Well, Threeb, a word doesn't have to be in general use in the English speaking world to be admitted to the Chi word list. It just has to be in some use - now or in the past - and to be considered by some authority or other to have been incorporated into that amorphous mass, the English language.
And sala is listed as an English word by the Shorter Oxford, and also by Random House, according to Dictionary.com.
My edition of the Shorter Oxford has a second entry for the word, defined as, "In the Indian subcontinent: a rest-house, an inn." This word comes from a Sanskrit word meaning a public building. I can't help wondering if there's some ancient Indo-European root word shared by these two words.
Although I think, Dave, that "unusual" might be putting it mildly, the word does seem to qualify.
