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The Geography of Languages and Religions

Explore the importance of language and religion in shaping human cultures, linguistic geography, language regions, and the geography of writing. Discover the major languages and religions of the world, including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Buddhism.

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The Geography of Languages and Religions

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  1. Introduction to GeographyPeople, Places, and Environment, 4eEdward F. BergmanWilliam H. Renwick Chapter 7: The Geography of Languages and Religions Victoria Alapo, Instructor Geog 1010

  2. Language & Religion • The two most important forces that bond and define human cultures • Linguistic Geography – The study of different dialects across space • Many Social Scientists believe that Language is the most important cultural index. • It structures an individual’s perception of world

  3. Defining Language • Language is a major difference in pattern of communication e.g. English, Yoruba, French, etc. • Dialects • Minor variations in pattern within a language. E.g. Pidgin English, American English, British English – differenttypes of the same language. • Official Language • One in which official records are kept & govt. business is done. Includes formal education and signage.

  4. Language Regions • Lingua Franca • Common language used in a country (especially in a country with different native languages). This common language sometimes cuts across international borders; so it could also be a current language of international discourse. • E.g. Swahili, English, Arabic, Hausa, French, etc • Polyglot states • Having multiple official languages e.g. India, Canada, Belgium, S/Africa. • National Languages • Tied to justone country, e.g. Icelandic, Japanese; & Nepali

  5. American English: Should it be the Official Language? • U.S. Constitution did not specify language • U.S. House and Senate disagree • However, English has always been lingua franca • Dedication to common language (patriotism) or resentment of changing immigration trends?

  6. World’s Major Languages • There are more than 3,000 distinct languages worldwide (and 1,000 of those are in Africa alone). • Mother tongues – your 1st or native language. • 50% of the world population speaks one of 12 major languages listed on next slide. Mandarin Chinese has the largest number of speakers. Why? • English is the primary language of at least 350 million people and is the official language of about 50 countries • Postcolonial societies (see further slides) • Imposed official languages by colonial ruler • Not always spoken by all locals

  7. Geography of Writing • Orthography • System of writing • Sumerians (3000 B.C.), Egyptian (3000 B.C.), Chinese (1300 B.C.), Olmec People of Central America (650 B.C.) • Alphabets • Roman • Cyrillic – offshoot of Greek • Arabic • Non-alphabetic • Chinese, Japanese, Korean

  8. “Geography” in many languages, pg 268

  9. Toponymy • This is the study of place names -- see next 2 slides. • Consists of, or records these: • Natural features • Origins/values of inhabitants • Belief structures, religions • Current or past heroes

  10. World’s Major Religions • Systems of beliefs guiding behavior • Fundamentalism – strictest adherence to beliefs. • Secularism – ignores/ excludes religious considerations.

  11. Actually, parts of the map are not very correct if you go by Table 7-3, which is more factual.

  12. Judaism • 14 million adherents, including Black Jews in Ethiopia! (A reminder of both oral and written history!) • Monotheistic • Pentateuch • First five books of the Old Testament • Sects (know these) • Orthodox, Conservative, Reform • Israel • Homeland for Jewish people • Re-created 1948 • Resulted in conflict between Israel and Palestine

  13. Christianity • Emerged from Judaism • Coptic Church • Founded in Alexandria in A.D. 41 • Now found mainly in Egypt and Ethiopia (if curious, see Acts chapter 8. The story about the Ethiopian Eunuch). • Official religion of Roman Empire • Facilitated its geographical spread • Dark Ages – church was the focus of life. Time when Church & State were one and the same. • Protestant Reformation – Martin Luther. • Significant growth in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

  14. Islam • Muhammad • Allah • Five Pillars of Islam • Belief in one God • Five daily prayers • Generous alms • Fasting during Ramadan • Pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj) • Main Sects • Sunni, Shiite • Others – Wahhabi, Sufi, etc

  15. Hinduism • Hinduism • Most ancient religious tradition in Asia • Vedas – Hindu sacred texts • Belief in reincarnation • Diet (cows/ beef not allowed) • Castes (hierarchy) • Brahman, priestly • Kshatriya, warrior • Vaisya, tradesman and farmer • Sudra, servant and laborer • The Untouchables /the Dalits (see video)

  16. Sikhism • Sikhism • Offshoot of Hinduism • Guru Nanak (founder), 1469-1539 • He tried to reconcile Hinduism & Islam, and opposed the caste system.

  17. Buddhism • Diffused from India; created by Buddha (the Enlightened One) • Also believe in reincarnation (Buddha was originally a Hindu). But he hated the Caste System. • Four Noble Truths of Buddhism • Life involves suffering • Cause of suffering is desire • Elimination of desire ends suffering • Right thinking and behavior eliminate desire • Nirvana – state of enlightenment – you stop coming back when you become “perfect”.

  18. Other Religions • Other Eastern Religions (read text for more info) • Confucianism • Taoism • Shinto • Animism and Shamanism (Traditional) • Animism • Belief in ubiquity of spirits or spiritual forces – gods and goddesses. • Shamanism • Shaman – Found in most parts of the world, e.g. in Siberia, and some Native American groups. Also, in Korea, South America, Africa, etc. This is where a medium goes into trances and believes they are communicating with the spirit world.

  19. Social & Political Impacts of Religion • Theocracy • Church rules directly e.g. the Vatican; many Islamic States. • Gender roles • Women’s rights – Christian vs. Islamic States • Diet • Vegetarians (Buddhists), pork (Muslims, Jews), beef (Hindus), alcohol (Muslims), etc • Ethics, morals, schools and institutions • Burial practices; concepts about the world’s origin • Relationship with nature (Exploitive approach – e.g. Capitalism; Adaptive approach – e.g. Buddhism)

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