boktitel

Boktitel is the term used to describe the title of a book. It serves as the primary identifier of the work and is central to publishing, marketing, and bibliographic records. The boktitel typically appears on the cover, spine, and title page, and it is used by readers, booksellers, and libraries to identify and locate the work.

Etymology and usage variations: The word combines elements meaning “book” and “title” in several Germanic languages. In Dutch, the equivalent term is often boektitel, while in Norwegian a similar form is boktittel. While the exact spelling varies by language, the concept remains the same: a concise textual label that names the work.

Function and form: The boktitel signals the content or scope of the book and contributes to its branding. Many titles include a main part and an accompanying subtitle that clarifies genre, subject, or scope. Title length, imagery, and stylistic choices can influence reader perception and market appeal.

Bibliographic context: In library catalogs and bibliographies, the boktitel is a key access point. Metadata fields capture the title as it appears on the title page, along with any amendments across editions, languages, or formats. Translated or alternate titles may be recorded separately to aid discovery in different markets.

Examples: Titles such as The Silent City or Der Schatten des Tages illustrate how a boktitel can stand alone or be paired with a subtitle to convey more information about the work.

See also: Title page, Subtitle, Title case, Bibliographic data, Cataloging rules.