[Lexicog] Blessing, benediction in English and other languages

Wed Sep 21 14:28:38 UTC 2005

Another important nuance about "blessing" that it has a direct antonym
"curse" (Look for example Numbers 22:6-23:25) [benedicta / maledicta]

Hayim Sheynin

-----Original Message-----
From: lexicographylist at yahoogroups.com
[mailto:lexicographylist at yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Dr. Hayim Y.
Sheynin
Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 10:10 AM
To: lexicographylist at yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [Lexicog] Blessing, benediction in English and other
languages

In Jewish culture "blessing" (berakhah) is commonly understood as a
prayer which starts with words "Barukh atta Adonay ..." (Blessed be You,
our Lord)
However in modern Hebrew the general meaning moved to "good wish."
Religious people do not see a difference between "blessing" and "good
wish".  

Shalom uvrakhah (Peace and blessing / Be well and accept good wishes),
Hayim Sheynin

-----Original Message-----
From: lexicographylist at yahoogroups.com
[mailto:lexicographylist at yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
billposer at alum.mit.edu
Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2005 11:17 PM
To: lexicographylist at yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Lexicog] Blessing, benediction in English and other
languages

A distinction that hasn't been mentioned, unless I missed it,
is that "blessing" can mean the act or ritual, the words uttered, or the
benefit conveyed, whereas "benediction" has only the first two
senses. Thus, you can say "Good health is a blessing" but not "Good
health is a benediction". This is true even if you're a Christian
who believes that all blessings come from God, so I think that it is
not a consequence of the restriction of "benediction" to Christianity.

Bill
--
Bill Poser, Linguistics, University of Pennsylvania
http://www.ling.upenn.edu/~wjposer/ billposer at alum.mit.edu

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