A note about the use of "Tal" the Gorean word for "greetings".

Some controversy surrounds this word as to which levels of honnorifc addresss are allowed.

Many believe that it is only to be used between free people of equal status.

Is the use of Tal reserved to free men and women only?


"Tal," cried Ute, greeting me as a free person.
Captive of Gor

It is unclear whether this quote means "greeting as free persons would" or "using the word free persons do to greet".

Or this reference that seems to mean its a warriors greeting only:

“He looked at me.
‘I give you greetings of the caste of warriors,’ he said.
‘Tal,’ said I.
‘Tal,’ said he.”
Beasts of Gor

Or with this quote it would seem that "Tal" is not enough, that some other identification of status would be required.

“He stood before the table of Cernus and though Cernus was Ubar of his city he merely lifted his hand in common Gorean greeting, palm inward.
‘Tal,’ said he.
‘Tal,’ responded Cernus, seeming somehow in awe before this mere boy.”
Assassin of Gor


Further searches have, on many occasions, slaves both using the word to greet, AND being greeted by it.

"Tal, Kajirae!" cried one of the men, waving.
Captive of Gor

"Greetings, Ute," said I, smiling.
"Tal, El-in-or," smiled Ute
Captive of Gor

The girls stood straight, proud under the gaze of a warrior. "Tal, Master," said many of them, as I rode slowly by....
Tribesmen of Gor

"Tal, Master," they said to me.
`Tal, Slave Girls," I said to them.
Tribesmen of Gor

This leaves the reader in a position where he cannot quite clearly establish whether this exclusive use of the word is in fact, a habitual thing, a local custom, or a rule.

Since the word is clearly defined in the books as being a direct translation of the word "greetings" is it possible that its usage depends on the addition of other honorifics in the context of a sentence to clairify the intent?

Why am I talking about "Tal" at all?

Well for on, where as Goreans are ussually conserned the proper form of address is a way of showing Honor to another.

Followers of Gorean philosophies highly value thier honor.

Just as the use of Sir and or Maam is considered proper in polite society, so too amongst Goreans.

Now in the books on the world of Gor all slaves are to address all free persons as Master or Mistress and the use of a free persons given name without permission is a terrible offence, just as slaves are supposed to use a form of third person speach when refering to themselves in a free persons presence out of respect for thier status.

Yet if given permission it is acceptable to do otherwise.

Of course here on earth thats not allways feasible and may even break the rules of ettiqute for a given situation.

For instance if one were to call every free male or female Master or Mistress in the chat room, or in a bdsm setting in real life one may even find themselves to be censured for thier efforts as many in our community feel like the words Master and Mistress are only appropriate forms of title to be used if one is in thier collar personally.

When in Rome as they say.

For simular reasons one may not find or expect every kajira out there to be commonly using third person forms of speach as some consider this offensive, degrading, or an example of "sceneing" etc. (one reason you will see me use "I" in here)

Where in other situations it is quite all right to do so.

This girl hopes that the above post was helpful for all conserned.