[Lexicog] Blessing, benediction in English and other languages

[Fritz Goerling]

          Romance languages usually have one word for "blessing", viz.
bénédiction (French), bendición (Spanish), etc.
English has "blessing" and "benediction", although they are
not the same, in register and use. How do they differ for
anglophones? Is the Germanic word "bless(ing)" the heart/soul word,
while the word of Romance origin is more formal,  to mention
just one difference (like "love" as the heart word in English
vs. "affection")?
It might  also be helpful to think of the Latin origin "bene-
dicere" (say/talk/speak well; praise) (also in Greek: eu-logeo) 
when we talk and think about what is involved in "bless(ing)." 
How do other languages express the idea of "bless(ing)",
like through the semitic root BRK (Hebrew and Arabic),
German and Dutch (segnen-zegen). What meanings are 
attached to these words (like ideas of empowerment
or enrichment)?
 
Fritz Goerling


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