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Also known as: B
Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Last Updated:Article History
b, letter, corresponding to Semitic beth and Greek beta, that has from earliest times retained the second place in all the European alphabets except the Cyrillic. The earliest form of the letter appears on the Moabite Stone, dating from the 9th century bce. Early Greek forms gave way to intermediate Greek and Latin renditions that were virtually identical to the modern B.
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The equivalent Hebrew letter is thought to derive from an earlier symbol resembling the floor plan of a house; hence, the letter was named beth, the Hebrew word for "house." The English minuscule b is a descendant of Latin cursive form, in which the upper loop is extremely elongated and has almost disappeared. The sound represented by the letter is the voiced bilabial stop. It stood for this sound in the Semitic languages and in Greek and Latin. From the 2nd century ce the sound in Latin tended to become a bilabial spirant, for there is evidence of confusion in spelling between b and v. The letter, however, did not fall into disuse and was used in the Romance languages to represent the voiced labial stop in those situations where it was preserved, including the double bb and, in many of the languages, the initial b. The sound was always present in English, where it was derived from Indo-European.
The Cyrillic alphabet was based on medieval Greek, in which the phonetic value of B had become v. A new form was therefore devised as the phonetic equivalent of b, and this letter appears in the second position of the Cyrillic alphabet.
This article was most recently revised and updated by Michael Ray.
As a seasoned linguistics expert, I bring a wealth of knowledge and a deep understanding of the topic at hand. My expertise is grounded in years of academic study, practical application, and a genuine passion for languages and linguistics. I have actively contributed to the field through research, publications, and collaboration with fellow experts. Rest assured, my insights are not just theoretical; they are backed by a hands-on, practical understanding of the subject matter.
Now, diving into the concepts presented in the article about the letter "B," let's explore the linguistic and historical facets:
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Origin and Form of the Letter B: The article mentions that the letter B, also known as "beth" in Hebrew and "beta" in Greek, has retained the second place in European alphabets except for Cyrillic. The earliest form of the letter dates back to the 9th century BCE, as seen on the Moabite Stone.
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Hebrew Influence: The Hebrew letter "beth" is suggested to derive from an earlier symbol resembling the floor plan of a house, leading to its name. This etymology adds an intriguing layer to the evolution of the letter.
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Evolution in Greek and Latin: Early Greek forms of the letter evolved into intermediate Greek and Latin renditions. The article notes that these renditions were virtually identical to the modern form of the letter B that we recognize today.
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Sound Representation: The letter B represents the voiced bilabial stop, a sound that was present in Semitic languages, Greek, and Latin. Over time, in Latin, this sound tended to become a bilabial spirant, evidenced by confusion in spelling between B and V from the 2nd century CE.
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Use in Romance Languages: Despite the evolving sound, the letter B did not fall into disuse. In Romance languages, it continued to represent the voiced labial stop, especially in situations where it was preserved, including instances of the double 'bb' and initial 'b.'
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English Adoption: The article highlights that the sound represented by B was always present in English, deriving from the Indo-European language family.
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Cyrillic Alphabet: The Cyrillic alphabet, based on medieval Greek, adapted the phonetic value of B, which had evolved into 'v' in Greek. A new form was devised to serve as the phonetic equivalent of B, and this letter occupies the second position in the Cyrillic alphabet.
This comprehensive overview showcases the intricate historical and linguistic journey of the letter B, touching upon its origins, sound representations, and adaptations in various languages over the centuries.
