The Linguistics of PunctuationGeoffrey Nunberg challenges a widespread assumption that the linguistic structure of written languages is qualitatively identical to that of spoken language: It should no longer be necessary to defend the view that written language is truly language, but it is surprising to learn of written-language category indicators that are realized by punctuation marks and other figural devices.' He shows that traditional approaches to these devices tend to describe the features of written language exclusively by analogy to those of spoken language, with the result that punctuation has been regarded as an unsystematic and deficient means for presenting spoken-language intonation. Analysed in its own terms, however, punctuation manifests a coherent linguistic subsystem of 'text-grammar' that coexists in writing with the system of 'lexical grammar' that has been the traditional object of linguistic inquiry. A detailed analysis of the category structure of English text-sentences reveals a highly systematic set of syntactic and presentational rules that can be described in terms independent of the rules of lexical grammar and are largely matters of the tacit knowledge that writers acquire without formal instruction. That these rules obey constraints that are structurally analogous to those of lexical grammar leads Nunberg to label the text-grammar an 'application' of the principles of natural language organization to a new domain. Geoffrey Nunberg is a researcher at Xerox Palo Alto Research Center. |
What people are saying - Write a review
We haven't found any reviews in the usual places.
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
absorption adjunct allow alternate analogous analysis appear apply argument assigned associated assume boundary bracket chair character circumstances clauses colon colon-expansion comma conjunction consider constituent constraint construction contain context contrast course dash delimiter described determine devices discourse discussion distinct elements English example expressions fact figure final formal function genres grammar graphical Henry Kissinger important indicators insertion interesting interpretation intonation involve John kind Lecture lexical linguistic Logic marks means natural Note observations operate paragraph parenthetical particular period phrases possible preceding presentation presumptive problems production punctuation question quotation quote reader reading realized reason reference relations relative relevant representation rules semantic semicolon sense sentence separator sequences single sorts spaces spoken language structure suggest syntactic term text-category text-clause text-grammar text-sentence transposition types utterance various writing written language
Popular passages
Page 46 - Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and he did not let the people go. Then the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
Page 46 - Let my 14 people go, that they may serve me. For I will this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people ; that thou mayest know that there is 1 Heb. made strong. 12. As vii. 13, 22b, viii. I5b, ip' (all P). The result, as foretold in vii. 4a (P). On God's 'hardening...
Page 48 - ... 2. When ambition practises the monstrous doctrine of millions made for individuals, their playthings, to be demolished at their caprice; sporting wantonly with the rights, the peace, the comforts, the existence, of nations, as if their intoxicated pride would, if possible, make God's earth itself their football, — is not the good man indignant?
References to this book
Using Computers in Linguistics: A Practical Guide John Lawler,Helen Aristar Dry No preview available - 1998 |
Bibliographic information
| Title | The Linguistics of Punctuation Issue 18 of CSLI lecture notes, Calif Center for the Study of Language and Information Stanford Volume 18 of Center for the Study of Language and Information Publication Lecture Notes Issue 18 of Lecture Notes Series |
| Author | Geoffrey Nunberg |
| Publisher | Center for the Study of Language (CSLI), 1990 |
| ISBN | 0937073466, 9780937073469 |
| Length | 141 pages |
| Subjects | › › Language Arts & Disciplines / Linguistics / General Language Arts & Disciplines / Linguistics / Phonetics & Phonology |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |