The language is reconstructed Proto-Germanic (PGmc), more or less as it would have been spoken in the First Century. We've been discussing this question of PGmc greetings at þeuðiskôn lately. Here's what one of our more accomplished linguists there, Konrad Oddsson, proposed:


To begin with, however, we can probably go ahead and formalize the standard greeting: 'hailaz' for one male and, at least tentatively, 'hailai' for the plural; 'hailô' for one female and 'hailôz' for the plural, 'hailam' for one grammatically neuter subject, such as a child (barnam), and 'hailô' for plural mixed-gender groups. All of these forms are nominatives.

The expression itself is undoubtedly short for 'wese þu hailaz' (masc.sg.), which means 'may you be whole' (=in good health). The final 'e' of 'wese' is a clear signal that the language is early Germanic. However, I would stick with the short forms of the expression at this point.


I hope that helps.

Hailô!
Thiu