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The word "charcoal" has a bit of a debated origin
It ظهر ( ظهر means "appeared" in Arabic) in Middle English around the 14th century as "charcole."
There are two main theories about its formation.
Old French influence
The "char" part might come from Old French "charbon" which also means charcoal.Germanic roots
It could be a combination of Middle English "charren" (meaning "to turn" or "change") and "cole" (meaning "coal"). This would literally translate to "turned coal," referencing the process of burning wood into charcoal.
While "coal" seems like the older term, there's evidence of people using charcoal well before mined coal became widespread. This is why the origin of the word "charcoal" is a bit fuzzy.
Charcoal in Different Languages
French: charbon de bois (literally "wood coal")
Spanish: carbón vegetal (literally "vegetable coal")
Italian: carbone vegetale (similar to Spanish)
German: Holzkohle (literally "wood coal")
Japanese: sumi (墨)
Korean: mok-tal (목탄)
Mandarin Chinese: mu tan (木炭) (similar to Korean)
Russian: derevnyy ugol (древесный уголь) (literally "woody coal")
Arabic: faḥm (فحم)
What did cavemen draw with?
Can the name of a writing tool tell you what it's made of?
Are modern writing tools better than the ones used in the past?
The Mark We Leave
How Writing Tools Tell the Story of Our Creativity
Charcoal, the black, porous char we use for grilling and drawing, has a surprisingly murky origin story in the world of words. While the earliest known use of "charcoal" appears in Middle English around 1400, the exact etymology is debated. One theory suggests it might be linked to the Old French word "charbon" for charcoal. Another theory breaks it down as "charred coal" from Middle English "charren" (to turn) and "cole" (coal). This ambiguity might stem from charcoal's long history – people likely used it well before the widespread use of mined coal.
Fast forward tens of thousands of years, and cave men were already using charcoal to create their iconic cave paintings. These early artists weren't limited to charcoal though. Ochre, a naturally occurring mineral in various colors, was also ground up and used as a paint-like substance. Compared to the vast array of colors and permanence offered by modern paints, these early materials were limited. Yet, they served as powerful tools for storytelling and expression on the rough canvas of cave walls. The social and cultural significance of these paintings remains a topic of debate and fascination, offering a glimpse into the minds of our distant ancestors.
Moving on to other writing tools, we can see similar threads of history woven into their names. "Crayon," from the 16th-century French word for "chalk pencil," reflects its waxy, pigment-based nature. Chalk itself comes from the Old French term linked to the Latin word for "lime," hinting at its mineral composition. Pen, derived directly from the Latin word for "feather quill," is a clear reference to the writing instrument it replaced.
The path gets more interesting with "pencil." Originally derived from the Old French word for "paintbrush," it shifted to refer to the small brushes used for applying graphite, then called "black lead." This highlights the evolution of writing tools as technology progressed.
While all these tools – charcoal, crayon, chalk, pencil, and pen – share the core function of leaving a mark, their names paint a vivid picture of their origins and the materials used. "Crayon" stands out for directly referencing its function, while others like "charcoal" hint at a debated history. From Latin roots to French influences, the etymology of these writing tools reflects the ongoing human quest for tools to create and express ourselves. This journey continues today, with pens, pencils, and even digital tools like keyboards and styluses becoming the modern extensions of our creative impulses. However, it's important to consider the environmental impact of some modern tools. Mass production of certain materials and the constant churn of new technology can create waste. As we continue to develop new writing tools, finding a balance between innovation and sustainability becomes an important consideration.
The passage mentions limitations of cave painting materials. Do you think these limitations influenced the artistic styles or choices of cave painters? How might the impermanence or lack of color variety have shaped their work?
The etymology of "pencil" highlights the evolution of writing tools. Can you think of other examples where the name of a modern tool reflects an earlier version it replaced? Are there any potential drawbacks to these names persisting?
The passage concludes by mentioning the environmental impact of some modern writing tools. What are some potential solutions or strategies to balance innovation in writing tools with environmental sustainability?
VOCABULARY
Learning aim: active learn and practice using adjectives to talk about writing tools (10–15 minutes)
Match the words on the left with their definitions on the right
Adjectives
black, porous (Paragraph 1)
naturally (Paragraph 2)
waxy (Paragraph 3)
mineral (Paragraph 3)
feather (Paragraph 3)
black (Paragraph 3)
digital, modern (Paragraph 5)
Nouns
Graphite
Chalk
Charcoal
Crayon
Ochre
Pen
Tools
WRITING Writing summaries
Learning aim: write a summary reflecting the main points of the original text (40–50 minutes)
🅰 Read the article and mark the main points.
What is a summary?
A shorter version of a text which only includes its most important points.
Think about instances in which summaries are useful (e.g. movie or book reviews or note taking).
When writing a summary, you should use your own words, not copy sentences exactly from the original text. Of course, a summary should be shorter than the original text.
When you write a summary, state in your own words the main points of a text, leaving out most of the supporting details. The summary must accurately reflect the ideas of the original text.
🅱 Read the summary. Some main points from the article are not included. What are they?
Summary
This passage explores the history of writing tools, from the debated origins of "charcoal" to the clear reference of "pen" to its feather quill predecessor. By analyzing the etymology of these tools, we gain insights into the materials used throughout history, like the minerals in "chalk" or the waxy nature of "crayon." This journey of creative expression continues today with modern tools, but it's important to consider the environmental impact as we develop new ways to leave our mark.
The omitted main points from the article based on this summary are:
Cave Paintings: The summary skips the mention of cave paintings and the early materials used like ochre alongside charcoal.
Evolution of "Pencil": The interesting etymology of "pencil" shifting from "paintbrush" is not mentioned.
Limitations of Cave Painting Materials: The point about the limitations of cave painting materials compared to modern tools is missing.
Focus on Creative Expression: The summary downplays the passage's emphasis on the human desire for creative expression throughout history.
The summary focuses on the historical aspect and environmental impact, while omitting some details about the analysis and the role of creative expression in the development of writing tools.
C Pair work Find an article on writing tools or a related topic. Then choose an important paragraph, and write the main idea. Compare with your partner.
D Write a summary of all or part of the article in one or more paragraphs.
Sample
The passage explores the fascinating connection between the etymology of writing tools and the materials they're made from. It delves into the history of "charcoal," highlighting the ambiguity surrounding its origins and hinting at its use long before widespread coal use. Traveling back further, we encounter cave paintings, where charcoal and ochre served as the early tools for artistic expression, albeit with limitations compared to modern materials.
The analysis then moves on to other writing tools, like "crayon" reflecting its waxy composition, "chalk" hinting at its mineral origins, and "pen" directly referencing the feather quill it replaced. "Pencil" offers a unique story, evolving from a term for "paintbrush" to describe the tool used for applying graphite.
Ultimately, the passage emphasizes how the names of these tools act as historical markers, revealing their materials and reflecting the ongoing human quest for creative expression. This journey continues today with modern tools like pens, pencils, and digital devices, but a reminder is included about the environmental impact of some modern tools and the need to balance innovation with sustainability.
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