The humble full stop, a punctuation mark we use every day, has a name that sparks curiosity in many of us. Why is it called a period? This seemingly innocuous query opens the door to a fascinating exploration of the history of language, typography, and cultural influences. In this article, we’ll delve into the intriguing story behind the full stop’s dual identity and uncover the reasons behind its period moniker.
The Ancient Origins of the Full Stop
The full stop, also known as a point or dot, has its roots in ancient Greece. The Greek philosopher, Aristophanes of Byzantium, is credited with using a symbol resembling a dot (·) to separate words and clauses in written texts around 200 BCE. This innovation marked the beginning of punctuation as we know it today.
Fast-forward to the Middle Ages, where scribes used a variety of symbols to indicate pauses in written texts, including the virgula (a slash-like mark), punctus (a point), and punctus elevatus (a point with a hook). The modern full stop, a small, rounded dot, began to take shape during this period.
The Advent of Printing and the Emergence of the Period
The invention of the printing press in the 15th century revolutionized the way texts were produced and disseminated. With the advent of movable type, punctuation marks had to be standardized to facilitate efficient printing. It was during this time that the term “period” began to gain popularity.
The word “period” comes from the Greek word periodos, meaning “circuit” or “completion.” In the context of punctuation, a period signified the end of a cycle or a complete thought. This etymological connection is not coincidental, as the full stop was initially used to mark the end of a sentence, paragraph, or even a chapter.
In the 16th century, the term “period” became synonymous with the full stop, particularly in American English.
The development of typography played a significant role in shaping the full stop’s design and nomenclature. In the early days of printing, typefounders and printers needed a symbol that could be easily cast and set in metal type. The full stop, with its simple, rounded shape, was an ideal candidate.
The Rise of the Point System
In the 18th century, a point system was introduced to standardize typography. The point system measured the size of typefaces in terms of points, with the point being a unit of measurement equal to 0.01383 inches. This system enabled printers to accurately set type and calculate the space required for punctuation marks, including the full stop.
The term “point” became synonymous with the full stop, as it referred to a specific size and shape of the punctuation mark.
Monotype and the Modern Full Stop
The introduction of the Monotype machine in the late 19th century revolutionized the printing industry. This machine enabled the production of individual characters, including punctuation marks, with unprecedented accuracy and consistency. The modern full stop, with its precise, rounded shape, was born.
The dual identity of the full stop as both a full stop and a period is attributed to linguistic and cultural differences between British and American English.
In British English, the term “full stop” has been in use since the early 17th century. This terminology is closely tied to the punctuation mark’s function, which is to bring a sentence to a full stop or completion.
In the UK, Canada, and other parts of the English-speaking world, “full stop” is the preferred term, reflecting the mark’s role in terminating a sentence or clause.
In American English, the term “period” gained prominence in the late 18th century, particularly with the influence of Noah Webster’s dictionary. Webster, a pioneering linguist, advocated for the use of “period” to describe the punctuation mark, citing its etymological connection to the Greek periodos.
Over time, “period” became the standard term in American English, reflecting the mark’s role in marking the end of a cycle or complete thought.
While the full stop is an essential punctuation mark in many languages, its terminology and usage vary across cultures.
In European languages, such as French (point), German (Punkt), and Italian (punto), the term for full stop is closely tied to the word for “point” or “dot.” This nomenclature mirrors the mark’s graphical representation and reflects its function as a punctuation mark.
In non-European languages, such as Mandarin Chinese (jìntiáo) and Japanese (konpyō), the term for full stop is often more descriptive, emphasizing the mark’s role in terminating a sentence or clause.
| Language | Term for Full Stop |
|---|---|
| French | Point |
| German | Punkt |
| Italian | Punto |
| Mandarin Chinese | Jìntiáo |
| Japanese | Konpyō |
The full stop, whether called a period or full stop, is an indispensable punctuation mark in written language. Its dual identity reflects the complex history of language, typography, and cultural influences that have shaped our understanding of this humble mark.
As we navigate the complexities of language, it’s essential to appreciate the nuances of terminology and the stories behind the symbols we use every day.
The next time you type a full stop or period, remember the rich history and cultural heritage behind this ubiquitous punctuation mark.
What is the origin of the word “period” for the punctuation mark?
The origin of the word “period” for the punctuation mark dates back to ancient Greece. In Greek, the word “periodos” means “circuit” or “ring.” The Greek philosopher Aristarchus of Samos used this term to describe the punctuation mark that separated complete thoughts or sentences.
The term “period” was later adopted into Latin as “punctum periodi,” which referred to a mark that indicated the end of a sentence or a complete thought. Over time, the term “period” became the standard term in English to refer to the punctuation mark, even though it wasn’t until the 16th century that it became widely used as a punctuation mark in its own right.
Why is the term “period” used to refer to a punctuation mark and a menstrual cycle?
The dual use of the term “period” to refer to a punctuation mark and a menstrual cycle is largely a coincidence. The use of “period” to refer to a punctuation mark, as mentioned earlier, dates back to ancient Greece. The use of “period” to refer to a menstrual cycle, on the other hand, is a more recent development.
In the 19th century, the term “period” began to be used to refer to the regular interval of menstruation. This usage is thought to have originated from the idea that menstruation occurs at regular intervals or “periods.” Despite the different origins of the two uses of the term, they have both become widely accepted in modern English.
Is the full stop used in all languages?
The full stop, also known as a period, is not used in all languages. While it is a fundamental punctuation mark in English and many other languages, some languages use different punctuation marks or no punctuation marks at all to separate sentences.
For example, in some Asian languages such as Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, sentences are often separated by a punctuation mark called an “ideographic full stop” or “Chinese full stop.” This mark is different from the full stop used in English and other languages. In other languages, such as Arabic and Hebrew, sentences are often separated by a variety of punctuation marks, including the full stop.
How has the use of the full stop evolved over time?
The use of the full stop has evolved significantly over time. In ancient Greece and Rome, the full stop was not used as a punctuation mark in the way it is today. Instead, writers used a variety of symbols and marks to indicate pauses and separating thoughts.
It wasn’t until the Middle Ages that the full stop began to be used more widely as a punctuation mark. During this time, scribes used the full stop to separate sentences and indicate pauses in texts. The modern use of the full stop as we know it today, with its standard shape and placement, developed over the course of the 16th to 18th centuries with the advent of printing.
What are some alternative names for the full stop?
The full stop is also known by several alternative names, including the period, point, and stop. In American English, the term “period” is commonly used, while in British English, the term “full stop” is more commonly used.
In other languages, the full stop may be referred to by different names. For example, in French, the full stop is called a “point,” while in German, it is called a “Punkt.” Despite these variations, the function of the full stop remains the same across languages: to separate sentences and indicate pauses.
How is the full stop used in digital communication?
The full stop is used in digital communication in a variety of ways. In texting, social media, and online writing, the full stop is often used to separate sentences and indicate pauses, just as it is in traditional writing.
However, the full stop is also used in digital communication to convey tone and emotion. For example, multiple full stops (…) can be used to indicate trailing off or hesitation, while a solitary full stop (.) can be used to indicate finality or emphasis.
What is the cultural significance of the full stop?
The full stop has significant cultural importance as a symbol of finality and completion. It is often used to indicate the end of a thought, idea, or sentence, and to separate one idea from another.
In addition, the full stop has been used as a symbol in art and literature to convey meaning and emotion. For example, in James Joyce’s novel “Ulysses,” the full stop is used to separate stream-of-consciousness passages and to create a sense of flow and continuity. The full stop has also been used in poetry and other forms of writing to create dramatic effect and to convey emotion.