The culture of speech has always been determined by its correctness. The very first step is knowledge of the principles of the Russian language.
Rules of the Russian language
Norm (derived from the Latin norma - literally "square", figurative meaning - "rule") - the generally accepted mandatory order. All sections of the language are managed in a certain way. The modern Russian language is guided by various rules. These are spelling and punctuation rules. They are orthoepic (phonetic) and phraseological, morphological and syntactic, stylistic.
For example, spelling norms regulate the choice of graphic spelling of a word. Punctuation determines the choice of punctuation marks, as well as their arrangement in the text.
Punctuation norms
A punctuation norm is a rule that indicates 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 defineculture 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 enshrined in the rules. The punctuation norm regulates the choice of options for constructing sentences. It also controls the speech of the speaker. True, the assessment of "true - false" in relation to the punctuation norm largely depends on the subject. Russian punctuation is extremely flexible.
It contains both the rules and the ability to choose options for punctuation marks at the discretion of the writer. The use of a certain variant of punctuation in written speech may depend on the meaning of the text or the stylistic features of writing.
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 with spelling or word order in a sentence. Probably punctuation arose in connection with this. A. P. Chekhov compared punctuation marks with notes leading the reader in the direction that the author set. With the help of punctuation we perceive the text.
It serves to separate speech in writing graphically. Punctuation also indicates the division of text according to meaning, intonation and structure. Choosing punctuation marks, we rely on the meaning of speech. The concept of a punctuation norm is almost identical to the concept of a language norm. It is characterized by stability, widedissemination, obligatory and traditional character. These are all qualities of the norm.
At the same time, it may well change, since the objects to which the norm applies are constantly evolving. The meaning of punctuation in the Russian language is to reflect the changes that are accumulating in its structure and semantics. The punctuation should match the written message with the author's intent. This will be compliance with the norm.
How does it work?
The first punctuation function is semantic. Remember the classic phrase "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 to form the structure of the text. It reflects the differences in the structure of sentences.
Punctuation in this case:
- share structures;
- highlight semantic units in the text.
Punctuation basics
Principles are the basic foundations of punctuation norms and rules. They define the use of punctuation marks.
- Grammar principle.
- The principle of understanding. When translating any phrase of oral speech into a letter, the meaning must be preserved.
- 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 strictly dependent on certain punctuation marks. It can affect punctuation. As well as vice versa.
Can't build everythingrules on some particular principle. For example, if one strives to reflect the intonation of a phrase as fully as possible, it would be necessary to designate all pauses with signs. And that would make the punctuation very confusing.
The grammatical structure of the sentence is not always reflected thoroughly. For example: "There was nothing here: brown dates and yellow bananas, ruby cherries and orange grapefruit." If everything is described in detail here, then a comma would also be placed before the union “and”. Russian punctuation is based precisely on the simultaneous action of these three principles.
Obligation
The signs used to structure the sentence are called mandatory:
- period - a punctuation mark that indicates the end of a sentence (Starting our first lesson.);
- commas separating parts of a compound sentence (Aleksey and Vika went to a cafe after the working day ended.);
- signs that isolate constructions that are not members of the sentence (It might be cool this spring. Oh, my God, where are you so dirty?);
- commas in the construction of the enumeration of equal members of the sentence (The Christmas tree shimmered with red, yellow, green lights.);
- signs that separate applications and definitions (In the park, only a girl - an ice cream seller - slowly rolled her cart.).
Compulsory marks provide a normative link between written and spoken language.
What to do withdefinitions?
Usually, punctuation errors are made when highlighting definitions in a sentence.
Need to separate:
- Definitions expressed by a participle or an adjective with dependent words (Beauty hidden from the eyes does not bring joy). At the same time, definitions of this type do not isolate when they come after an indefinite, demonstrative, or possessive pronoun (I drew something that looks like a cloud. My runaway bride took a taxi. Those curtains I recently bought looked perfect).
- Two or more similar definitions, if they follow the main noun (Followed by autumn, dry, warm). With the main words of this kind, there should be an additional definition (The neighboring town, small and cozy, is surrounded by lush greenery of lilacs.).
- Uncommon definition behind the subject, which is a circumstance (the Fox, wary, stood like a statue).
- Definition - circumstance before the subject (Puzzled by the behavior of the rabbit, the fox could not quickly orient himself).
- Definition shared with the main word by other members of the sentence (Spring land filled with rain, breathed mist).
- Definition associated with a personal pronoun (Sadden, we went home). In exclamatory sentences, the definition is not distinguished (Oh, you are small!).
- Inconsistent definition of a proper name (Fedor, with a briefcase, stopped the bus).
- Definition expressed by an adjective in a comparative degree, with dependentwords (An unknown planet, immeasurably beautiful, rose above the horizon).
This difficult "how" conjunction
Let's analyze the punctuation norms of the Russian language on the example of the union "how".
Be sure to highlight when writing:
- comparative turns (Matvey, like a leopard, walked softly and resiliently.);
- constructs of subordinate clauses (We know how terrible the cold is fierce.);
- when using phrases “…nothing but…” and “…nothing but…”.
No comma needed:
- in the case when the turnover with the union "how" denotes identification (She looks like a crazy person.);
- design is circumstance (Petals fell like snow.);
- turn, having the conjunction "how", is a predicate (These people are like family to him.);
- conjunction "how" is used in idiom ("ran like a hare", "it happened like in a fairy tale", "appeared as if from under the ground");
Punctuation norms for colons
Colon applied:
- the sentence contains the reason for the action (The whole change was silent: they could not recover from the shock.);
- the next part contains an explanation or addition (Summer passed: the leaves fell and it 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 were you, what did you do.).
Whenput a dash?
Punctuation norms of the Russian language provide that a dash is placed in the case of:
- describes a quick change of events (He turned on the music - there was a knock on the battery from below.);
- one part opposed to the other (Eating is good - starving is bad.);
- the sentence concludes (Long send-offs are extra tears.);
- means unions "when", "if" (Walked by - saw the festivities.);
- comparison is applied (Look - he will give a ruble.);
- the union “what” is implied between the two parts of the sentence (She warned - it’s dangerous here.);
- the sentence contains an attachment construction, possibly the content of the words "so", "such" (Happiness forever - so the 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 "question point", and the exclamation mark was called the "surprise point".
- End a declarative sentence with a full stop (It's been a surprisingly warm winter this year.).
- The point is put if the incentive sentence does not contain an exclamatory intonation (Pick up the folder, please.). You can put an end to composing unions (It seemed that everything was under her control now. And she went on stage.).
- If subordinating conjunctions are at the beginning of a sentence in an adjunctive construction, they can be preceded by a dot (She left the dance quickly and quietly. Because looking at the happiness of these two was beyond herstrength.).
- The sentence, introductory to further narration, ends with a dot (Let's consider how the process of resettlement of human tribes in Europe developed.).
Mistakes and spontaneous processes
Errors associated with the incorrect use of punctuation marks in writing are called punctuation errors.
They are divided into several types:
- Skipping a required punctuation mark.
- Using punctuation where it shouldn't.
- Skipping one of the paired punctuation marks (quotes, brackets, dashes, commas).
Compared to spelling rules, punctuation rules are less rigid. The ability to choose from several options even gives rise to the concept of author's punctuation. This happens when the authors tend to use some favorite sign. For example, a dash or a colon, or even a period. Currently, the dash is actively crowding out other characters. First of all, they are often replaced by a colon. It is now used less often.
Reduced use of semicolons in print. It is replaced by a dot. Receive short sentences. This trend can be seen in newspapers. The flexibility of the Russian punctuation system allows spontaneous trends to change the norms of punctuation. An example of such processes, not limited by strict rules, is the reduction of the use of quotation marks. It would seem an imperceptible punctuation mark. It was an aggressively used sign during the Soviet era.
Another spontaneous process is the attempt to write Russianabbreviations with dots, as is customary in the West (V. I. P. and VIP). In English, abbreviations can be written with or without dots. This is due to the fact that the English abbreviation is pronounced in separate letters. In our language, abbreviations are pronounced together, like a word. And some transcripts are not immediately remembered (registry office, bunker). Dots in such words would be a punctuation error.
The Russian language is called great and powerful for a reason. But it is not fixed and unchanging. Russian speech is saturated with neologisms and words that came from other languages. Similarly, punctuation norms are adopted in an attempt to reflect the process of integration. But we must never forget about respect for the language as a heritage honed by the age-old history of our people.
