The symbol, a double dot resembling the modern colon, is known as the "zagwa elaya," or "upper pair." Its function as a question mark was pinned down by Chip Coakley, a manuscript specialist at ...

And if he's right, then this may be the earliest known usage of a punctuation symbol representing a question mark. "When you are sitting round a table reading a Syriac text with students, ...

Holding down the period key will reveal more symbols, including a question mark and dollar sign, on the main keyboard. (On your computer keyboard, find out what those F1 – F12 keys really do ...