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The Etymology of the Word “Book” Period Word itself Transcription Meaning Translation Picture Proto-Germanic bokiz [ˈbokiz] The word bokiz is connected with the tree name – beech tree. Бук Latin librum [Li:brum] The Latin word “librum” is connected with the inner bark. Внутренняя кора деревьев French livre [livrə] The French “word” livre came from the Latin word “librum” and its meaning was also the inner bark. Внутренняя кора деревьев Old-English boc [Bœc] In the Old-English period the meaning was a written document or a book. Книга, письменный документ Mid-English (XI–XV) bok [bok] In the Middle-English Period the word “bok” kept its meaning from the Old-English Period but narrower meaning appeared Книга, письменный документ; письменное произведение, состоящее из множества страниц, скреплённых и переплётенных между собой
XIX Book [buk] Magazine Журнал XX Book [buk] Telephone directory Телефонный справочник Modern English Book [buk] set of pages that have been fastened together inside a cover to be read or written in Книга Interesting facts: The link to the beech tree stems from the ancient Germanic practice of using beechwood tablets for writing. Ruins or other symbols were carved into the them. So the tree name signified the writing itself. The noun “book” gave rise to the verb “to book” (meaning to record or register) around 1200. This meaning reflects the fact that the earliest English books were records of land grants. Thus, the English word for "book" is directly linked to the material used for writing in ancient times – beech wood.
Books in Culture The Yellow Books (1887) – Vincent van Gogh. Van Gogh depicted a stack of contemporary French novels with their distinctive bright-yellow covers. For the artist they were a symbol of modern life and new art. Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray. The French novel in a yellow paper binding, gifted to Dorian by Lord Henry, becomes his constant companion. It is described as a physical accompaniment to his corrupt life – a book he orders in various expensive bindings to match his ever-changing moods. Vladimir Vysotsky – The Ballad of Books (or “The ballad of the bookish children”, “The ballad about the struggle”) In this song, books appear as tangible objects from the wartime and post-war childhood. Vysotsky describes their physical presence: books were “devoured” while “choking on the secrets”; they “pressed themselves into basements”; they were read by candlelight; their covers and pages smelled of adventure and smoke. Here, the book is a physical refuge for children escaping the harsh reality. The NeverEnding Story (1984). Shy boy Bastian steals an ancient tome from a secondhand bookstore. When he starts reading the book, an entire magical world unfolds before him. Here, the book is not just an object – it’s a portal to another reality. Spanish artist Alicia Martín gives books a second life, transforming them into entirely new works of art. One of the themes of her project is that the installations can be seen as a kind of monument to the fading era of paper books, which are gradually being replaced by electronic media.
Quiz: The History and Evolution of the Word “Book” 1. What is the Proto-Germanic root for “book,” and what tree is it connected with? A) bokiz; oak tree B) bokiz; beech tree C) librum; birch tree 2. The Latin word librum is linked to: A) the outer bark of a tree B) the wood of a tree C) the inner bark of a tree 3. Where did the French word livre come from? A) directly from Proto-Germanic bokiz B) from the Latin librum C) from Old English boc 4. In Old English, the word boc meant: A) only a religious text B) a written document or a book C) a carved wooden tablet 5. During the Middle English period (XI–XV), the word bok kept its earlier meaning but also gained a narrower sense. What was that narrower meaning? A) a book as a set of pages bound together B) only a legal contract C) only a handwritten letter 6. Which of these meanings appeared for the word “book” in the 19th century? A) telephone directory B) magazine C) scroll 7. Which of these meanings became associated with “book” in the 20th century? A) magazine B) telephone directory C) digital file 8. According to the modern English definition provided, a book is: A) any text printed on paper B) a set of pages fastened together inside a cover to be read or written in C) any written work, whether bound or not 9. The connection between “book” and tree bark shows that: A) early writing materials were linked to trees (e.g., bark, wood) B) all books were originally made from bark C) books were stored in tree trunks 10. Based on the etymology, which language family does the English word “book” ultimately trace back to for its core form? A) Romance languages B) Slavic languages C) Germanic languages https://forms.yandex.ru/cloud/6ab1278902848fb051642e33
Quiz: “The Book as a Symbol” 1. In Van Gogh’s The Yellow Books (1887), what did the bright yellow books symbolize for the artist? A) Childhood memories and nostalgia B) Modern life and new art C) Poverty and hardship 2. In The Picture of Dorian Gray, who gives Dorian the French novel in a yellow paper binding? A) Basil Hallward B) Himself, as a gift to mark a milestone C) Lord Henry 3. Why does Dorian order the same French novel in various expensive bindings? A) To give them as gifts to his friends B) To match his ever-changing moods C) To hide the book’s controversial content 4. In Vladimir Vysotsky’s “The Ballad of Books,” how do the children experience the books? A) As a boring school requirement B) As a physical refuge from harsh reality C) As a way to learn foreign languages 5. Which detail from Vysotsky’s ballad shows that the books had a strong physical presence for the children? A) They were printed on glossy paper B) They “pressed themselves into basements” and were read by candlelight C) They had colorful illustrations on every page 6. In The NeverEnding Story (1984), what role does the ancient tome play for Bastian? A) It’s a family heirloom he wants to sell B) It’s a portal to another reality C) It’s a school assignment he’s trying to finish 7. Where does Bastian get the book in The NeverEnding Story? A) He finds it in the forest B) He receives it as a birthday gift C) He steals it from a secondhand bookstore 8. How does Spanish artist Alicia Martín give books a “second life”? A) By digitizing their texts B) By turning them into new art installations C) By donating them to schools and libraries 9. What broader idea do Alicia Martín’s installations represent when seen as a kind of monument? A) That paper books are always better than e-books B) That the era of paper books is fading as electronic media become more common C) That every book should be preserved forever in a museum 10. Which work emphasizes the book’s physical qualities—its smell, cover, pages, and how it’s held or stored—as a major part of its meaning? A) The Picture of Dorian Gray B) Vysotsky’s “The Ballad of Books” C) The NeverEnding Story https://forms.yandex.ru/cloud/6ab130f184227c95e3dbd772
Book quotations