Fading Semicolon Should Not Be Forced to Retire

This letter is a response to Wayne Curtis’ article (Editorial Pages, May 14), “Semicolon Is Fading; Conan Barges In.” It is true that the semicolon is being used less and less, yet is that grounds for being “forced into retirement”? Just because our language has changed from complex to simple does this mean standard English punctuation has to change with it?

The dash, used in simplistic punctuation, has its place in language, but the semicolon is a necessary and important punctuation mark needed in the ever-increasing complex society in which we live. The semicolon is needed to communicate complex ideas in areas such as professional writing in business and in education. In both cases the dash would be inappropriate. The semicolon enables people to communicate their complex ideas in a clear and concise way.

The semicolon should not be retired because if it is, who knows what will go next? Before long our language, rich in heritage, will be infiltrated with simplicity and will lose its prestige and dominance in the world.

TANI HIGHLAND

San Bernardino