Sunday, November 16, 2014

Punctuation: Changing or Not?

In a constantly changing world punctuation rules must change with different interpretations as time and language evolves.  Punctuation changes with language and culture because different dialects, words and discoveries come about. (Source A).  Punctuation should change between different literatures depending on the context.  For Example; the poem On Punctuation, source B, contains no punctuation and yet still clearly conveys a message.  Poems, songs, and stream of consciousness writing should not necessarily need punctuation.  What does punctuation really do?  Quite honestly punctuation could be compared to the same as a rest in sheet music.  It serves for a break in flow which allows time to breath and adds some effect.  If a literary work was read aloud,  a person listening wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between a period at the end of a sentence or 12 parentheses. (Source D). Since time and punctuation change, it should thereby be used as an option.  In a formal write-up punctuation may be useful to convey ideas, however, in a song it might be more dramatic to refrain from using punctuation.  It is an interpretation, just as the oxford commas use is constantly debated, punctuation should be debated as opinions and language change.


2 comments:

  1. Nate, I definitely agree that punctuation is important in language but its use must be altered according to the interpretation of people and culture. Nice post!

    ReplyDelete
  2. As a commentator from the opposing team I must give you props for the use of textual evidence and analogy to music. I just question the use of that specific image and its relation to your claim.

    ReplyDelete