Punctuation marks as elements of communication in the Digital Age

Abstract

Letters, signs and symbols that humanity uses to express their thoughts and emotions, are constantly changing. The written language is dynamic in its very nature, and among the main factors contributing to its continuous evolution are the different types of media we use for communication – that is, various channels through which we communicate with each other. These channels have also evolved over time, starting fromthe earliest petroglyphs on cave walls through hand-written manuscripts followed by printed books to the modern instant messengers and social networks in the digital age. A hidden, yet very important part of the written language is punctuation. Traditionally, punctuation is primarily used for grammatical purposes, serving to structure a written text. On the other hand, a variety of previously unseen options for using punctuation nowadays give it a new role and a separate meaning, different from what we knew.More specifically, an important aspect of using punctuation in digital communication is the tendency to use it as a way of expressing personal emotions and non-verbal signals, such as facial cues and gestures in live, face-to-face communication, that are typically not possible to convey otherwise. The role of punctuation still remains unsettled in the context of the long-lasting pursuit for a universal communication language. As of today, punctuation is not yet seen as a separate, stand-alone writing system, but is rather its integral part. Nevertheless, the use of punctuation marks in the form of emoticons, widely recognisable by people from different cultures and backgrounds, as well as the emergence of multiple newly-created signs, suggests that punctuation has the potential to become a kind of universal language, at least in the form of pictograms. In this context, investigating the various techniques and methods for using punctuation in a novel way becomes of great importance. This research will not only determine the direction, in which written language develops, but will also provide type creators, designers, psychologists and linguists with a valuable knowledge to be utilised in their work. Accordingly, this thesis aims to analyse different contemporary ways of using punctuation in such areas as graphic design and digital communication. The paper looks at novel, unconventional punctuation marks, as well as possible combinations of punctuation marks. The thesis also classifies and defines the main functions of punctuation, as well as the existing differences in the use of punctuation in the conventional written language, graphic design, and informal digital communication. The research methodology of the presented study includes research methods, such as information classification, comparison, synthesis and generalisation. The study also relies on a thorough literature survey and historical analysis of the findings. The practical part of the presented study presents a case study that was conducted using interviewing and surveying techniques.