????? inverted question marks

Question

why before any question in spanish there is a question mark writen upside down?

Answer 1

Ostensibly is to let the reader know that a question is coming up, but other languages manage quite well without it. One of those quirks in a language, I suppose. Much like writing a capital for nouns in German. No real difficulty really.

Answer 2

If you are using Microsoft Word, you can go to insert, then symbols. You will find the upside down question mark there.

¿¿¿¿¿¿ Hold down the Alt key. With the number lock on, type in the number 168 on your number pad to the right hand side of the keyboard. Release the alt key. Using the numbers at the top of the keyboard will not work you must use the number pad usually located at the right of the keyboard

Answer 3

It's just a thing that goes with Spanish. It may be to let you know a question is coming, or maybe that's just the way they do it! ( It's the same way with exclamation points too.)

See:

¿Por qué los elefantes son tan grandes? (Why are elephants so big?)

Don't worry about it, just remember to do it. I don't know that there's any real reason for it

Answer 4

You just do it.