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

Everyone knows that the punctuation mark is a period, a comma, a question mark and an exclamation point. And what are they and why are they needed?

Essence

A punctuation mark is an extra-alphabetical graphic unit of the language, which helps to structure written text. Their use is regulated by the rules of punctuation, individual for each language. They are not always easy to learn, so there are so many mistakes in this section. So, when studying foreign languages, very few programs include punctuation. Nevertheless, this section is no less important than grammar or spelling, although it is necessary only in written speech. So what are the punctuation marks?

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The basic punctuation units in any language are a period, a comma, and also a question mark and an exclamation point. With their help, you can correctly express your thoughts, though not always with sufficient accuracy. In total, in the modern Russian language, ten icons are used: in addition to those already mentioned, this is a dash and a colon, which will be discussed separately. In addition, these are brackets and quotes that have a separating function. Also an ellipsis, an ending thought, and a semicolon that play the same role, but within the same sentence.

As you can see, the list is not large, however, each of the listed punctuation units has its own purpose. Sometimes they are interchangeable, but more often they are not.

Classification

There are several options for separating punctuation units. First, on the basis of pairness. That is, in the case of setting one punctuation mark, it is necessary to supplement it with the second. The brackets, quotation marks, as well as double commas and dashes can be included in the paired category.

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

1. Selection marks. They are intended to indicate the boundaries of various syntactic constructions and isolation. It is to this category are the pairs of signs. They allow you to clearly structure the proposal and see its significant parts.
2. Signs of separation. They denote the boundary between independent proposals, including those in complex structures. In addition, they indicate the type of sentence for the purpose of the utterance. This includes everything that is not included in the first paragraph.
3. Sometimes a red line is highlighted separately. It denotes a change of subject or a new twist in narrative or reasoning.

Functions

It may seem that in the modern world punctuation is already atavism. As a rule, without points, you can distinguish between sentences, and without commas, it is often clear what is being said. What can we say about other signs that are much less common? And yet, without them it is extremely difficult to manage.

First, they allow you to make mental pauses and delineate phrases, without turning the text into a meaningless set of letters and words. Secondly, they transmit a huge number of different shades - uncertainty, semi-confirmation, etc. Without such a powerful tool as punctuation, it would be very difficult to achieve this. In addition, in official documents, contracts and contracts without punctuation, it would be extremely difficult to understand. Not there the comma set can completely change the meaning of the whole sentence - and this is not a joke.

So the role of punctuation marks is important, no matter how their opponents claim otherwise. After all, many linguists are of the opinion that any unnecessary introductions in the language simply do not take root, while significant parts remain in any case. And then, the famous "can not be pardoned" is just one example, but in fact there are thousands of them. Any punctuation mark is an important part of a sentence that can not be neglected.

History of origin and development

It is difficult to imagine how you can do without punctuation, but the current situation has developed relatively recently, and it is possible that the development of this language section is still going on. Nevertheless, it is very interesting to observe how the origin and development of punctuation occurred.

The oldest punctuation mark is the point, which is found even in ancient Russian written language monuments. But its use was not regulated in any way, and the location on the line was different - not down, but in the middle. The rules for its production became more similar to modern ones in the 16th century.

The comma has been circulated approximately in the XV century. Its name came from an obsolete verb, denoting a stop, a delay. The root word in this case will be the word "stumble". And the most observant will notice one more thing. For example, the fact that "punctuation" by etymology goes back to the same root.

Most of the other signs were introduced into widespread use until the XVIII century. Their popularization was promoted by Lomonosov, Karamzin and many other prominent scientists. Modern rules of Russian punctuation were adopted in 1956 and still in force.

Correct use of punctuation units

Putting punctuation marks is not always easy. At the end of the sentence, there are four options to choose from, and within the phrase ... It is not surprising that so much time is devoted to the study of punctuation. Remember all the rules, perhaps, it will be somewhat difficult, but the main ones are just necessary.

Commas: Proper use

Since this is the most common sign, it is not surprising that it is on him that the greatest number of problems occur. A comma is a sign that separates simple sentences as part of a complex one. It is also used for enumerations, for highlighting introductory constructions, applications, isolating participial, participial and comparative turns and many other purposes. List them all, perhaps, is quite difficult, because this is a huge part of the school curriculum. However, it should be remembered that the comma also always highlights the treatment. Punctuation marks require careful attention, and disregarding the rules of their placement for the native speaker - first and foremost disrespect for one's own person.

Direct speech and dialogue

It is this topic that causes the greatest difficulty for both schoolchildren and adults. And if there are fewer problems with the dialogue, because there is just a dash before each line, the punctuation marks in direct speech become just a stumbling block, especially if the input words are still used.

In order to properly format this part of the text, you need to know that the replica itself, along with its own punctuation marks, is allocated with quotation marks. If the input words are used, the comma is used instead of the point, which in this case is taken out of the statement. Interrogative and exclamation marks are always preserved. As for the wording of the author, it depends on the division of the replicas. If they represent a single sentence, interrupted by an explanation, then it is written with a small letter and is allocated with a dash and a colon. Put only one pair of quotes - at the beginning and after the completion of direct speech. Probably, in theory this sounds somewhat confusing, but it is not difficult to understand the practice.

Using dashes and colon

Grammar in the Russian language assumes the existence of non-union sentences, and this means that the above punctuation marks are in demand. Their purpose is approximately the same, and they can both be replaced by a comma, which, nevertheless, does not convey the desired shades.

The colon is necessary if the subsequent part or even the whole simple sentence more fully reveals the meaning of the previous one, adds details, etc. Tire - in the reverse situation. Of course, they have other functions, but this is also a fairly large part of the school curriculum, which deserves detailed consideration.

Differences in the punctuation of Russian and European languages

Studying the native, we do not always think about what punctuation marks exist in foreign dialects, and whether they bear the same function. Of course, the punctuation rules differ, but the conversation is not about them.

A good example is the Spanish language. Interrogative and exclamation sentences in it are highlighted more prominently, because the corresponding signs are put not only at the end, but at the beginning of the phrases, so that they refer to pairs along with quotes or brackets.

By the way, in English, you can often find dashes instead of dots at the end of a direct speech. And the Greeks can put [;] instead of a question mark . Guess, not knowing, is difficult. So it's not always worth thinking about the rules that the Russian language sets. Punctuation marks and ways of using them are everywhere your own.

Eastern Languages

Japanese and Chinese remain faithful to traditions, despite the influence of Europe. So, the point looks like a circle and is sometimes placed in the center of the line, and sometimes like the usual one. This was done to avoid confusion, since the European sign could be taken as part of the last hieroglyph.

There are also two types of commas: ordinary and teardrop. The first, for example, divides simple sentences into a complex one, and the second - homogeneous terms.

Little-known punctuation marks

It may seem that the previously mentioned list is more than exhaustive. But, strangely enough, it is not so. So, what are the punctuation marks that few people know about and they are practically not used? There are a little more than a dozen of the most famous:

• Interrobang. This combination in one unit of interrogative and exclamation mark looks exotic, but interesting. Of course, it is simpler and more customary to write "?!", The more so that the meaning will be the same, but supporters of the introduction of interrobang believe that it looks more representative on the letter.
• Rhetorical question mark. He stayed in use for about 20 years at the junction of the 16th and 17th centuries. In fact, it is a mirror image of the usual question mark.
• Asterism. Earlier, the chapters or parts of them were separated from each other by this sign, which is a three-pointed star, arranged in the form of a triangle. But a long time ago they were replaced by the same asterism, but located in the form of a straight segment.
• The ironic sign. It may seem that it is too similar to rhetorical, although it is smaller, is located above the line and has a completely different function, as the name implies. Was invented in the XIX century.
• Love sign. Its function is also obvious from the name, and it itself is a combination of two interrogative, mirror-like to each other, with one point.
• The consent sign. It is a combination of two exclamation points with one point. Expresses a demonstration of goodwill or greeting.
• A sign of confidence. Performs the function of emphasizing a firm opinion on the statement. It is an exclamation mark crossed out by a short horizontal line.
• Interrogatory comma. It is used to emphasize interrogative intonation within the framework of one sentence. By analogy with it there is an exclamation point.
• The sarcastic sign. It is a kind of snail with a dot inside and is protected by copyright. It is used to emphasize separately that the proposal, for which it is located, contains sarcasm.
• A snark sign. It can also be typed on a regular keyboard, because this is just the point and the tilde following it - [. ~]. It is used to show that the sentence he is following should not be taken literally, and there is a hidden meaning in it.

Quite an interesting set, but it seems to many to be superfluous. And although the role of some of these signs seems to be necessary, the language ultimately displaces the unsuitable and unused things. Probably, this is exactly what happened in this case.

Nevertheless, natural languages are by no means the only discipline in which there is the concept of punctuation. However, this topic requires separate consideration. It is much more appropriate to consider the influence of modern trends on the arrangement of punctuation marks.

Punctuation and network etiquette

Since the communication on the Internet initially often implies informality, it is quite logical that some simplification and disregard for the rules of Russian (and not only) language. There is even the concept of network etiquette, which includes the question of how to arrange punctuation.

So, for example, the point at the end of a long dialogue is a sign that the interlocutor wants to close the topic. In other cases, it looks rude and cold. A large number of exclamation points means, depending on the context, violent negative or positive emotions. The ellipsis can show despair, brooding, melancholy and some other mood tones that can hardly be called positive. The arrangement of commas in network communication is rarely a matter of serious reflection, because the goal is to convey to the interlocutor the essence, and the design of the thought in this case is secondary. Nevertheless, it is impossible to neglect the arrangement of question marks: it is a mauvais.

Although these rules differ from general rules, it is not difficult to remember them. And, of course, you need to take into account that they do not concern business and official correspondence, which must be properly designed and correctly. A punctuation mark is a powerful tool that should be used neatly.