by David Crystal (Author)
Behind every punctuation mark lie a thousand stories. The punctuation of English, marked with occasional rationality, is founded on arbitrariness and littered with oddities. For a system of a few dozen marks it generates a disproportionate degree of uncertainty and passion, inspiring organisations like the Apostrophe Protection Society and sending enthusiasts, correction-pens in hand, in a crusade against error across the United States. Professor Crystal leads us through this minefield with characteristic wit, clarity and commonsense. He gives a fascinating account of the origin and progress of every kind of punctuation mark over one and a half millennia, and he offers sound advice on how punctuation may be used to meet the needs of every occasion and context.
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 400
Edition: Main
Publisher: Profile Books
Published: 17 Sep 2015
ISBN 10: 1781253501
ISBN 13: 9781781253502
Book Overview: The triumphant new volume in David Crystal's classic series on the English language combines the first history of English punctuation with a complete guide to how to use it