It's an unfriendly sign of aggression. Full stop.
At least that's what Generation Z thinks of the punctuation mark, according to an ongoing debate on Twitter. People born between the mid-to-late 1990s, a generation that grew up with smartphones, the internet and social media, find the full stop intimidating when used in written messages, linguists say.
The conversation appears to have been ignited by a since-deleted tweet from The Guardian columnist Rhiannon Cosslett on August 14, who wrote: "Older people – do you realise that ending a sentence with a full stop comes across as sort of abrupt and unfriendly to younger people in an email/chat? Genuinely curious."
Coco Chanel once said 'before leaving the house, a lady should look in the mirror and remove one accessory'. The 2020 version is that before pressing send, a person should read their email and only leave one !
Linguistic experts took to social media to share their thoughts, including Dr Lauren Fonteyn from Holland's Leiden University, who tweeted: "If you send a text message without a full stop, it's already obvious that you've concluded the message. So if you add that additional marker for completion, they will read something into it and it tends to be a falling intonation or negative tone.”
Owen McArdle, a linguist at the University of Cambridge, also told The Telegraph: "Full stops are, in my experience, very much the exception and not the norm in [young people's] instant messages, and have a new role in signifying an abrupt or angry tone of voice."
The conversation has also given rise to headlines, such as this one courtesy of The Sun: "Snowflakes 'think full stops are aggressive and unfriendly'."
This is not the first time that linguists have explored the perception of the full stop in modern-day correspondence, with a 2015 study by New York's Binghamton University finding that the punctuation was perceived as "insincere". "When speaking, people easily convey social and emotional information with eye gaze, facial expressions, tone of voice, pauses and so on," research leader Celia Klin said at the time.
"People obviously can't use these mechanisms when they are texting. Thus, it makes sense that texters rely on what they have available to them – emoticons, deliberate misspellings that mimic speech sounds and, according to our data, punctuation."
There is something of an abrupt finality to a full stop when applied in a text message or social media comment, that can signify a lack of warmth, depending on one's relationship with the sender. Signing off "Thanks.", as opposed to "Thanks!", might make many give pause, however fleeting, to the level of gratitude actually conveyed.
But the full stop is not the only punctuation mark that can be perceived in a multitude of different ways, regardless of intentions.
Here are other punctuational subtexts
!
Used liberally by people who like to inject humour – successfully or otherwise – in written correspondence but want to make it clear their remarks are made in jest. This can be particularly useful when it comes to employing sarcasm, to ensure the recipient reads the comment with droll intention rather than at face value, though it does tend to make the writer sound more like an excitable Labrador than the next Larry David.
The exclamation mark is also often used by people in senior or management positions who want to be liked. Case in point: "Hi team, let's all get together at 1pm today – just to discuss targets!"
Coco Chanel once said "before leaving the house, a lady should look in the mirror and remove one accessory". The 2020 version is that before pressing send, a person should read their email and only leave one !, if it's being sent in a professional capacity.
!!!
While a single exclamation mark is used to indicate lightheartedness, the double or triple use of one is quite the opposite.
This can be often be used by managers who have no intention of being liked, and will replace their in-person screaming with multiple exclamation points if forced to make a reprimand over email or text.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A string of exclamation marks that tips the four or more scale is typically reserved for the kind of person who either sends memes to the entire office, or the kind that isn't good at sharing.
Can often be seen on passive-aggressive Post-Its left on shared fridges.
...
The ellipsis is typically used in one of two ways. It can either be employed as an alternative indication of sarcasm, almost like a grammatical eye roll, or it can used in an act of passive aggression.
To wit: "Hi Charlie, did you notice the typo in that report you filed, or ... "
There is also a third use, more commonly seen on social media, which best illustrates a person with limited grasp of punctuation, whereby ... is used to mark where anything from a full stop to a comma should actually be, resulting in a breathy stream of consciousness.
;
An underused piece of punctuation when it comes to texts, tweets and emails. While the semi-colon doesn't denote much emotion, there is the subtext that the author is drawing attention to their educated use of one, intentionally or otherwise, perhaps invoking a sense of inferiority in the reader. When used incorrectly, the opposite is true.
,
Most of us use commas in all written communication (not necessarily correctly, but hey ho). When used sparingly, they impart little to no feeling, merely indicating where a breath might occur. When used liberally, however grammatically correct, they can feel loaded.
"It was noticed, Hannah, that you left the office at 4pm, however, your contract stipulates you should be at work until 4.15pm, unless otherwise agreed."
There's a formality to the use of a comma that can, when used by a certain type of person, feel like a telling off or a flagrant display of a sense of superiority, regardless of the topic.
{ }
The curly brackets, also known as braces, traditionally signify a portion of text that should be taken as a group, especially when another type of bracket – () or [] – is used. The curly brackets are most prevalent in poetry.
However, when seen in a text or tweet, these usually signify the writer has butterfingers, and has hit the wrong button on their keyboard.
PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Recent winners
2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)
2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)
2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)
2007 Grace Bijjani (Mexico)
2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)
2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)
2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)
2011 Maria Farah (Canada)
2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)
2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)
2014 Lia Saad (UAE)
2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)
2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)
2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)
2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Read more about the coronavirus
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The Byblos iftar in numbers
29 or 30 days – the number of iftar services held during the holy month
50 staff members required to prepare an iftar
200 to 350 the number of people served iftar nightly
160 litres of the traditional Ramadan drink, jalab, is served in total
500 litres of soup is served during the holy month
200 kilograms of meat is used for various dishes
350 kilograms of onion is used in dishes
5 minutes – the average time that staff have to eat
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
CONFIRMED%20LINE-UP
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, Group B
Barcelona v Inter Milan
Camp Nou, Barcelona
Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
MATCH INFO
Maratha Arabians 107-8 (10 ovs)
Lyth 21, Lynn 20, McClenaghan 20 no
Qalandars 60-4 (10 ovs)
Malan 32 no, McClenaghan 2-9
Maratha Arabians win by 47 runs
Timeline
1947
Ferrari’s road-car company is formed and its first badged car, the 125 S, rolls off the assembly line
1962
250 GTO is unveiled
1969
Fiat becomes a Ferrari shareholder, acquiring 50 per cent of the company
1972
The Fiorano circuit, Ferrari’s racetrack for development and testing, opens
1976
First automatic Ferrari, the 400 Automatic, is made
1987
F40 launched
1988
Enzo Ferrari dies; Fiat expands its stake in the company to 90 per cent
2002
The Enzo model is announced
2010
Ferrari World opens in Abu Dhabi
2011
First four-wheel drive Ferrari, the FF, is unveiled
2013
LaFerrari, the first Ferrari hybrid, arrives
2014
Fiat Chrysler announces the split of Ferrari from the parent company
2015
Ferrari launches on Wall Street
2017
812 Superfast unveiled; Ferrari celebrates its 70th anniversary
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
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The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
The low down on MPS
What is myofascial pain syndrome?
Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).
What are trigger points?
Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and sustained posture are the main culprits in developing trigger points.
What is myofascial or trigger-point release?
Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.
Company%20profile
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'THE WORST THING YOU CAN EAT'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
Empty Words
By Mario Levrero
(Coffee House Press)
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
