Recently I have had to say goodbye to a lot of people. Some for only a short period, and some indefinitely. This, along with my tendency to analyze stupid things, got me thinking about goodbyes and partings with those I consider close. I particularly looked at the words and phrases themselves and what their denotations are, along with the connotations they hold. I then began to think about what the best way to say goodbye was. I came to the conclusion that there is no correct way to say goodbye and that it all depends on whomever you are parting from and your relationship with that person.
At first, I thought about the simple "goodbye" and what that entails. Dictionary.com defines goodbye as "farewell (a conventional expression used at parting)." Now that isn't very descriptive seeing as how it uses a synonym in the definition; however, when we break it down we get the words "good" and "bye." Since "bye" is a shortened form of "goodbye" we must look at the word "good" first. This means something ideal, something that is pleasant rather than dreadful. So essentially you are saying that you hope things will be as convenient as possible in the time you don't see them. No matter who it is or what relationship you have with that person, this is something you can always say.
Next we have "see you later," "see ya," or "talk to you later;" they all essentially mean the same thing. Now this is a promise or an expectation. You are telling that person that you will indeed see them soon or within a reasonable period of time. You will keep in contact with them. However, this sounds a little empty if you, indeed, lose contact with that person. So we must be careful about who we say this to.
Lastly, I thought about "farewell." The dictionary describes farewell as "goodbye; may you fare well" and just as the definition states, you are telling the person to fare well. To live life to the fullest, to keep pushing and to find utmost joy out of life. Farewell is what you say when you have no idea if you will ever see someone again. In truth, it may be the most realistic option. Our lives are so precious and fragile that they can be taken away from us in the blink of an eye. Things may change in the relationship or in your individual lives that keep you apart. However, farewell is a bittersweet word. It is a declaration that you care for the receiver as well as an acknowledgment that you may never see them again.
I may have dug too deep, but in order for us to fully understand language and the words we are saying we must first understand their true meaning. Goodbyes can be one of the hardest things we have to do. As a college freshman I have had my fair share of goodbyes; I've left the school I spent 4 years in for good, as well as my bed, my brothers, and my parents temporarily. I may have had to say farewell to some friends for the last time. As time goes on we have to part with people and things dear to us, but how we part with them and what we say may make a substantial difference.
