Information AboutValediction |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT VALEDICTION | |
| writing | |
|
ENGLISH English Language valedictions typically contain the word ''yours'', a contraction of ''your servant''; old valedictions were usually some voluminous statement, a complete sentence of the form I beg to remain, Sir, your most humble and obedient servant, ::''A.B.'' This has been contracted to ''Yours sincerely'' or ''Sincerely'' (personal), ''Yours truly'' or ''Very truly yours'' (business in North America), ''Yours faithfully'' (business in the UK). Other less formal expressions exist, often some variant of ''Best wishes''. For family members or intimates, an expression such as ''Your friend,'' ''Your loving son'' or (in the case of lovers) ''Your Albert'' may be used; or the name may simply be preceded with ''All my love'' or ''Love''. Less commonly, other adverbs or adverbial phrases may be used, in keeping with the tone of the letter, such as ''In solidarity'' or ''Fraternally''. Christian clergy often use ''Yours in Christ''. FRENCH Standard French Language valedictions tend to be much more complex than standard English ones, more akin to older English valedictions. They show a fair degree of variation, for example: Veuillez agréer, Madame, Monsieur, l'expression de mes sentiments distingués. :"Please allow, Madam, Sir, the expression of my distinguished sentiments." Or: Veuillez recevoir, Monsieur, mes sincères salutations. :"Please receive, Sir, my sincere salutations." Or: Je vous prie de croire, Madame, à mes sentiments les meilleurs. :"I beg you to believe, Madam, in my best sentiments." It may be enhanced with a gerund phrase concluding the sense of the letter, though this must be used with a formula beginning with the first person in order to make grammatical sense: Espérant recevoir une réponse favorable, je vous prie d'agréer, Madame... :"Hoping for a favourable answer, I beg you to allow, Madam..." A number of rules concern the use of these formulas. For example, the title used in the salutation of the letter must be reproduced in the valediction; so a letter addressing ''Madame la députée'' would conclude, ''Je vous prie, Madame la députée''. An exception is that a letter to ''Monsieur, Madame'' (sir or madam) concludes, ''...Madame, Monsieur...'' Other rules state that the word ''assurance'' should not be used in a letter from a hierarchical inferior to his or her superior, and that a woman must not send ''sentiments'' to a man. Such formulas may be used even in more friendly letters, often with the adjective ''cher'' or ''chère'' for the recipient. Letters to dignitaries may use even more grandiose styles, such as: Je vous prie d'agréer, Monsieur le Premier Ministre, l'assurance de ma haute considération. :"I beg you to allow, Mr. Prime Minister, the assurance of my highest consideration." Veuillez agréer, Madame l'Ambassadrice, l'expression de mes sentiments les plus respectueux. :"Please allow, Madam Ambassador, the expression of my most respectful sentiments." Much shorter styles may be used in brief notes (''Sincères salutations''), and informal letters (such as between intimates) may use expressions such as ''Amicalement'' ("in friendship"), ''Bien à vous'' ("yours truly"), ''Cordialement'' ("cordially"), etc. |
|
|