Björk

Björk Guðmundsdóttir {{IPA2|'pj?r?k 'kv?ðm?nstoʊhtɪr}}, (born November 21, 1965 in Reykjavík, Iceland) is an Icelandic singer/songwriter with a great expressive range and an interest in many kinds of music including popular, trip-hop, alternative rock, jazz, electronica, folk, and classical music.

Her Name

Björk usually goes by her first name only. This is not a stage name or affectation; it is normal for an Icelander to be referred to by his or her first name, as the last name simply indicates the name of the father. See Icelandic naming conventions.

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Björk means "a birch tree" in Icelandic (the meaning of Icelandic names is often transparent), cognate with Old English beorc and the modern English word. Though many English-speakers pronounce her name "Byork", a more accurate approximation would be "Byerk", which she has pointed out rhymes with "jerk". http://ebweb.at/ortner/tia/97/babe9706/babe9706.html Guðmundsdóttir is pronounced roughly "Gvuth-muns-doe-tir", and means "Guðmundur's daughter".

Related Topics:
Birch - Icelandic - Old English

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