Waving a valediction.
The word "valediction" is used infrequently in modern English. Many people know related words, such as "diction" or "valedictorian," but few actually use the word itself. When you examine the origin of the word, its uses in letters, emails and conversations, and its application in literature and other documents, the true meaning of the word becomes clearer. In its most basic form, it is a simple farewell.
Word Origin
The word "valediction" is thought to date back to the 1600s. It is derived from the past participle tense of "valedicere," a Latin word meaning to bid farewell. The root word combination is "vale," which is the imperative of "valere," meaning to be well, plus "dicere," meaning to say, according to the Online Etymology Dictionary. (See Reference 1.)
Letters
Valedictions are words used to conclude letters, whether casual or formal, paper or email. Some examples are "Yours Truly," "Sincerely," "Best Regards" and "See You Soon." Techno Advice suggests including formal valedictions in emails that go out from your company, while routine email, especially within the company, can be served with a short valediction, such as "Thanks." (See Reference 2.)
Conversation
Valedictions are used in everyday life to signal the end of a conversation or a meeting. Some of the words can be used simply to denote the leave-taking, such as "goodbye" or "so long." Other words and phrases, such as "have a good time" or "get well," are more specific to the circumstances.
Speeches
"Valedictorian" is a more common word in the English language than "valediction." Most people know that the valedictorian of a class is the one who has achieved the highest grades and accomplishments. It is also common knowledge that this person will give a speech. The speech is one of valediction, with the speaker representing his or her class in taking leave and saying farewell to the institution or the degree program.
Literature
The most famous use of the word "valediction" in English literature is John Donne's "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning." Donne also wrote "A Valediction: of Weeping." According to an article by Ian Mackean, the contemporary writer behind Literature Study Online, these two poems express different ways lovers can deal with separations. In the first, the man is trying to control his emotions and weeping, long enough to say farewell. In the second, the man is calmly trying to persuade the woman to say farewell without sadness. (See Reference 3.)
Author-Absent Texts
In "On Reading Valedictory Texts: Suicide Notes," Amelie Frost Benedikt describes how people who plan to be absent on the reading of a document structure it in a different way. Benedikt suggests that a suicide note or a last will and testament lacks the playfulness found in other types of literature. (See Reference 4.) In this case, the valediction is a permanent leave-taking, ending in the death of the author.
