Punctuation norm. The meaning of punctuation in Russian

The culture of speech has always been determined by its correctness. The very first step is knowledge of the principles of the Russian language.

Norms of the Russian language

The norm (derived from the Latin norma - literally “square”, figurative meaning - “rule”) is a generally accepted mandatory order. All sections of the language are managed in a specific way. Modern Russian is guided by various rules. These are spelling and punctuation norms. They are orthoepic (phonetic) and phraseological, morphological and syntactic, stylistic.

For example, spelling standards govern the choice of graphic spelling of a word. Punctuation determines the choice of punctuation marks, as well as their placement in the text.

Punctuation Norms

Punctuation norm is a rule indicating the use or non-use of certain punctuation marks when writing. The study of punctuation norms determines the knowledge of the literary language. These principles define the culture of speech in general. The correct use of punctuation should ensure mutual understanding between the writer and the reader of the written text.

The use of punctuation marks is fixed by the rules. The punctuation norm governs the choice of options for constructing sentences. She also exercises control over the speaker’s speech. True, the assessment of "true - false" in relation to the punctuation norm in many respects depends on the subject. Russian punctuation is extremely flexible.

It contains both the rules and the ability to choose punctuation marks at the discretion of the writer. The use in writing of a certain variant of punctuation may depend on the meaning of the text or the stylistic features of the spelling.

The meaning of punctuation

Punctuation marks (i.e., stops, hitches) are non-alphabetic characters that serve to separate text. Spelling and punctuation form the basis of our spelling.

When writing, it is impossible to reflect intonation by spelling or word order in a sentence. Punctuation probably arose in connection with this. A.P. Chekhov compared punctuation marks with notes leading the reader in the direction that the author had set. With the help of punctuation we perceive the text.

It serves to separate speech in writing graphically. Punctuation also indicates the division of the text by meaning, intonation and structure. Choosing punctuation, we rely on the meaning of speech. The concept of punctuation norm is almost identical to the concept of language norm. It is characterized by stability, wide distribution, commitment and tradition. All these are qualities of the norm.

Moreover, it itself may well change, since the objects to which the norm applies are constantly developing. The meaning of punctuation in the Russian language is to reflect those changes that accumulate in its structure and semantics. Punctuation should achieve compliance of the written message with the author’s intention. This will be the observance of the norm.

How does she act?

The first punctuation function is semantic. Remember the classic sentence, “You can’t be pardoned”? Punctuation marks can change the meaning of a sentence in a completely different direction.

The second main function of punctuation is the formation of the structure of the text. It reflects the differences in the structure of sentences.

Punctuation marks in this case:

• share structures;
• highlight semantic units in the text.

Punctuation Basics

Principles are the basic foundations of punctuation norms and rules. They determine the use of punctuation marks.

1. The grammatical principle.
2. The principle of reflection. When translating any phrase of oral speech in a letter, the meaning must be preserved.
3. Intonation principle. It is optional in Russian. Punctuation marks tend to reflect the rhythm and emotional coloring of the oral sentence. However, intonation is not caused by a rigid dependence with certain punctuation marks. It can affect punctuation. And vice versa.

It will not work to build all the rules on any particular principle. For example, if you strive to reflect the most intonation of a phrase, you would need to mark all the pauses with signs. And that would make punctuation very confusing.

The grammatical structure of the sentence is not always reflected thoroughly. For example: “What wasn’t here: brown dates and yellow bananas, ruby ​​cherries and orange grapefruit.” If here everything is denoted in detail, then the union “and” would also put a comma. Russian punctuation is based precisely on the simultaneous action of these three principles.

Obligatory

The signs used to structure the proposal are called mandatory:

• period is a punctuation mark indicating completion of a sentence (we begin our first lesson. );
• commas separating the parts of the compound sentence ( Alexey and Vika went to the cafe after the working day ended. );
• signs that isolate structures that are not members of the proposal (This spring, it may be cool. Oh dear, where are you so smeared? );
• commas in the construction of the listing of equal members of the sentence (The Christmas tree shimmered with red, yellow, green lights.);
• signs that isolate applications and definitions (In the park, only a girl - an ice cream seller - slowly rolled her cart.).

Mandatory marks provide regulatory links between written language and spoken.

What to do with definitions?

Typically, punctuation errors are made when highlighting definitions in a sentence.

It is necessary to isolate:

• Definitions expressed by the participle or adjective with dependent words (Beauty hidden from the eyes does not bring joy) . At the same time, definitions of this type are not isolated when they stand after an indefinite, indicative or possessive pronoun (I portrayed something like a cloud. My escaped bride left for a taxi. These recently purchased curtains looked perfect).
• Two or more homogeneous definitions, if they are behind the main noun (Autumn followed, dry, warm). With the main words of this kind, an additional definition should be present (The neighboring town is small and cozy, surrounded by lush green lilacs.).
• The uncommon definition behind the subject, which is a circumstance (the Fox, guarded, stood as a statue).
• Definition - the circumstance facing the subject (Puzzled by the behavior of the rabbit, the fox could not quickly navigate).
• The definition, shared with the main word by the other members of the sentence (Watered by the rain, the spring earth breathed in fog) .
• Definition associated with a personal pronoun (Saddened, we went home). In exclamatory sentences, the definition is not distinguished (Ah, you little!).
• Inconsistent definition under a proper name (Fedor, with a briefcase, stopped the bus).
• A definition expressed by the adjective to a comparative degree, with dependent words (Unknown planet, immeasurably beautiful, ascended above the horizon).

This difficult how-to union

Let us examine the punctuation norms of the Russian language as an example of the “how” union.

Be sure to highlight when writing:

• comparative turns (Matvey, like a leopard, walked softly and firmly.) ;
• constructions of subordinate clauses (We know how terrible the fierce cold is.);
• when using the revolutions "... none other than ..." and "... nothing more than ...".

No comma needed:

• in the case when the turnover with the union “how” means identification (She looks like crazy.);
• construction is a circumstance (Petals showered like snow.);
• a turnover having an “how” union is predicate (These people are like relatives to him.);
• the union “how” is used in phraseology (“he ran like a hare”, “happened like in a fairy tale”, “appeared like out of the ground”);
  

Punctuation rules for the use of colon

The colon applies:

• the proposal contains the reason for the action (They did not speak for the whole change: they could not recover from the shock.);
• the next part contains an explanation or addition (Summer has passed: the leaves have fallen and the rain has often drizzled.);
• in the first part of the sentence there are verbs, after which the union “what” is likely (Yesterday he heard: wolves howled in the forest.);
• the second half of the sentence is a direct question (Tell me: where was what you did.).

When is a dash set?

The punctuation norms of the Russian language provide that a dash is set in the case of:

• a quick change of events is described (He turned on the music - he pounded the battery from below.);
• one part is opposed to another (Eating well - starving badly.);
• the conclusion is made in the proposal (Long wires - extra tears.);
• the unions “when”, “if” are meant (I walked past - I saw walks.);
• a comparison is applied (Looks - it will give the ruble.);
• between the two parts of the sentence is meant the union of “what” (She warned - it is dangerous here.)
• the proposal contains the construction of accession, possibly the content of the words “so”, “such” (Happiness forever - as a man commanded.).

Point

The smallest punctuation mark is a period. The root of this word is reflected in the name of several punctuation marks. In the 16-18 centuries. the question mark was called the "interrogation point", and the exclamation mark was called the "point of wonder."

• The point ends the narrative sentence (This year a surprisingly warm winter.).
• The point is set if the incentive sentence does not contain exclamatory intonation (Please raise the folder.). You can put an end to imaginative unions (Everything seemed to be under her control now. And she went on stage.).
• If the subordinate unions are at the beginning of the sentence in the connection structure, a period can be put before them (She left the dances quickly and imperceptibly. Because to look at the happiness of these two was beyond her strength.).
• The sentence, introductory for the further narration, ends with a period (Let us consider how the process of resettlement of human tribes in Europe developed.).

Mistakes and natural processes

Errors associated with the misuse of punctuation marks in letters are called punctuation.

They are divided into several types:

1. Skipping the required punctuation mark.
2. Use the punctuation mark where you do not need to put it.
3. Omission of one of the paired punctuation marks (quotation marks, brackets, dashes, commas).

Compared to spelling rules, punctuation is less stringent. The ability to choose from several options even generates the concept of author punctuation. This happens when the authors tend to use some kind of favorite sign. For example, a dash or colon, or even a period. Currently, the dash is actively crowding out other signs. First of all, they are often replaced by a colon. It is now used less often.

The use of semicolons in print has been reduced. It is replaced by a dot. Receive short sentences. This trend is seen in newspapers. The flexibility of the Russian system of punctuation marks allows spontaneous trends to change the rules of punctuation. An example of such processes, not limited by strict rules, is the reduction in the use of quotation marks. It would seem an inconspicuous punctuation mark. It was an aggressively used sign in Soviet times.

Another spontaneous process is an attempt to write Russian abbreviations with dots, as is customary in the West (VIP and VIP). In English, abbreviations can be written with and without dots. This is due to the fact that the English abbreviation is pronounced in separate letters. In our language, abbreviations are pronounced together as a word. And some transcripts are not immediately remembered (registry office, bunker). Setting points in such words would be a punctuation mistake.

The Russian language is not in vain called great and powerful. But it is not frozen and unchanging. Russian speech is saturated with neologisms and words that came from other languages. In the same way, punctuation norms are also adopted in an attempt to reflect the integration process. But one must never forget respect for language as a heritage honed by the centuries-old history of our people.