A good place to start is Pause and Effect: [great title] Punctuation in the West by M.B. Parkes.  Parkes traces the development of punctuation and provides lots of plates of manuscripts for illustrations of scribal practice.  He begins with the origins and traces the development through the Middle Ages at least.  I'm not sure how far into the present he goes.  I'm at home now and my copy is in my office at school.  If you want me to check anything, I'll be happy to do so when I get to the office.
 
Best,
Clint
 
Clinton Atchley, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of English
Director, Master of Liberal Arts Program
Box 7652
Henderson State University
Arkadelphia, AR  71999
Phone:  870.230.5276
Email:  [log in to unmask] 
URL:  http://www.hsu.edu/atchlec 

________________________________

From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar on behalf of Carol Morrison
Sent: Sat 10/6/2007 7:26 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: The Colon and the Semicolon


Dear grammarians, linguists, and other language experts:
I am working on a research project that involves tracing the historical use of the colon and semi-colon in literature and language from their earliest origins up to the present day usages of these marks in written language today (English). My paper will also discuss effective ways of teaching these punctuation marks in the composition classroom. I know that the Beowulf poet and Chaucer use the semicolon (I have to go back for a closer search for the colon), but I also realize that the poetic usage differs from prose usage. Would any of you happen to know of any good punctuation sources to look at (books about punctuation, etc.)? Thank you for your time!
Best,
Carol Morrison
 
 

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