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Home / Studia Celtica, Volume 52, Number 1

Patterns of Welsh punctuation from manuscript to print, 1346–1620. A pilot-study of the Annunciation narrative

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Author: Poppe, Erich

Source: Studia Celtica, Volume 52, Number 1, December 2018, pp. 123-136(14)

Publisher: University of Wales Press

DOI: https://doi.org/10.16922/SC.52.7

The paper presents an analysis of patterns of punctuation in four manuscript versions of the Annunciation narrative (Luke 1:26–38) dating to the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries and in four printed translations of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, looking at the repertoire of the forms of punctuation available and at their employment. There is no continuation between the period of manuscript and print. The density of punctuation varies considerably in the manuscripts, and the print versions generally employ more punctuation than the manuscripts. A trend in the print versions can be observed for a consolidation of the inventory of punctuation symbols. In the period under discussion, some fuzziness and variation remain with regard to their use, particularly of the colon and of the formats for the marking of direct speech. This small-scale test case is intended to indicate the potential of researching patterns of (ir)regularities underlying the distribution of punctuation marks.

Document Type: Research Article

Publication date: 01 December 2018

More about this publication?

  • As a leading journal in the field of Celtic Studies and published annually by the University of Wales Press, Studia Celtica represents the highest quality research within language, literature, history and archaeology. It is an internationally refereed journal that includes articles, short notes and book reviews. Contributions are received from Celtic experts around the world – from the USA, Australia, Scotland, Ireland and France. The lead editor, Professor Dafydd Johnston, is Director of the University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies.

    Mae Studia Celtica, a gyhoeddir yn flynyddol gan Wasg Prifysgol Cymru, yn gylchgrawn awdurdodol ym maes Astudiaethau Celtaidd. Cynrychiola ymchwil o'r radd flaenaf ym meysydd iaith, llenyddiaeth, hanes ac archaeoleg. Mae'n gyfnodolyn rhyngwladol sy'n cynnwys erthyglau, nodiadau byr ac adolygiadau. Derbynnir cyfraniadau wrth arbenigwyr Celtaidd ledled y byd – o Unol Daleithiau'r America, Awstralia, Yr Alban, Iwerddon a Ffrainc. Y prif olygydd, Yr Athro Dafydd Johnston, yw Cyfarwyddwr Canolfan Uwchefrydiau Cymreig a Cheltaidd Prifysgol Cymru.

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