OJCL Torch Winter 2018 | Page 39

Latin Valedictions Ellie Kamm ri er a e n r OJCL Histo McAuley We’ve all had times when we didn’t know how to end an e-mail or letter to someone. Sometimes “sincerely” or “always” just doesn’t seem right or sounds repetitive. Of course, it’s always best to add more Latin into your life and end your e-mails with a few simple wise words from the Romans. Feel free to use any of these in any correspondence you may have with someone! Vale (farewell): The simplest of the VALEdictions, “vale” is something that sounds very nice and lowkey. Most Romans, from the emperor down to the ordinary people, used vale in their own letters. 38 Pax (peace): “Pax” may the shortest valediction, but it definitely gets the message across and sounds modern and sophisticated.