could anyone please kindly tell me the meaning of the sign that I'd highlighted.
please help.....

I am not too sure but i would guess that it means two dotted notes slurred together as the line means a slur and the dots beside the notes mean dotted notes...just a guess tho!

I would interpret that as semi-legato, but I am sure there are people who are more qualified that can give you the proper answer. I also recall seeing that in one of the AB Guides to Theory of Music ... have you checked that by any chance?

This is a mezzo staccato.

thx for your help!
but how to 'connect' both of them?
does it mean play the staccato notes smoothly?

Dots inside a slur mean that the notes should be slightly separated (semi-staccato), but less than notes with ordinary staccato dots.

QUOTE (Wai Kit Leung @ Nov 25 2003, 10:42 AM)

I would interpret that as semi-legato, but I am sure there are people who are more qualified that can give you the proper answer. I also recall seeing that in one of the AB Guides to Theory of Music ... have you checked that by any chance?

Yeah, I read the book 1, it does talked about it. Saying that their effect can be modified further when two or more staccato dots are linked by a slur. From the examples shown, the notes are to be hold longer (longer time value) than the normal staccato dots.

BRAVO! You all are right! I'm grateful to your for your help, THANKS!!!!
By the way, I feel so good as I'm not 'alone' in learning music anymore.

It is a moderately detached group of notes, they are not a short crisp staccato. There is no joining of the notes, they are slightly detached.