Did any of you see today’s article in the 2nd section of The Guardian cleverly called “The End of the Line”? An argument seems to have erupted about the the semicolon — not only how to use it, which is difficult enough, but its continued existence, which is astonishing. It’s astonishing to me because I’m always shocked and amazed when confronted with the fact that there are enough people out there who actually share some of my most obscure concerns. When everyone seems to be worrying about Barack or Hillary, or who will win the next season of The Apprentice, it makes my heart sing to know that the world is so big that there are enough of us to actually create such a debate.
The article claims that, in these days of “short, punchy,uncomplicated sentences, it is widely rumoured, the rare subtlety and infinite elegance of a good semicolon are surplus to requirements”. “Surplus to requirements”? Never! And even more, it quotes the French satirist Francois Cavanna as claiming that the point-virgule is “a parasite, a timid, fainthearted, insipid thing, denoting merely uncertainty, a lack of audacity, a fuzziness of
thought”. This gets better and better. This debate not only allows us to argue the merits of punctuation, but even to pursue what is truthfully our most favourite pastime of all — moaning about the French!
Various heavyweight authors were asked their opinion:
FOR AGAINST UNDECIDED
Beryl Bainbridge Kurt Vonnegut Diana Athill
Jeanette Winterson George Orwell Zoe Heller
Will Self Gertrude Stein Irvine Welsh
Of course, I must contribute to the debate. Unsurprisingly to some of you, I am FOR. I love the humble little semicolon even though I don’t use it very often; maybe because I don’t use it very often. But I know I have it in my bag of tricks, like that expensive pair of running shoes which I know will grip me to the ground on a steep run, or that tucked away jar of cardamon I can use to add some surprise zest.
Language is difficult. It has to be because human thought, at its best, is complicated. Sometimes we’re not completely sure of what we think and we need to stop, take a breath and allow our minds to find that seemingly unrelated thought that actually clarifies it all. Only a semicolon can do that for us. It forces us to slow down. It reminds us to breathe. And because it is so sparingly used, its point is sharper, its curve more sensuous.
Any thoughts? Go on. Open up. Let yourself care.
PS By the way, last night’s performance of Dreams of May at The Poetry Cafe was triumphant. I’m still smiling from it.
Congratulations on your success. Am so glad I read the ps.
Thanks, Merc! It really was great fun.
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thanks for posting this, Sue – I read it this morning and it’s been on my mind a lot today . I Love the semi-colon; it’s my favourite punctuation mark. I’ve always thought about it as two thoughts findign an affinity; it was expressed better this morning by whoever said it was like climbing to the top of a hill, and pausing for a moment to rest. When playing Shakespeare or speaking verse, there is a distinct difference between the breath of the comma and the breath of the semicolon;the choice alters the emphasis of the phrase
And as a member of the audience who is neither the publisher’s mther nor a relative of the author, may I say: Yes! Last night was a triumph!
No! No! No! I love the semi-colon!
I couldn’t write without it!
Hey how do you know Merc?? Hello Merc… good to see the book is doing fantastically!
And I popped in to see how yesterday evening went… hope it was a respounding success, Sue. Im SO sorry not to be there.
Would love to meet up some time?
Counting the days to the book!
Vxxxx
Hmmm….just cause it’s not used often doesn’t mean it doesn’t have it’s uses!!!
I’m all for keeping it!!
C x
Hello Sue,
I’ve heard so much about you from Vanessa, I thought I would pop into your blog. I am a huge fan of the semicolon – although on my MA course a few years ago someone did submit a story in which it was the ONLY punctuation and came every few words. These days, I do find myself, when writing a story, thinking about whether my character would use a semicolon themselves, and what that says if I put one in. It seems, somehow, to be a highbrow punctuation mark! I hope it doesn’t go anywhere. I love the description from Kate about pausing at the top of a hill. Lovely.
Tania
Hi all, and hi to Tania. Thanks for coming to find me! You know,there are so many controversies in this world — a huge demonstration against China in London today — but nonetheless, I love that we can still have a discussion about semicolons! It seems at least we here are all for it.
Me again — Tania, just checked out your website, The Short Review. A great idea and a great site. I’m going to link it so others know about it. Thanks!
Thanks so much, Sue! Sign up for the email list, so you can find out when we post new issues each month.
Tania
Hello, Sue. I’m very much for them too. Unfortunately – and increasingly – the comma splice seems to be its evolution. Awful things! Fuzziness of thought is the best thing about semi-colons – the unsureness and how when you use one you just kind of *know* it looks right.
I use it quite a little too much, I think.