Definition of the word speech marks

The term "speech marks" is an alternative name for quotation marks, which are punctuation marks used to indicate the exact words spoken by a person or written in a text. In English, the two most commonly used styles of quotation marks are calledspeech marks due to their initial use to indicate spoken words in dialogues. The precise origin of the term "speech marks" is unclear, but it is believed to have derived from the fact that these marks signify the exact words spoken by a character in a dialogue, thereby distinguishing them from the writer's own narration. The term has gained popularity in recent times due to its clarity and simplicity, as opposed to alternative terms like "quote marks" and "guillemets." However, some people still prefer other terms based on regional or linguistic variations in English-speaking countries. Regardless, the use and form of quotation marks vary widely across different languages and writing styles, reflecting the unique cultural and linguistic heritage of each community.