Chapter 2 Question

[Saiph]

In the example sentances for Chapter 2 the answer key has
"Salve O Patria" translated as "Hello, O Fatherland".

Why is it not "Be Well O Fatherland" ?

In my 4th edition, it does not define Salve as "hello".

Can it also mean hello ? ?

[klewlis]

"salve" is used for "hello", idiomatically. :)

[Saiph]

Is it alright to translate it "Be Well" as a preference ? ?

Since hello is derived from a different word:

ho! + la, there (from Latin illac, that way.

Or am I splitting hairs ? ?

[benissimus]

You can translate it however you like, but it is the typical Latin greeting, just as vale means "good-bye". Because the typical salutation in English is "hello", that is how we prefer to translate it.