Semicolon | History, Uses, Facts and Semicolon In Different Languages

Semicolon: Language is complicated yet simple. It’s a way we communicate, express our emotions, and understand those of others. There are two forms of language: written and spoken. While your tone supports spoken words, it becomes difficult to understand the written one. Symbols, punctuations add meaning to the words and sentences we write; they make them legible.

In a long list of punctuations you often use, there is one hidden away at the back of your mind—an intricate one at that- a semicolon. Most people find it difficult to incorporate a semicolon(;) in their work. But why?

Let us look at this punctuation with a magnifying glass.

What is a Semicolon?

A semicolon is a symbol used in varied languages, particularly English. It is used as orthographic punctuation, commonly used to join two independent clauses that are closely related. A semicolon expresses something more than a comma and less than a full stop.

It is understandable; due to its complex usage, people tend to choose a different sentence form rather than a semicolon. Where did this symbol come from?

History of Semicolon

Unlike the other symbols, the semicolon is young. The first printed work dates back to an Italian printer, Aldus Manutius, the Elder, in 1496. It had been used in a book called De Aetna. It was used to bring about the sudden change in the expression of sentences holding different meanings; yet written together.

Ben Johnson was the first English writer to use a semicolon in his work.

Use Of The Semicolon In Literature

Unlike the full stop, exclamation marks, or question marks, A semicolon is used to join two sentences. How to use a semicolon in a statement?

We use it when there are two independent clauses not connected with a conjunction. A conjunction is a word that connects statements like “and,” “but,” etc. The semicolon shows a better relation between the statements while they still establish their distinct values.

Examples-

✓ She liked to dance; I liked to sing.

✓ We told Pam we were leaving the city; we wondered if she knew we were joking.

In the above sentences, there is a common thing between the clauses. Still, they can be independently understood.

Used When Two Sentences Already Have a List of Numerous Commas

It often becomes difficult to separate two clauses, especially if they have commas already within them. A semicolon helps distinguish between the two clauses.

Example-

I have been to Srinagar, Delhi, Lucknow, Jaipur in the north; Mangalore, Kochi, Chennai, and Puducherry in the south.

A semicolon is used to put more impact on a statement.

A semicolon can be used with conjunction adverbs like “therefore,” “moreover,” “nevertheless,” and “however.”They can even be used with explicit statements. Not only does a semicolon make a sentence short and precise, but it also impacts the readers.

Example-

Hannah kept shouting in the middle of the lecture; therefore, she was sent to the principal’s office.

Used in Poems

Poems usually have shorter sentences combined neatly. Semicolons add to the meaning of a poem without making it sound disordered. It allows the reader s a pause to ponder upon the line said and a continuation to establish a connection between the two ideas.

Example-

When the lights are out, the world is dark,

the birds sleep, and dogs weep,

we shall meet, and we will; that is a promise I would keep.

On the occasion where a comma replaces a full stop.

Sometimes writing quoted texts can lead to commas instead of full stops at the end of the dialogue. In such cases, a semicolon can be used instead of a comma to maintain the continuity of the sentence.

Example-

“Did you receive the mail,” she asked;” I have been eager for the reply.”

Other Uses

The use of semicolons has spread beyond the boundaries of literature. Let us see how and where the semicolon can be used.

Programming

Literature is not the only language we learn and read and write in today’s world. Computer languages have developed and created a place for themselves in our lives. These languages written mainly in English require a lot of symbols. The semicolon is also used extensively in these programming languages. Examples of programming languages are Java, HTML, C++. In most of them, it is used as a terminator. In HTML, it is used to terminate character entity reference. The file system of RSX-11 uses semicolons as a file number indicator. In Microsoft Excel, it is used as a list separator.

Mathematics

In a function statement, a semicolon is used to separate variables from fixed parameters. F(x1,x2,……..; a1,a2,……).

A semicolon is also used in differential geometry and calculus.

Emoticons

A semicolon can further be used to indicate winking or crying emoticons commonly used during chatting online. These include ;_; and 😉

Project Semicolon

The semicolon is not only a symbol that adds to sentences; it also has become a symbol that adds to life. The general philosophy of a semicolon continuing a sentence rather than terminating it describes the motto of an anti-suicide initiative. A semicolon is only a pause in a sentence; similarly, one might experience various pauses in their life. These pauses are not the end of it; instead, they are an assurance of life ahead.

Project Semicolon was started in 2013 by Amy Bleuel to help people out of depression, thoughts of self-harm and show them that they are not alone. As the movement began, it encouraged people to draw a semicolon on their wrists in solidarity. This particular thought has made the semicolon quite a popular symbol for a tattoo done on the wrist. Famous artist Selena Gomez has one such semicolon tattoo which reprints mental health awareness and suicide prevention. It has thus become a symbol of hope and faith and the fact that one must keep going.

Semicolon vs Colon

Even when you know when to use a semicolon, it is essential to understand when not to use one. Other symbols that a semicolon can be confused with consist of colons, hyphens, and even commas. So the next question that we should have an answer to – what is a colon?

Colon is another symbol (:) with several uses in literature. It can be used to introduce examples, explain a topic, a list of items, or a quotation. It can also be used to provide emphasis in a statement.

While a colon introduces a list of items, the semicolon merely separates the items in it.

Example-

Four guys died in the store; Ron, Fred, Josh, And Caleb. Four guys died in the store: Ron, Fred, Josh, And Caleb.

The first sentence is an inappropriate use of punctuation as clearly a list of victims has been introduced in the given sentence. This is properly depicted by the use of a colon instead of a semicolon.

Semicolon In Different Languages

Arabic: In Arabic, the semicolon is referred to as Fasila Mnqoota. This can be used between two clauses where the first one is a cause of the second. It can also be used in connecting phrases where the second is the reason for the first one.

Greek: In greek, a semicolon is used as a question mark. Thus a semicolon in Greek is used as a terminator instead of a connector.

French– Semicolon in French is used in connecting two sentences that are complete. Usage of a comma or colon between them would be inappropriate.

Fun Facts!!

Courtroom troublemaker-

A semicolon used in the courtroom in the definition of war crimes in the charter of

the international military tribunal threatened to derail the prosecution of the Nazis until it

was swapped for a comma.

Liquor service was interrupted in Boston for 6 years because of a semicolon added in

transcription during the 20th century.

In the 1950s, a judge was named ” the semicolon judge,” as he loved using semicolons

while giving verdicts. It almost caused hearts to fail!

Criticism- Semicolon has been highly popular and even more so criticized by the writers.

Writers like McCarthy, Ernest Hemingway, and Jurt Vonnegut avoided its usage. Kurt described semicolon as ” transvestite hermaphrodite representing nothing.” Grammar scholar James j. Kilpatrick even stooped to call a semicolon shy, bashful, gutless, girly, and therefore ” useless.”

Extinct- Newspaper columnists estimated the semicolon usage to be extinct after six months in the 1970s. That has been proven wrong so far. No matter how undecisive the punctuation seems, its changing nature has led to a grip in our society.

Conclusion on Semicolon

In conclusion, a semicolon is a diverse symbol with its usage in various streams of life. Even though it’s difficult to use, it enhances your work when you understand it correctly. There has been an ongoing debate on how important a semicolon is. As stated by Lynne Truss, ” just as there are writers who worship the semicolon, there are other high stylists who dismiss it- who label it, if you.

please, middle-class.” The semicolon, as a symbol, will continue to thrive till we shall love it for its fun and exciting value.

English Grammar