Zur Entwicklung der Interpunktion in der Luther-Bibel

Abstract

This study examines the development of punctuation in the Luther Bible in the period between 1522 and 2017 based on a passage from the Gospel of Matthew in 82 editions. The analysis is quantitative, qualitative, and at the same time hermeneutical: by repeatedly recalling the original printings, the aim is to capture all the relevant factors for historical punctuation. Among other things, aspects of the general text structure and line breaks are taken into account. From a syntactic point of view, various special cases are discussed, such as punctuation in non-sentential prepositional groups and in infinitives to block misinterpretation, but also the lack of punctuation in ›incorporated‹ main clauses. Furthermore, it is shown how the modern syntax-based punctuation since the middle of the 19th century runs counter Luther’s listener-oriented sentence construction.