpas Nua na hÉireann there are only two (!) items of "T(h)usa ansin!" I would expect dozens of examples in English or German corpusses.
So, it is obviously rare in written Irish - so rare I doubt that Irish is (was?) like English in this respect and modern "Tusa ansin!" being probably a Béarlachas.
And remember: It is impossible to say "You, my friend" or "You idiot" in Irish. it is just "A chara" or "A amadáin".
These are just my thoughts.
Nevertheless, "Tusa ansan!" might had been normal in 1840's Kerry spoken Irish. Who knows?
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Or what phrase would you use to express "Hey, you there!"
If I can't use pronouns, I'd use nouns:
Hé, a fhir ansan!