Punctuation is... What are the punctuation marks. The role of punctuation marks

We All know that punctuation is full stops, commas, question and exclamation marks. But what are and why are they needed?

Entity

The punctuation Mark is analfabeta graphic unit of language that helps to structure a written text. Their use is regulated through the rules of punctuation, specific to each language. They are not always easy to learn, so very many mistakes occur in this section. So, when learning foreign languages, very few programs include punctuation. However, this section is not less important than grammar or spelling, though necessary only in writing. So what are punctuation marks?

The List

The Basic unit of punctuation in any language - full stops, commas and question and exclamation marks. They can be used correctly to Express his thoughts, though not always with sufficient accuracy. All in all, the modern Russian language is used ten icons: besides the already mentioned, it's a dash and a colon, which will be discussed separately. In addition, it is the brackets and quotation marks, having a dividing function. Also the dots, completing the thought, and the semicolon, which play the same role, but within one sentence.

As you can see, the list is small, but each of these punctuation units has its own purpose. Sometimes they are interchangeable, but often it does not.

Classification

There are several options for punctuation separating units. First, on the basis of parity. That is, in the case of setting one punctuation mark necessary to Supplement it with the second. To the category of pairs include parentheses, quotation marks, and double commas and dashes.

Recommended

"Knowledge is light and ignorance is darkness": the value, meaning and alternatives

There are some sayings that would seem to need no explanation, such as “teaching & ndash; light and ignorance – darkness”. But some still do not understand their meaning. But not only for such people is written by our article. I...

What was invented by Mendeleev for the army. The history and fate of the invention

D. I. Mendeleev was a brilliant Russian scientist-polymath, who made many important discoveries in various fields of science and technology. Many people know that he is the author of “Fundamentals of chemistry" and the periodic law of chem...

The origin of the Slavs. The influence of different cultures

Slavs (under this name), according to some researchers, appeared in the story only in 6 century ad. However, the language of nationality bears the archaic features of the Indo-European community. This, in turn, suggests that the origin of the Slavs h...

According to the second classification, all punctuation marks can be divided into 3 categories. For example:

1. Signs of the selection. They are intended to indicate the boundaries of different syntactic constructions and isolation. Into this category are twin signs. They allow you to clearly structure the offer and to see its relevant parts.
2. Signs of separation. They mark the boundary between independent sentences, including in complex structures. In addition, they indicate the type of proposal the purpose of communication. This includes everything that is not included in the first paragraph.
3. Sometimes separately shown by a red line. It indicates a change of topic or a new twist in the narrative or argument.

Functions

It May seem that in the modern world punctuation is already an atavism. As a rule, and no points can be made between sentences, and no commas, it is usually clear what was going on. What can we say about other characters that are much rarer? And yet, without them is extremely difficult.

First, they allow you to do a mental pause and to distinguish between phrases that are not converting text into a meaningless jumble of letters and words. Second, they convey a huge number of different shades of insecurity, polyetherimine etc. Without such a powerful tool as punctuation, this can be very difficult. In addition, in official documents, treaties and contracts without punctuation to understand it would be extremely difficult. Not there delivered a comma can completely change the meaning of the whole sentence - and this is no joke.

So the role of punctuation marks is important, as if their opponents may claim otherwise. In the end, many linguists are of the opinion that any unnecessary introduction in English just do not survive, while significant parts are preserved in any case. And then, the famous "execute not pardon" is just one example, but in fact thousands of them. Any punctuation is an important part of the proposal that should not be overlooked.

History and development

It is Difficult to imagine how we can do without punctuation, but the modern situation is relatively recent, and perhaps the development of this language is still ongoing. However, it is very interesting to see how the emergence and development of punctuation.

The Earliest punctuation mark is a point, which is found in ancient written monuments. But its use is not regulated, and the location on the line was different - not at the bottom and in the middle. Rules her performances became more similar to the modern around the sixteenth century.

The Comma has spread roughly in the XV century. Its name comes from the obsolete verb denoting the stop delay. The root in this case is the word "stammer". And the observant will notice one more. For example, the fact that "prepinaniya" on the etymology goes back to the same root.

Most of the other characters have been introduced into wide use until the XVIII century. Their promotion was facilitated by Lomonosov, Karamzin, and many other prominent scientists. The modern rules of punctuation of the Russian language was adopted in 1956 and is still in effect.

Proper use of punctuation units

To Place punctuation marks is not always easy. In the end the choice has four options, and only within a phrase... it is not Surprising that the study of punctuation dedicated so much time. To remember all the rules will probably bea bit complicated, but the main - is a must.

Commas: correct usage

Since this sign is the most common, it is not surprising that it accounts for the greatest number of problems. A comma is the character that separates simple sentences into complex. Yet it is used in listings to highlight the introduction of designs, applications, isolation is involved, the participial and comparative revolutions, and many other purposes. To list them all, perhaps, is difficult because it is a huge part of the school curriculum. However, it should be remembered that the comma also allocates the appeal. Punctuation need careful attention, and to neglect the rules of placement for native speaker - first of all, the disrespect to his own person.

Direct speech and dialogue

This causes the greatest difficulty as students and adults. And if the dialogue fewer problems, because there before each line just put a dash, punctuation in direct speech become a stumbling block, especially if you still use misleading words.

In order to properly execute this part of the text, you need to know that the replica together with the proper punctuation marks quotation marks are allocated. If you are also using misleading words, instead of a period use a comma, which in this case is made outside statements. Question marks and exclamation marks always remain. With regard to the design according to the author, it depends on the division of the replicas. If they are a single sentence, interrupted by the explanation, it is written with small letters marked with dashes and colons. Put only one pair of quotation marks - at the beginning and end of direct speech. Probably in theory it sounds a bit confusing, but practice is easy to understand.

Using dashes and colons

The Grammar in the Russian language presupposes the existence of asyndetic sentences, and that means the demand for the above punctuation. Their purpose is approximately the same, and they both can be replaced with a comma, which, however, will not give the needed color.

The Colon is required if any subsequent part or even a whole simple sentence more fully reveals the meaning of the previous one, adds details, etc. Dash in the reverse situation. Of course, they have other functions, however, it is also a fairly large part of the curriculum that deserves detailed consideration.

Differences in the punctuation of Russian and European languages

Studying the honey, we do not always think, what are the punctuation marks in foreign languages and do they have the same function. Of course, there are different punctuation rules, but the conversation is not about them.

A Vivid example is the Spanish language. Question and exclamation sentences highlighted more significantly, because the relevant signs are placed not just at the end, but the beginning phrases, so that they are paired along with the quotes or brackets.

By the Way, in English language often is the dot at the end of direct speech you can find dash. And the Greeks instead of a question mark can put [;]. Guess not knowing is difficult. So don't always think about the rules set by the Russian language. Punctuation and how to use them everywhere.

Oriental languages

Japanese and Chinese remain faithful to the traditions, despite the influence of Europe. So, the point looks like a circle and is placed sometimes in the centre of the line, and sometimes as usual. This is done to avoid confusion because the European sign could be mistaken for part of the last character.

Also there are two kinds of commas: conventional and keyhole. First, for example, parts of a simple sentence in a complex, and the second is the homogeneous members.

Little-known punctuation marks

It May seem that the above-mentioned list is more than comprehensive. But, oddly enough, it's not. So, what are the punctuation marks, which few people know, and they are almost not used? Allocate a dozen of the most prominent:

• Interrobang. This combination in one unit question and exclamation mark looks exotic, but interesting. Of course, the easier and more familiar to write "?!", moreover, the meaning will be the same, but supporters of the introduction of interrobang think he looks at the letter more personable.
• Rhetorical question mark. It has been in use for about 20 years at the junction of the XVI and XVII centuries. In fact, it is a mirror image of the usual question mark.
• Asterism. Earlier chapters or parts thereof separated from each other exactly by this sign, representing three asterisks arranged in a triangle. But for quite some time they were replaced by the same asterism, but arranged in a straight line.
• The Ironic sign. It may seem that he's too much rhetorical, although it is smaller, is located above the line and carries a completely different function as the name implies. Was invented in the nineteenth century.
• Love sign. Its function is also evident fromname, and he is a combination of two interrogative, mirror each other, with one point.
• Conciliatory sign. Is a combination of two exclamation with one point. Expresses the demonstration of goodwill or welcome.
• Sign of confidence. The function of the underscore strong views on allegations. Represents an exclamation mark crossed by a short horizontal line.
• A Question mark, the comma. Used to emphasize the interrogative intonation in the framework of one sentence. By analogy with it there is an exclamation comma.
• Sarcastic sign. It is a kind of snail with a dot inside and is protected by copyright. Applies to an individual underscores the fact that the proposal which it is located, contains sarcasm.
• Snark-sign. It can be printed on a conventional keyboard because it's just a point and tilde - [.~]. It is used to show that the proposal which he is not to be taken literally, and it has a hidden meaning.

Quite an interesting set, but a lot of it seems redundant. Although the role of some of these characters seem to be needed, the language eventually displaces itself from the inappropriate and unnecessary things. Probably that is what happened in this case.

However, natural languages - is not the only discipline in which there is the concept of punctuation. However, this topic requires separate consideration. Much more appropriate is to consider the influence of modern trends on the punctuation.

Punctuation and netiquette

Since communication on the Internet initially often implies informality, quite naturally a simplification and disregard for the rules of the Russian (and not only) language. There is even the notion of network etiquette, which involves the question of how to punctuate.

For example, the point at the end of a long dialogue is a sign that the interviewer wants to close the topic. In other cases, it looks rude and cold. A large number of exclamation marks means, depending on the context, the flurry of negative or positive emotions. An ellipsis can show despair, thoughtfulness, melancholy, and some other moods that can hardly be called positive. Same placement of commas in network communication is rarely the subject of serious reflection, after all, the goal is to convey to the recipient the essence and thoughts, in this case secondary. However, to neglect the placement of question marks can not - it is mauvais ton.

Although these rules differ from the General, to remember them easily. And, of course, you need to consider that they do not relate to the business and official correspondence that must be executed correctly and efficiently. Punctuation is a powerful tool to be used carefully.