18 votes

Punctuation that failed to make its mark

10 comments

  1. [4]
    zendainc
    Link
    That was a pretty interesting read, and pretty appropriate for posting to a site named after a punctuation mark. I'm surprised by how few people these days know when to use a semi-colon. I...

    That was a pretty interesting read, and pretty appropriate for posting to a site named after a punctuation mark.

    I'm surprised by how few people these days know when to use a semi-colon. I certainly don't use them appropriately.

    6 votes
    1. [4]
      Comment deleted by author
      Link Parent
      1. zendainc
        Link Parent
        I'm always paranoid that I rely on commas too much.

        I'm always paranoid that I rely on commas too much.

        1 vote
      2. [2]
        amoeba
        Link Parent
        Once upon a time, a friend's father explained punctuation as akin to music notation. For some reason, that really clicked with me; it just made sense that different punctuation could indicate the...

        Once upon a time, a friend's father explained punctuation as akin to music notation. For some reason, that really clicked with me; it just made sense that different punctuation could indicate the length and the intended tone.

        Tangentially, what program do you use for dashes? That sounds interesting.

        1. [2]
          Comment deleted by author
          Link Parent
          1. amoeba
            Link Parent
            Thanks for the info. I'll check Breevy out.

            Thanks for the info. I'll check Breevy out.

  2. [6]
    Comment deleted by author
    Link
    1. [5]
      Algernon_Asimov
      Link Parent
      The emoji of today is the SarcMark or interrobang of yesteryear. They're what add nuance to our textual communication. Instead of putting an interrobang on a question, I might add a "wow" emoji or...

      It's the age of the emoji now.

      The emoji of today is the SarcMark or interrobang of yesteryear. They're what add nuance to our textual communication. Instead of putting an interrobang on a question, I might add a "wow" emoji or emoticon:
      You did what? :O

      Emoji/Emoticons are the punctuation of this new medium.

      6 votes
      1. [5]
        Comment deleted by author
        Link Parent
        1. [3]
          Algernon_Asimov
          Link Parent
          That's an issue of implementation, not design.

          Emojis though, those I find to be the real step back. They look different on different devices.

          That's an issue of implementation, not design.

          2 votes
          1. [3]
            Comment deleted by author
            Link Parent
            1. [2]
              Algernon_Asimov
              Link Parent
              If the emoji was not ambiguous, that would change this question. Most emoji are supposed to be based on human expressions, which most human beings have a lot of experience decoding. Meanwhile, an...

              How much clearer is an end mark than an ambigious emoji?

              If the emoji was not ambiguous, that would change this question. Most emoji are supposed to be based on human expressions, which most human beings have a lot of experience decoding.

              Meanwhile, an end mark is another character we have to learn the meaning of.

              Don't get me wrong: I'm not against end marks in any way. I'm merely pointing out the real outcome that emoji exist and are common, whereas new end marks never caught on. And emoji are not without usefulness. However, I agree that emoji need to be standardised to be more useful.

              1 vote
              1. [2]
                Comment deleted by author
                Link Parent
                1. Algernon_Asimov
                  Link Parent
                  And even with the exact same end mark, different people would see it with very different sentiments. We all filter what we read through our own perceptions.

                  Even with the exact same emoji, different people saw it with very different sentiments.

                  And even with the exact same end mark, different people would see it with very different sentiments. We all filter what we read through our own perceptions.

  3. thisonemakesyouthink
    Link
    I still occasionally use the interobang, although it is harder than a simple question mark or exclamation mark. I have an auto hotkey script set to ctrl+shift+1. ‽

    I still occasionally use the interobang, although it is harder than a simple question mark or exclamation mark. I have an auto hotkey script set to ctrl+shift+1. ‽

    1 vote