Valediction

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The valediction is a courteous formula used to conclude a letter, by formulaically expressing the writer's loyalty or best wishes to the recipient, and preceding the writer's name.

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 such as All my best or, simply, Best. 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 (with approximate English equivalents—not literal translations):

Amicalement ("In friendship")
Amitiés ("Your friend")
À bientôt ("See you soon")
Au plaisir de vous revoir ("Hope to see you soon")
Bien amicalement ("Yours warmly")
Bien à vous ("Yours truly")
Cordialement ("Cordially")
Meilleures salutations ("Warmest greetings")
Merci bien ("Thanks very much")
Salutations distinguées ("Sincere greetings")

Unlike in English, when the letter writer has a title that is unique in his or her organization, it is placed before, not after, the name:

Veuillez recevoir, Monsieur, mes sincères salutations.

La vice-présidente des ressources humaines,

A.B.

Websites with French valedictions for English speakers

[AskOxford: Writing Letters in French]

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