The Grammar Doctor

Q. I was asked how the dot in the "i" came to be. Having no idea whatsoever, I responded by saying that it must have been placed there to balance the dot over the "j". The answer was insufficient and, I guess, wrong. Any ideas as to the answer of how the dot came to be and its meaning?

A. The dots over the "i" and the "j" were added in the late Middle Ages so that they wouldn't be confused with lower case "l." (L).


Back to The Grammar Doctor Answers Your Question