SEMANTIC FOUNDATIONS OF PUNCTUATION IN ENGLISH: BASED ON THE MATERIALS OF DRAMATIC WORKS
Keywords:
Key words: Punctuation, Semantics, Dramatic Literature, English Language, Dialogue, Interpretation, Performance, Rhetoric, Syntax, Literary AnalysisAbstract
Abstract
This article explores the semantic role of punctuation in English, focusing on
how punctuation marks contribute to meaning and interpretation within dramatic
works. By analyzing the use of punctuation in dialogue and stage directions, the study
investigates how these seemingly small marks influence pace, tone, characterization,
and the overall understanding of dramatic texts. The research argues that punctuation
is not merely a grammatical convention, but a crucial tool for playwrights to convey
nuances of meaning and create specific effects for the audience. The analysis will
consider the use of commas, semicolons, colons, dashes, ellipses, question marks, and
exclamation marks, examining how their strategic deployment shapes the reader's
experience and informs performance. Ultimately, this study aims to illuminate the
complex interplay between punctuation, language, and dramatic expression.
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