Punctuation : a meaning identifying element

Abstract EN

Every kind of regulated action or performance is carried out fol-lowing a certain set of conventions.

There are conventions for speaking, writing, reading, etc.

There are also conventions for punctuation.

As a matter of fact, punctuation itself is a convention.

It makes up for the into-nation that cannot be expressed due to the absence of vocal expression, and it makes up for the gestures that cannot be shown due to the absence of physical representation.

The present study aims at proving that punctuation (specifically com-ma) can identify meaning in writ-ten texts.

It tests students’ ability to discriminate meaning according to changes in comma position.

In addition to specifying the rules of comma that have direct effect on meaning.

To this end, the researchers designed a multiple choice question test to determine whether students are able to find the con-nection between the position of comma and the meaning of the given sentences.

Data analysis was performed using Chi-square test to compare proportions of correct and incorrect answers.

The result shows that the comma can identify meaning and its rules vary in their difficulty for students.

Finally, the study concludes with a number of recommendations.