Anyone familiar with Old Russian letters knows that they were created by continuous “ligature” of words without intervals, especially since there were no punctuation marks in them. Only at the end of the 15th century did a dot appear in the texts, at the beginning of the next century a comma joined it, and even later a question mark “registered” on the pages of manuscripts. It is noteworthy that until this moment, its role was played by a semicolon for some time. Following the question, the exclamation mark was not slow to appear .
The symbol originates in the Latin word quaestio, which translates as "search for an answer." For the image of the sign, the letters q and o were used, which were first depicted on the letter one above the other. Over time, the graphic appearance of the sign took the form of an elegant curl with a dot below.
What does the question mark mean?
The Russian linguist scientist Fedor Buslaev argued that punctuation (the science of punctuation marks) has two tasks - to help a person clearly state their thoughts, separating sentences, as well as its parts from each other, and express emotions. Among these are the question mark.
Of course, the very first thing that this symbol means is a question. In oral speech, it is expressed by the corresponding intonation, which is called interrogative. Another question mark may mean bewilderment or doubt. Sentences with a question mark sometimes express a figure of speech called a rhetorical question. He is asked not for the purpose of asking, but in order to express admiration, indignation, and similar strong feelings, as well as to encourage the listener, reader to comprehend this or that event. The answer to the rhetorical question is given by the author himself. In a company with an exclamation mark, the interrogative conveys the meaning of extreme surprise.
Where to put it, if you need to express a question
Where do the sentences in Russian put a question mark? The symbol is usually located at the end of the sentence, but not only. We consider each case in more detail.
- The question mark is at the end of a simple sentence expressing the question. ( For example : What are you looking for here? Why does water turn into ice?)
- The question mark is located inside the interrogative sentence when listing homogeneous members. ( For example : What do you cook - soup? Roast? Turkey?)
- In complex sentences, this sign is placed at the end even if all its parts contain a question, even if only the last part of the sentence contains it. ( For example : 1. How long will I wait for the call, or will it be my turn to come soon? 2. He sincerely laughed, and who would have remained indifferent to such a joke?)
- In complex sentences, a question mark is placed at the end:
1. When a question includes both the main and the subordinate clause. ( For example : Do you know what kind of surprises happen on campaigns?)
2. When it is contained only in the main sentence. ( For example : Do we really not want a world?)
3. If the question is enclosed in the subordinate clause. ( For example : Various bold thoughts prevailed over his inflamed consciousness, although could this at least help his sister?) - In a union-free sentence, a question mark is placed at the end:
1. If the question contains all its parts. ( For example : Where should I go, where to look for shelter, who will lend me a friendly hand?)
2. If the question is concluded only in its last part. ( For example : Be honest with me: how long do I have to live?)
Where to put a question mark, if you need to express doubt
When designating doubts, suspicions, and thoughts, a question mark is placed in the middle of the sentence and bracketed: Some people came in robes, prisoners or workers (?) And sat around the fire.
When the question mark can not be put
In a complex sentence, in which the subordinate clause sounds like an indirect question, the question mark is not posed. ( For example : I did not begin to tell him why I did not read this book.) However, if the interrogative intonation is too great, then a sentence with an indirect question can be crowned with this sign. ( Example : I can’t figure out how to solve this problem after all? They were persistently interested in how I became a millionaire?)
Figurative meaning
Sometimes a question mark is mentioned in a speech with allegorical purpose, wanting to express something mysterious, incomprehensible, hidden. In this case, the phrase “question mark” sounds like a metaphor. ( For example : Those events forever remained for me an unclear mystery, a question mark, some kind of vivid but confused dream.)
Somersault Question Mark
There are languages ​​in which this symbol becomes "upside down." For example, in Greek and Old Slavonic (used by the Orthodox Church) languages ​​it is written with the hook down, point up. In Spanish, the sign at the end of the interrogative sentence is complemented by its inverted "twin." Turned in a curl to the other side, it adorns Arabic texts. The head turned the question mark and the programming language.