Omar Bennett
The section sign (§) is a typographical character used to reference individually numbered sections of a document, and it is frequently used when citing sections of a legal code. It is also known as the section symbol, section mark, double-s, or silcrow. The section sign is often used when referring to a specific section of a legal code. For example, Title 16 of the United States Code Section 580p becomes 16 U.S.C. § 580p when using the section sign. The section symbol can be created in WordPerfect documents by clicking on the Insert option on the drop-down menu and then selecting Symbol. Alternatively, the symbol can be created by opening the Character Map in the Windows Start menu and selecting the desired font before copying and pasting the symbol.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Section sign |
| Symbol | § |
| Other Names | Section symbol, section mark, double-s, silcrow |
| Usage | Referencing individually numbered sections of a document, especially legal documents |
| Origin | Ligature formed by the combination of two S glyphs (from the Latin signum sectiōnis) or an adaptation of the Ancient Greek παράγραφος (paragraphos) |
| Unicode | U+00A7 |
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What You'll Learn
- The § symbol is called the section sign, section symbol, section mark, double-s, or silcrow
- The symbol is used to reference individually numbered sections of a document
- It is frequently used when citing sections of a legal code
- The symbol is created by combining two S glyphs from the Latin signum sectiōnis
- The § symbol is used to mean bureaucracy in Jaroslav Hašek's The Good Soldier Švejk
The § symbol is called the section sign, section symbol, section mark, double-s, or silcrow
The § symbol, also known as the section symbol, section mark, double-s, or silcrow, is a typographical character used to reference individually numbered sections of a document. It is commonly used when citing sections of a legal code or specific paragraphs within a section. For example, "Title 15 of the United States Code Section 580p" can be written as "15 U.S.C. § 580p". The symbol is often used in conjunction with the pilcrow, or paragraph sign (¶), to indicate a specific paragraph within a section.
The § symbol is believed to have originated from the Latin "signum sectiōnis," formed by combining two S glyphs. However, some scholars dispute this theory. Another proposed origin is that it derives from the Ancient Greek "παράγραφος" (paragraphos), which referred to a class of punctuation marks with various shapes and purposes used by scribes. In some languages, the § symbol is referred to as the "paragraph symbol." For instance, in German, it is called "Paragrafzeichen."
The use of the § symbol is not limited to legal documents. In literature, Jaroslav Hašek's "The Good Soldier Švejk" employs the § symbol repeatedly to signify "bureaucracy." Paul Selver's English translation of the novel in 1930 rendered it as "red tape."
On computer keyboards, the § symbol can be found on the numeric keypad by pressing down the "Alt" key and typing "0167" on the number pad. Alternatively, for Windows users, pressing "Alt+21" will produce the § symbol. On a Mac, pressing "Option+6" will yield the same result.
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The symbol is used to reference individually numbered sections of a document
The section sign (§) is a typographical character used for referencing individually numbered sections of a document. It is often used when citing sections of a legal code. For example, in Bluebook style, "Title 16 of the United States Code Section 580p" can be written as "16 U.S.C. § 580p". The section sign is also used along with the pilcrow (or paragraph sign), ¶, to reference a specific paragraph within a section of a document.
The section sign is also known as the section symbol, section mark, double-s, or silcrow. Its shape is thought to derive from a combination of two S glyphs, which in Latin stands for signum sectionis (meaning 'section symbol'). In other languages, it may be called the "paragraph symbol" (e.g. German: "Paragrafzeichen").
In terms of usage, it is common practice to follow the section sign with a non-breaking space so that the symbol is kept with the section number being cited. This ensures that the mark and the reference do not end up on separate lines or pages, which can confuse readers.
To type the section symbol on a keyboard, press and hold the “Alt” key, then enter the numbers “0167.” On a Mac, press and hold the “Option” key and enter the number “6.”
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It is frequently used when citing sections of a legal code
The section sign (§) is a typographical character used for referencing individually numbered sections of a document. It is frequently used when citing sections of a legal code. The section sign is also known as the section symbol, section mark, double-s, or silcrow. In other languages, it may be referred to as the paragraph symbol. For example, in German, it is called Paragrafzeichen.
The section sign is often used when referring to a specific section of a legal code. For example, in Bluebook style, "Title 16 of the United States Code Section 580p" is written as "16 U.S.C. § 580p". The section sign is commonly used in conjunction with the pilcrow (or paragraph sign), ¶, to indicate a specific paragraph within a section of a document. While in spoken English, § is typically pronounced as the word "section", many other languages use the word paragraph specifically to refer to a section of a legal document.
The section sign is considered a symbol of the justice system in some contexts, similar to how the Rod of Asclepius represents medicine. For instance, Austrian courts use the symbol in their logo. The section sign has been utilised in various early computer text encodings, such as ISO-8859-1, where it was positioned at 0xA7 (167). This positioning was later adopted by Unicode as code point U+00A7 § SECTION SIGN.
The section sign has two possible origins. The first and more widely accepted theory is that it is a ligature formed by combining two S glyphs, derived from the Latin signum sectiōnis. However, some scholars doubt this explanation. Another theory suggests that it evolved from the Ancient Greek παράγραφος (paragraphos), which was a general term for a class of punctuation marks used by scribes with varied shapes and purposes. The modern form and usage of the section sign have been in place since the 15th century.
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The symbol is created by combining two S glyphs from the Latin signum sectiōnis
The US Constitution's distinctive "S" symbol, also known as the section sign (§), is a typographical character used to reference specific sections of a document, particularly in legal contexts. Its unique form is thought to have originated from the combination of two "S" glyphs from the Latin "signum sectiōnis", creating a ligature. This evolution from the Latin and Germanic alphabets resulted in the long "S", which was the original form of the letter in written English.
The long "S" was once prevalent in English print, but by the early 19th century, it had largely been replaced by the more familiar round "S". This transition was driven by the advent of print, which standardised spelling and reduced regional variations. Ultimately, the simplification of the printing process favoured the round "S", as it required only one die cast compared to the two needed for the long "S".
Despite this shift, the long "S" persisted in specific contexts, such as the integral symbol in calculus and the symbol for a shilling. Notably, the long "S" survived in the section sign, which is commonly used in legal documents to indicate individually numbered sections. For example, "Title 16 of the United States Code Section 580p" is abbreviated as "16 U.S.C. § 580p" using the section sign.
The section sign is also known as the "double-s" or "silcrow," reflecting its dual "S" origin. In other languages, it may be referred to as the "paragraph symbol," as it is used to denote paragraphs within sections of a document, particularly in legal texts. The symbol's association with the justice system extends beyond its mere usage, as it has become a symbol of the justice system itself, akin to how the Rod of Asclepius represents medicine.
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The § symbol is used to mean bureaucracy in Jaroslav Hašek's The Good Soldier Švejk
The § symbol, also known as the section sign, is commonly used to reference individually numbered sections of a document, particularly in legal contexts. Interestingly, in Jaroslav Hašek's The Good Soldier Švejk, the § symbol takes on a unique significance. In this work, the § symbol is employed repeatedly as a representation of "bureaucracy".
In the 1930 English translation by Paul Selver, this symbol is translated as "red tape", capturing the idea of bureaucratic processes and their associated complexities. This usage aligns with the symbol's broader association with sections and paragraphs in legal documents, often denoting specific sections of legal codes or statutes.
The choice of the § symbol in The Good Soldier Švejk as a representation of bureaucracy may reflect the intricate and sometimes convoluted nature of bureaucratic systems. It suggests a sense of organization, structure, and perhaps even a degree of rigidity or inflexibility that is often associated with bureaucratic processes.
The symbol's usage in this context adds a layer of nuance to the narrative, conveying a subtle commentary on the intricacies of bureaucratic functioning within the story's context. It invites readers to consider the role and impact of bureaucracy on the characters and their experiences, potentially adding complexity and depth to their interpretation of the narrative.
While the § symbol is primarily known for its utilitarian role in legal and academic writing, its creative utilization in literature demonstrates its capacity to convey additional layers of meaning. In The Good Soldier Švejk, the symbol becomes a subtle yet powerful tool, enriching the narrative and providing a unique perspective on the interplay between characters and bureaucratic systems.
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Frequently asked questions
The SS symbol, also known as the section symbol, section mark, double-s, or silcrow, is used to reference individually numbered sections of a document. It is commonly used when citing sections of a legal code.
To create the SS symbol (§) in WordPerfect documents, place your cursor where you want the symbol to be displayed. Then, click on the Insert option in the drop-down menu, and select Symbol.
Yes, another way to create the SS symbol is by clicking on the Microsoft Windows Start button. Then, click on Programs, followed by Accessories, then System Tools, and finally Character Map. Once you've chosen one of the acceptable fonts, find the SS symbol, double-click it, and hit Copy.
