Semicolon

1. The Semicolon's History: From Clarity to Confusion

The semicolon had successfully colonised the letter cases of the best presses in Europe, but other newborn punctuation marks were not so lucky.

Birth of the semicolon. The semicolon was born in Venice in 1494, created by printer Aldus Manutius to signify a pause between that of a comma and a colon. It quickly gained popularity among humanist writers and printers, who valued eloquence and excellence in writing.

From flexibility to rigidity. Initially, the semicolon's use was flexible, based on individual taste and judgment. However, as grammar books proliferated in the 18th and 19th centuries, they began to establish strict rules for semicolon usage. This shift from personal discretion to rigid rules marked the beginning of the semicolon's transformation from a tool of clarity to a source of confusion.

2. Grammar Rules: Invented Ideals, Not Natural Laws

Rules and regulations such as these, in the nature of the case, cannot be endowed with the fixity of rock-ribbed law.

The rise of grammar rules. In the late 18th and 19th centuries, grammarians began creating and promoting sets of rules for English usage, including punctuation. These rules were often presented as logical and scientific, in response to the growing demand for English education.

Artificial constructs. However, these rules were not inherent to language but invented ideals. They often contradicted each other and failed to capture the nuances of actual language use. As a result, instead of clarifying language, these rules often created more confusion and anxiety among writers and readers.

• Key points:
  • Grammar rules are relatively recent inventions
  • Rules often contradict each other
  • Strict adherence to rules can hinder effective communication

3. The Semicolon in Literature: A Tool for Rhythm and Meaning

Chandler's sentence just quoted is Kentucky Derby-style Secretariat: Chandler reins in that first clause nice and tight and short; and then he lets it go leaping forward, surging with energy and passion felt all the more keenly for the compactness of that first clause.

Rhythmic power. In the hands of skilled writers, the semicolon becomes a powerful tool for creating rhythm and meaning in prose. Authors like Raymond Chandler, Rebecca Solnit, and Herman Melville use semicolons to control pacing, link ideas, and create emphasis.

Stylistic choices. The presence or absence of semicolons can be a deliberate stylistic choice that reflects a character's personality or a story's tone. For example, the scarcity of semicolons in Chandler's Philip Marlowe novels reflects the detective's quick-thinking, no-nonsense character.

• Examples of semicolon use in literature:
  • Chandler: Creating energy and momentum
  • Solnit: Skipping lightly between ideas
  • Melville: Holding together complex, meandering thoughts

4. Legal Implications: Punctuation's Power in Law and Justice

A fence keeps things out as surely as it keeps things in. Who is kept out of our conversations, our public life, and our academies by these language-fences?

Life-altering punctuation. The interpretation of punctuation in legal documents can have profound consequences. Cases like the "Semicolon Law" in Massachusetts and the execution of Sir Roger Casement demonstrate how a single punctuation mark can affect laws and lives.

Ambiguity and bias. The ambiguity inherent in punctuation can allow for multiple interpretations of laws, potentially leading to injustice. This ambiguity can be exploited to reinforce existing biases and prejudices in the legal system.

• Notable cases:
  • Massachusetts "Semicolon Law" affecting alcohol sales
  • Sir Roger Casement's treason conviction based on a comma
  • Salvatore Merra's death sentence hinging on a missing semicolon

5. Language Elitism: The Semicolon as a Symbol of Class and Education

Are semicolons always pauses, then? Moments of silence? Definitely not.

Symbol of sophistication. The semicolon has often been associated with educated, elite writing. Some view it as a mark of sophistication, while others see it as pretentious.

Breaking stereotypes. However, the semicolon is not inherently elitist. It appears in various forms of writing, from highbrow literature to colloquial dialogue. Writers like Irvine Welsh and Junot Díaz use semicolons effectively in informal, dialect-heavy prose.

• Diverse uses of semicolons:
  • Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail"
  • Irvine Welsh's "Trainspotting"
  • Junot Díaz's "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao"

6. Beyond Rules: Embracing Ambiguity in Language

Ambiguity can be useful and productive, and it can make some room for new ideas.

Value of uncertainty. While clarity is often prized in writing, ambiguity can also be valuable. It can create space for multiple interpretations, encourage reader engagement, and allow for more nuanced expression.

Creative potential. Embracing ambiguity in language use, including punctuation, can lead to more creative and expressive writing. It allows writers to play with rhythm, tone, and meaning in ways that strict adherence to rules might prevent.

• Benefits of ambiguity:
  • Encourages reader interpretation and engagement
  • Allows for more nuanced expression
  • Supports creative and expressive writing styles

7. The Ethics of Grammar: Communication Over Correctness

What if we thought less about rules and more about communication, and considered it our obligation to one another to try to figure out what is really being communicated?

Prioritizing understanding. Instead of focusing solely on grammatical correctness, we should prioritize effective communication. This approach values the content and intent of a message over its technical perfection.

Inclusive communication. An emphasis on strict grammar rules can exclude people who speak English as a second language or those with different educational backgrounds. By prioritizing communication over correctness, we can create more inclusive and welcoming spaces for diverse voices.

• Shifting focus:
  • From rule adherence to effective communication
  • From judgment to understanding
  • From exclusion to inclusion in language use

Last updated: August 14, 2024