Kirjainmerkkejä

Kirjainmerkkejä, often translated as "letter marks" or "typographical symbols," refers to a category of characters used in writing that are not full letters of an alphabet but serve specific functions. These can include punctuation marks, diacritics, and other symbols that modify or accompany letters. For instance, umlauts (ä, ö, ü) and accents (á, é, í) are considered kirjainmerkkejä as they alter the pronunciation or meaning of a base letter.

Punctuation such as periods (.), commas (,), question marks (?), and exclamation points (!) are also key examples of kirjainmerkkejä. They help structure sentences, indicate pauses, and convey tone. Other symbols like apostrophes (') and hyphens (-) also fall under this umbrella, serving grammatical or phonetic purposes. While not letters themselves, these marks are essential for clear and accurate written communication, allowing for nuance and precision that would be impossible with letters alone. Their presence and correct usage are fundamental to understanding written language across many cultures and writing systems.