Features of the functioning of peripheral punctuation marks in the epistolary texts by semiliterate authors

The research aims to identify the established norm of using peripheral punctuation marks in epistolary texts and to evaluate the functioning of peripheral punctuation in the letters by semiliterate authors relative to this norm. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the first-ever examination of the functions of peripheral punctuation marks in the context of the private official letters written by semiliterate authors. Additionally, the notion of a fixed function was introduced for the first time as a tool necessary for investigating whether peripheral punctuation marks are used in accordance with the norm established within a specific textual genre. The research findings showed that the use of peripheral punctuation in the letters by semiliterate authors may deviate from the generally accepted punctuation norm in the epistolary genre. It was found that norm violations primarily occur in the use of spatial-graphic signs, such as paragraph breaks, text column changes, increased line spacing and spacing between words. As a result of the study on the functioning of peripheral marks in the letters by semiliterate individuals, the following features of peripheral punctuation were also identified: the interchangeability and universalization of punctuation marks, as well as the standardization of their functions.