Linear and two-dimensional supragraphemic units in Russian scientific prose

The paper presents the current study of typographic resources as an essential part ofpunctuation of Russian scientific texts, whose wide usage and linguistic relevance in written communication cannot be neglected. Thestatus of linear and two-dimensional supragraphemic units such as variation in printing, type-size, capitalization and spacing in modernprinted texts is discussed. It is assumed that supragraphemics, consistent with ordinary punctuation marks, produce a certain effect on ascientific reader making the process of text interpretation easier, and its functioning differs from the punctuation of other styles. Differentaspects of typographic resources usage can be discovered determining the set of functions of supragraphemics in scientific texts,considering the list of requirements and real punctuation practice both in printed and pre-printed versions. Linear and two-dimensionalsupragraphemics are used in modern scientific prose in accordance with their conventional semantics and perform separating and emphasizingfunctions. Capitalization and spacing are used to separate units and sections of a scientific text. Setting off headings, subheadings,and document entries using variation of fonts, size-type and two-dimensional changes reveals hierarchy of text structure, which isobligatory at a certain edition. The essential parts and units in the continuous text of a scientific narrative are emphasized using italics,bold, underlining and type-size. All typographic punctuation means can be used singly or in combination. Focusing on words and wordgroups essential to the text contents is optional but consistent within a certain scientific journal edition. A wide range of functions ofsupragraphemic resources in modern scientific texts is specified by a great variety of standards offered by different publishing houses.Study of supragraphemic conventions in operation in pre-printed scientific texts reveals a consistent system for signalling emphasis;however, some linear supragraphemic resources such as capitalization, italics and underlining can also be used for giving additionalemphasis to the words that seem important to the author but not essential enough to the scientific text structure itself. Two-dimensionalsupragraphemics conform to general typographic standards, and the combination of units is used sparingly. Studying supragraphemicsas a part of punctuation allows completing a complex multi-level structure of punctuation phenomenon, estimate its linguistic value inscientific written communication, which can contribute to further development of common standards for the use of supragraphemics.

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