ATLAS OF LANGUAGE

AT-NAV-G03-035 · ATLAS 259

Colon

A colon is a rhythmic and syntactic unit in the composition of a rhetorical period.

Part of the subject path Poetics, Narrative and Representation

Why is this entry in the Atlas?

G · Foundational concept R2 · Necessary foundation

Colon is needed to distinguish rhythmic-syntactic units of rhetorical periods from individual words. Its rhetorical sense must be labelled against the punctuation mark and other homonymous technical terms.

Colours and admission grounds

The rectangular label identifies the entry function: F – linguistic figure or procedure; A – analytical concept; G – foundational concept; E – selected concrete case. The rounded badge indicates the admission ground: R1 – distinctive contribution; R2 – necessary foundation; R3 – justified illustrative case. This editorial rationale explains the current selection rather than claiming an undocumented original selection history.

Explanation

A colon in rhetoric is a constituent segment of discourse, particularly within a period. Its identification may consider syntactic structure, its contribution to meaning and rhythmic organisation. A colon need not be complete on its own; in some rhetorical accounts, another colon supplies the required continuation. It need not coincide with an orthographic sentence, and modern punctuation alone does not determine its boundary. Distinctions between cola, smaller segments and complete periods vary across rhetorical traditions. This entry introduces that segmentation function while leaving historical refinements for explicit comparison. English colon is used here in its rhetorical sense, not for the punctuation mark or the anatomical term.

Movement of thought

1. Read a passage in context. 2. Mark possible semantic and rhythmic segments. 3. Examine their syntax. 4. Describe their relation to the whole period. 5. State the rhetorical convention used.

Scientific use case

Historical analysis can compare proposed segmentation with delivery, syntax and the definitions used by the relevant tradition.

Example

“When the wind drops, when the rain ends, we shall leave” can be examined as a sequence of segments without treating each as a separate sentence.

Counterexample

A printed colon does not establish the beginning or end of a rhetorical colon.

Distinction

Distinguish the rhetorical colon from punctuation, the orthographic sentence and the anatomical term.

Effect on thought and perception

The term opens an intermediate level between individual words and an extended movement of speech.

Resonance

Discourse takes shape through segments that both sustain and carry it onwards.

Provenance

Parallel source review reconciled 2026-10-07; human specialist review not claimed.

Cite this entry

Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Colon“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-NAV-G03-035. ATLAS 259, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G03-035

https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G03-035

The address remains stable; editorial content may evolve. Editorial reading state: 2026-10-15. Include your access date for precise references.