Latest news with #punctuation
Telegraph
2 days ago
- General
- Telegraph
How using a full stop could give away your age
Using a full stop in texts could be giving away your age, an expert has suggested. Noël Wolf, a linguistic expert, said young people – aged from 13 to 28 – were rewriting the rules to 'shift' the meaning of inverted commas, quotation marks, ellipses, full stops and the dash. Using a full stop could actually be conveying a blunt tone, which Generation Z avoida, she told The Telegraph. Traditional usage of various punctuation marks has now been upended, with quotation marks used to imply irony or sarcasm rather than speech and full stops used to convey passive-aggressive bluntness instead of the neutral sentence ender. Meanwhile, ellipses are used to suggest awkwardness or hesitation and commas and dashes repurposed to signal emphasis and to mimic spoken language rather than a pause in the sentence. Ms Wolf cited writers' varying approaches to punctuation use, such as James Joyce and Cormac McCarthy, and their minimal use of punctuation to 'set a particular tone'. 'It's only natural, then, for contemporary writers to embrace this evolving function of punctuation and use it to convey more than just a pause or breath in a sentence,' she added. The language expert also pushed back on the idea that these practices are eroding grammar, instead arguing that it can be more 'emotionally precise'. It comes after it was revealed the semicolon could be dying out after its use has more than halved in two decades, according to language app Babbel. Young people who do not know how to use semicolons were shown as being behind the decline. Ms Wolf added that Gen Z is one of the 'main forces behind this shift in punctuation use' after they 'mainstreamed' new meanings on social media, but claimed it does not signal grammar is 'being destroyed'. She explained that having grown up largely on digital platforms, young people need to use punctuation 'as a way to convey the intended tone of a written short-form message when the tone may not be obvious'. 'Social media is, without question, the main driver behind this evolution,' Ms Wolf continued. 'Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, X and messaging apps have shaped a kind of informal digital writing style that prioritises tone, brevity, and relatability. 'In these spaces, punctuation becomes a crucial stand-in for the cues we'd normally get from tone of voice or facial expression.' She said: 'Grammar isn't being destroyed; it's being stretched to fit new modes of communication. For example, using quotation marks for sarcasm and ellipses for uncertainty 'mirrors real speech more closely' and marks an 'intuitive adaptation to digital life'. Ms Wolf added: 'What might be considered 'wrong' by traditional grammar standards can actually be emotionally precise.'
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Secret meanings behind how Gen Z use punctuation: Dashes, full stops and commas now stand for something totally different - so, do YOU understand the new code?
Everyday punctuation marks from the simple full stop to the quotation mark now mean something totally different as Gen Z adapt them to form new meanings, experts have revealed. Recently it was revealed that the semicolon is at risk of dying out because its use is plummeting, and now younger generations are re-purposing the punctuation marks that endure so that they no longer mean what they used to. For instance, teenagers are more likely to use a full stop as a blunt gesture, rather than to simply signify the end of a sentence. Noël Wolf, a linguistic expert at Babbel, told MailOnline: 'We're seeing a real shift in how punctuation is being used in everyday communication, particularly among younger generations. 'Inverted commas, or quotation marks, have traditionally served a clear grammatical purpose: indicating direct speech or quoting another source. 'But in contemporary digital communication, especially on platforms like TikTok, Instagram and X, they're being repurposed.' It's also reflected in work by contemporary writers such as Sally Rooney who have done away with quotation marks in their novels, so that when you do see them, they're not there to indicate direct speech. Gen Z's take on punctuation... Quotation mark - Signals irony, sarcasm or emotional distance Dash - Used for emphasis, interjections or sudden tonal shifts Comma - Implemented to mimic speech patterns or pacing Exclamation mark - Used to add a friendly touch Full stop - Signals bluntness or finality Ellipses - Conveys hesitation, awkwardness or emotional nuance Source - Noël Wolf, linguistic and cultural expert at Babbel 'Gen Z is now frequently using quotation marks to signal irony, sarcasm or emotional distance - for example, writing I'm "fine" to imply the opposite of fine,' he explained. 'It's become a kind of punctuation-based body language.' While people might be quick to assume that Gen Z are loosening society's grip on grammatical conventions, Noel argued the opposite. 'This isn't about grammar falling apart, but a creative adaptation of it. Punctuation is still valued, but its function is evolving. 'In an age where much communication happens via short-form text; such as messages, comments and captions, younger generations are using punctuation to convey tone, nuance and intent in the absence of voice or facial cues.' The expert explained that the adaptations have come into place as a consequence of the internet. He said, 'The internet, of course, is a driving force, with informal digital spaces encouraging experimentation. What might once have been seen as 'incorrect' punctuation is now part of a new, expressive way of interacting online. 'This doesn't mean rules are vanishing, they're just shifting. Interestingly, many young people still appreciate the power of punctuation when clarity matters; for example, in academic writing or professional contexts. So, rather than seeing punctuation as dying out, we should see it as diversifying. 'Its role in helping us communicate clearly, emotionally and effectively is arguably more important than ever, as we are constantly navigating multiple modes of communication, from texts and tweets to emails and essays.' The expert explained that it's not just quotation marks undergoing a change in meaning, but also exclamation marks and ellipses. 'Other punctuation marks are undergoing similar shifts,' he said, adding, 'Full stops, once essential for sentence clarity, are increasingly interpreted in messaging contexts as signalling bluntness or finality. 'A simple reply like 'Okay.' can be read as passive-aggressive or cold, depending on the social context, which is a sharp contrast to the more friendly 'Okay!' 'Linguistically, this shows how punctuation is now carrying emotional and social meaning, not just serving a grammatical function. 'Ellipses (...), once used to indicate omitted text or a trailing thought, now often convey hesitation, awkwardness or emotional nuance, for example, 'I guess… we'll see.' Wolf explained that even basic forms of grammar, such as the comma, are also developing to have different meanings. He said, 'Even the humble comma is being manipulated to mimic speech patterns or pacing. 'For example, 'So, um, that happened,' the comma creates rhythm and mimics the cadence of spoken language.' Elsewhere, Gen Z are embracing dashes and maximising their use, according to the expert. He said, 'Meanwhile, dashes (-) are thriving as versatile punctuation for emphasis, interjections or sudden tonal shifts: 'She said she was 'fine' - and then blocked me.' 'Their growing popularity may even be influenced by tools like ChatGPT, which frequently rely on em dashes to signal tone shifts, pauses or emphasis in text.' Wolf concluded, 'What we're witnessing is a form of punctuational code-switching. In formal contexts, most people, including Gen Z, revert to conventional usage. But in digital spaces, punctuation becomes part of a rich, multimodal communicative system. 'Tone, intent and identity are all being conveyed through tiny textual signals. The rise of informal, digital-first writing styles has certainly influenced this shift. 'On platforms like X, where brevity is key or in WhatsApp chats, punctuation often carries emotional weight as much as syntactic structure. 'In this sense, we're seeing the emergence of a functional punctuation dialect - one that's intuitive, adaptive and highly expressive. 'So, far from fading into obsolescence, punctuation is thriving, just in new and sometimes unexpected ways. As always, language adapts to fit the needs of its users.' Meanwhile, Gen Z are also changing the way they use the emojji. In an attempt to confuse the older generations, Gen Z are ditching 'mainstream' emoji in favour of bizarre alternatives. 'For the predominantly younger-skewing 'chronically online,' riding the wave of emerging trends helps forge identity and create distance from the 'out-of-touch' older generations,' explained Emojipedia. 'In a culture shaped by brainrot, post-irony, and existential dread, avoiding the mainstream is a badge of honor. 'Creating underground memes and micro-viral moments that distinguish an in-the-know in-group from outsiders can be mini-milestones in establishing a generation's internet identity, leaving others on the outside feeling confused and out of the loop, often intentionally so.'
The Guardian
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘A-posh-trophe' joke wins London school pupils a posh trophy
A joke about punctuation has been chosen as the funniest in a competition run by the Beano comic. Year 5 pupils at Riverley primary school in Leyton, east London, won the accolade with their joke: What do you call the fanciest punctuation? An a-posh-trophe. Their class teacher, Maisha Mahfuza, was named Britain's funniest teacher. The winners will be featured in this week's 4,290th edition of the Beano, drawn by the renowned artist Nigel Parkinson A panel of the comic's expert gag makers narrowed down the wittiest submissions to their favourite 10 finalists before handing the final decision to a public vote. Mike Stirling, the director of mischief at the Beano, said: 'As the only comic where kids are in charge, Beano continues to celebrate childhood in all its mischievous, screen-free glory. This annual competition is just one way Beano will power summer with pure fun, spotlighting the next generation of comedy geniuses. 'This perfectly crafted joke is creative, mischievous and 100% funny. It had us laughing out loud.' Mahfuza said: 'Seeing our class and joke featured in Beano was surreal. Britain's Funniest Class competition is a fantastic way to spark laughter, boost creativity and build confidence in children. 'Learning should always come with a healthy dose of fun, and how many people can say they've spread a good giggle beyond the classroom to the whole nation?' Sign up to Bookmarks Discover new books and learn more about your favourite authors with our expert reviews, interviews and news stories. Literary delights delivered direct to you after newsletter promotion The winning school will receive the official Beano 'Britain's Funniest Class' trophy, Gnasher badges and comic subscriptions for the whole class. Other jokes in the top 10 included: What's the cleverest school dinner? Maths potato; Why did the shark have stomach ache? Because it ate a school dinner; What's the difference between Dennis and Gnasher? Dennis wears shorts and Gnasher pants; What's the opposite of a dandelion? A BeanoTiger; and Why did the chicken cross the road? Be-CAAWWW-se.
Daily Mail
07-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Gen Z says the em dash is the ‘coolest punctuation ever'
Gen Z: I am — and I don't say this lightly — so busy. Boomer: What's with all the dashes? Is Morse code having a moment? Em dashes are a vibe. One X user calls them the 'coolest punctuation ever' — the Charli XCX of grammar. Confusing and jarring? Sassy and smart — they draw attention. More like a fax machine: clunky, awkward and best left in the last century. The em dash is everywhere, according to The Washington Post, because it's ChatGPT's favourite punctuation mark. Is that a new Turing test component: asking if AI prefers dashes or colons? 'We — and ChatGPT — have a soft spot for the em dash,' an OpenAI employee told the Post. A journalist called it 'my emotional support punctuation mark'. Once used by Emily Dickinson in her poetry; now therapy for chatbots. Why the winky face? Is that a joke about my bad eye? No, I mean the ; It's actually called a semicolon and it's the 'most elegant and elusive of punctuation marks' to both The Spectator and myself. So jarring. You know they're used only half as much now as they were in 2000? Because of your generation's inability to practise decent grammar? Because the semicolon is old and stuffy. It's a monocle in punctuation form. Excuse me but I agree with The Spectator: 'Like napkins, black tie and having a glass of champagne before lunch, the semicolon remains a bulwark against civilisational decline.' Forget mad dictators and ravaging wars. Boomers say the semicolon will save us! I'm sorry that we value the English language. But I saw on X some old bloke named Kurt Vonnegut said semicolons 'represent absolutely nothing' and are only used to 'show you went to college'. I'm not taking literary advice from someone who calls the author of Slaughterhouse-Five 'some old bloke named Kurt'. Stop being aggy. You're giving hostile punctuator vibes. Is that the 2025-friendly way of calling someone a grammar Nazi? It's when you overuse punctuation so your texts look like they're from a thriller. How can a tiny mark come across as hostile? Take the Boomer obsession with ellipsis. Go on… Exactly what I mean! TikToker Elâ got 527,000 likes on her clip noting everyone over 60 insists on ending texts with '…' It softens the end of a sentence. It seems like you're planning something sinister. Eg 'My mum always texts me like 'dad's not home…'' And what's wrong with that? 'It makes it sound like she's buried him in the backyard.' Ironic from someone who thinks a skull emoji is an appropriate reaction to a joke. We've spoken about this, it means I'm dying from laughter. So what should I end my texts with? A full stop? If you want to be shady, sure. It's 'shady' to end a clause with good grammar? Full stops give such sus energy! According to Stylist, if someone uses a full stop 'they're angry and want you to know they're angry, but they're not in the mood for a direct confrontation'. Or maybe they're just proficient in English? Put it this way: if my mum texts saying 'I'm not annoyed.' I know to turn up with flowers and a bottle of Whispering Angel. It's three words and a dot, you're reading too much into it. No cap, I've had friendships end over a bitchy full stop instead of a kissy face. I'm not sure what 'no cap' means, but that really does bring things to a full stop. Your jokes are as cringey as your punctuation habits. This has got me thinking about the difference between your generation and the semicolon. Only one has valid use in the 21st century? Only one is capable of stringing together complex thoughts.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bridal bucket is the best wedding gift
Re wedding lists (The toilet roll wedding list – is this the least romantic gift request ever?, 20 May), when my parents announced their engagement in 1951, one of my mother's sisters, then on a low wage, bought a bucket. Each week on payday, she added some household item to it – a scrubbing brush, a mop, a floor cloth, shoe polish and brushes, cleaning products. It was the most useful wedding gift they received, according to my mother. Cliodhna Dempsey Bereldange, Luxembourg • 'We have created incentives to try to retain our most precious resource, which is our management team,' the chair of Thames Water is quoted as saying in your article (23 May). I would suggest their most precious resource is clean water. Their management is pretty inept if they don't realise people reckon their track record warrants no bonus. If anything, they should be paying fines for the DunnSt Andrews, Fife • I wholeheartedly agree with Lucy Mangan in her defence of the semicolon (Digested week, 23 May); however, I note with regret that she has not seen fit to use this valuable punctuation mark in her CopasBrentwood, Essex • At school in the 1950s, we were told that, if in doubt, we should read a sentence aloud and if a pause sounded right with a count to one, a comma was required, two – a semicolon, and three – a colon. It seemed to RowleyDidsbury, Manchester • Stand by for balaclavas becoming ubiquitous fashion wear (Live facial recognition cameras may become 'commonplace' as police use soars, 24 May).Colin Prower Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire • 'Artificial intelligence to play increasing role in armed forces, says defence secretary' (20 May). Could this be one small step on the road to the dystopia envisioned by the Terminator franchise?Tony RimmerLytham St Annes, Lancashire
